Herringbone Floor Panels With Mirrored Coupling Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor panel systems for herringbone patterns face challenges in smooth installation and solid coupling, leading to potential height differences, gaps, and cracks, which affect visual appeal and durability.
Innovation Solution
The use of oblong rectangular floor panels with specific mechanical coupling parts on long and short edges, where one long edge has a male coupling part and the other a female, and vice versa, allowing for a single turning movement for coupling, providing horizontal and vertical locking, and minimizing the risk of height differences and gaps through inclined locking elements and inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coupling parts are applied on both long and short edges with the same configuration, then the installation process is simplified, but the installation smoothness in herringbone pattern deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coupling part configurations to different edges of the floor panel. Specifically, the long edges have coupling parts optimized for longitudinal coupling while the short edges have coupling parts optimized for transverse coupling in herringbone patterns. This local differentiation allows each edge to have the specific coupling characteristics needed for its intended function, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and installation smoothness.
2Ease of operation
If a single turning movement is used for coupling, then the installation process is simplified, but height differences and gaps between panels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple functional elements: a turning movement component for rotation, a downward movement component for vertical engagement, and locking elements for securing. This segmentation allows the single turning movement to be broken down into coordinated rotational and vertical components, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving precise height alignment through the interactive action of these segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate coupling elements between the floor panels that mediate the coupling process. These intermediate elements facilitate the single turning movement while simultaneously controlling the vertical engagement to prevent height differences. The intermediary components act as buffers that coordinate the rotational and vertical movements, ensuring both ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If coupling parts are designed for strong locking, then the coupling stability improves, but the installation smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling parts are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to adapt during the installation process. The locking elements are positioned and configured to engage smoothly during the turning movement, providing strong locking only after proper alignment is achieved. This dynamic design ensures that the coupling mechanism transitions smoothly from installation to locked state, maintaining both installation smoothness and coupling stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for installing a set of panels, wherein this set consists at least of two types of panels (1A-1B); wherein the coupling parts of the one type of panels on one pair of edges are mirrored in respect to the coupling parts of the other type of panels at that same pair; and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: - forming a first row by coupling panels of the first type to panels of the second type, short edge against long edge; and - forming at least a second row at the first row by coupling panels of the one type to panels of the other type, short edge against long edge, wherein the panels of the second row are installed by means of a single turning movement.