Integrated Tongue Mechanical Locking System for Building Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical locking systems for building panels require separate tongues and specialized machines for precise positioning, complicating production and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A method where the tongue is formed and integrated into the edge of the building panel, using mechanical cutting tools to create an insertion groove and displace the tongue, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying production equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate tongue is used in the locking system, then the locking function is achieved, but the production complexity increases and specialized inserting machines are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the separate tongue component with the panel edge by forming the tongue directly from the panel material through mechanical cutting. This integration eliminates the need for separate tongue parts and specialized inserting machines, while maintaining the locking function through the formed tongue structure that engages with the tongue groove

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate tongue is used in the locking system, then the locking function is achieved, but additional parts and specialized machines are required for positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidproduction simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue is merged with the panel edge as a single integrated structure formed during panel manufacturing. This eliminates additional parts and simplifies production by using standard mechanical cutting tools instead of specialized inserting equipment, while ensuring precise positioning through the forming process itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the tongue is formed from the panel edge material, then production is simplified and equipment requirements are reduced, but the tongue must be displaced into the insertion groove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoiddisplacement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue is pre-formed at the panel edge during manufacturing, but remains in a preliminary position connected to the edge. The displacement into the insertion groove is then performed as a separate preliminary action before assembly, allowing the tongue to be properly positioned for locking function while maintaining production simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10794065B2Method for producing a mechanical locking system for building panels

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 VÄLINGE INNOVATION AB

AI summary

Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system including a tongue, at first edge of a first building panel, cooperating with a tongue groove, at a second edge of an adjacent second building panel, for vertical locking of the building panels and a method for producing such building panels. The method includes the step of forming the tongue of material of the first edge. The insertion groove may have a sidewall at a third edge, which is adjacent the first edge, and may be open at a fourth edge, which is opposite the third edge.