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 are prone to issues such as tile misalignment and glue degradation leading to a less firm connection over time.
Innovation Solution
A glue-down decorative floor covering system featuring interlockable, flexible floor tiles with mechanical coupling parts at specific edges, allowing for easy alignment and installation without excess glue fouling, and providing a durable locking mechanism in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glue-down flooring is used to provide firm attachment to subfloor, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult installation requiring professional expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into individual tiles with mechanical coupling parts at the edges. These coupling parts include tongues and grooves that enable easy interlocking of adjacent tiles during installation, eliminating the need for professional expertise while maintaining firm attachment through the combination of mechanical coupling and glue application at specific locations
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling parts (tongues and grooves) are pre-formed on the tiles during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the tiles to be easily aligned and interconnected during installation without requiring complex procedures, while the glue is applied in advance at specific locations to ensure proper bonding when tiles are interlocked
2Reliability
If excessive glue is applied during installation, then reliability is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to glue fouling the upper surfaces of tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The tile design incorporates specific structural features such as tongues and grooves that localize the glue application to specific areas (the coupling parts at the edges). This ensures that glue is applied only where needed for bonding, preventing it from spreading to and fouling the upper surfaces of the tiles, while still providing reliable connection firmness at the critical bonding locations
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional glue-down flooring is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates over time due to glue degradation leading to loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The tiles are manufactured with built-in mechanical coupling parts (tongues and grooves) that provide immediate structural support and alignment during installation. This beforehand cushioning means that even if the glue degrades over time, the mechanical interlocking structure maintains the connection between tiles and subfloor, preventing loosening and ensuring long-term reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple
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.