Herringbone Locking Plate Unit for Single-Type Horizontal Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herringbone flooring and wallboard assembly methods require distinguishing between different types of plates (A and B), leading to complex production, installation, and transportation processes, and suffer from low production efficiency and poor locking stability.

Innovation Solution

A herringbone locking plate unit with parallel long and short sides, featuring specific clamping structures that allow horizontal clamping, eliminating the need for distinguishing between plate types and enabling easy installation without vertical clamping, thus improving stability and reducing space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If A and B plates are used alternately for herringbone assembly, then the locking stability is improved, but the device complexity and installation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single type of plate that can function in multiple positions and orientations within the herringbone pattern. The plate is equipped with clamping structures on all four sides (first clamping structure on first long side, second clamping structure on second long side, third clamping structure on short sides), allowing any plate to connect with any adjacent plate regardless of position. This eliminates the need to distinguish between A and B plates while maintaining stable locking in all directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If jumping cutter is used to process longitudinal groove edges, then the production flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates with large jumping position error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidgroove positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the plate into distinct functional zones with specifically positioned clamping structures. Instead of using a flexible jumping cutter that creates positioning errors, the plate is pre-segmented with first, second, and third clamping structures located at precise positions on different sides. This segmentation ensures accurate engagement points while maintaining the ability to produce herringbone patterns through standardized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If vertical clamping is used for plate installation, then the locking strength is improved, but the space occupation increases and installation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidinstallation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from vertical clamping to horizontal clamping. The first, second, and third clamping structures are designed to engage in the horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical compression. This dimensional shift maintains strong locking through the horizontal clamping force while eliminating the need for vertical space occupation and complex installation procedures, allowing plates to be easily connected by simply pushing them together horizontally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4596807A1Herringbone locking board unit and joined board
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ZHEJIANG KINGDOM NEW MATERIAL GRP CO LTD
  • EP4596807A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4596807A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4596807A1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

A herringbone locking plate unit and a splicing plate are provided in the disclosure. The herringbone locking plate unit has a pair of long sides parallel to each other and a pair of short sides parallel to each other. The pair of long sides are a first side and a second side respectively, and the first side and the second side are respectively provided with a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure, and each short side is provided with a third clamping structure, and the first clamping structure can be clamped with the second clamping structure and the third clamping structure respectively along a horizontal direction, and the third clamping structure can be clamped with the second clamping structure along the horizontal direction. The splicing plate is formed by splicing at least four herringbone locking plate units.