Interlocking Glue-Down Floor Tiles with Mechanical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glue-down flooring systems are difficult to install, require professional expertise, and suffer from issues like excess glue fouling and loosening over time due to glue degradation, leading to a less firm connection between tiles and the subfloor.
Innovation Solution
A glue-down decorative floor covering system featuring interlockable, flexible tiles with mechanical coupling parts on one pair of edges for easy alignment and installation, and a snap or click locking mechanism, combined with a PVC substrate layer for durability and resistance to degradation, allowing DIY installation and enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional glue-down flooring is used, then the floor is firmly attached to the subfloor, but the installation is difficult and requires professional expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into individual interlocking tiles with mechanical coupling parts, allowing modular installation without requiring professional glue application skills while maintaining firm attachment through the combination of mechanical interlocking and adhesive bonding
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical coupling parts act as an intermediary between the tiles and subfloor, providing immediate structural connection that guides proper installation, while glue serves as a secondary bonding agent that enhances long-term stability without requiring precise application
2Reliability
If excessive glue is applied during installation, then the tiles are securely bonded, but the glue fouls the upper surfaces of the tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling parts serve as an intermediary connection mechanism that provides immediate structural bonding without requiring excessive glue, thereby preventing glue from spreading to the upper tile surfaces while still achieving secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling parts are pre-formed on the tiles, allowing the tiles to be interlocked before glue application, which establishes the primary bonding structure and prevents glue migration to visible surfaces
3Reliability
If traditional glue-down flooring is used, then the floor is physically adhered to the subfloor, but the glue degrades over time causing loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system uses multiple individual mechanical coupling parts distributed across each tile, creating numerous discrete connection points that collectively provide superior long-term stability compared to continuous glue bonds that degrade uniformly over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines mechanical coupling parts (providing immediate structural integrity) with adhesive bonding (providing supplementary attachment), creating a composite connection system where the mechanical elements resist degradation that affects purely chemical adhesive bonds
4Ease of operation
If mechanical coupling parts are added to tiles, then alignment and installation are easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling parts are integrated directly into the tile structure itself, merging the tile body and coupling mechanism into a single unified component, thereby improving alignment ease without adding separate complex assembly elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a glue-down decorative floor covering system. The invention also relates to a glue-down floor covering realized by a plurality of tiles of the glue-down floor covering system according to the invention. The invention further relates to a tile for use in a glue-down floor covering system according to the invention.