Mechanical Locking Panels With Flexible Tongue for Stronger Corner Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices in furniture lack sufficient strength and stability, particularly at corners, which can lead to instability during assembly, transportation, and use, especially under pressure loads.
Innovation Solution
The use of panels with cores made of fibers arranged parallel to their main planes, combined with a mechanical locking device featuring an edge section groove and a flexible tongue, where the first panel's edge section groove has a greater thickness than the second panel's, and the flexible tongue is displaceable in an insertion groove, enhancing locking strength and stability without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical locking device with a flexible tongue is used to connect panels perpendicular to each other, then the assembly ease and tool-free installation are improved, but the strength and stability at corner joints are insufficient under pressure loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thicknesses of core material at different locations of the panel edges. Specifically, the edge section groove is formed with a first thickness that is greater than the minimum second thickness of the edge section. This local increase in thickness provides enhanced strength and stability at the corner joint location while maintaining the overall simplicity of the locking device structure.
2Strength
If the first panel edge section groove has greater thickness than the second panel edge section, then the stress distribution and locking strength are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the panel edge into different sections with different thickness requirements. The edge section groove has a first thickness that is greater than the minimum second thickness of the edge section where the flexible tongue engages. This segmentation allows the structure to be optimized for strength where needed while keeping other areas simpler.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly increases the strength and stability of assembled furniture products by distributing stress effectively and allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly, improving their structural integrity under load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove provided in the edge section groove of the first edge, wherein said flexible tongue cooperates with a tongue groove arranged at the edge section of the second edge of the second panel, for locking the first panel and the second panel in a second direction parallel to the second main plane
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels includes a first panel having a first main plane and a second panel having a second main plane. The panels are provided with a mechanical locking device for locking a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel. The mechanical locking device includes an edge section groove at the first edge, wherein an edge section of the second edge is insertable into the edge section groove. A flexible tongue is arranged in an insertion groove provided in the edge section groove, and cooperates with a tongue groove provided at the edge section of the second panel. A first thickness of a core material between the edge section groove and the outermost surface of the first edge is greater than a minimum second thickness of a core material of the edge section of the second panel.