Mechanical Locking Panels With Tool-Free Edge Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking systems for building panels require a tool for easy disassembly, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking device with a flexible tongue positioned in an insertion groove and cooperating with a tongue groove, allowing for easy disassembly by applying forces adjacent the panel edges, without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical locking system with a resilient tongue is used to lock panels vertically, then the locking strength and stability are improved, but the ease of disassembly deteriorates as tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient tongue is divided into three functional segments: a first edge part with a curved surface for force application, a central part for locking engagement, and a second edge part. This segmentation allows different portions of the tongue to perform different functions, enabling both strong locking and tool-free disassembly by applying force to the first edge part.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is designed to be self-releasing through elastic deformation. When force is applied to the first edge part of the resilient tongue, it deforms elastically to disengage from the tongue groove, allowing the panels to be separated without external tools. The system uses its own elastic properties to facilitate disassembly.
2Reliability
If a separate resilient tongue is inserted into a displacement groove for locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient tongue is integrated as part of the panel structure rather than being a completely separate component. The tongue is inserted into a displacement groove and locked in position, merging the locking function with the panel edge structure. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable locking through the tongue-groove engagement.
3Ease of operation
If the tongue is made resilient and elastic for automatic locking, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the control over disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient tongue is designed with specific dynamic characteristics, including a curved surface at the first edge part that allows controlled elastic deformation. During assembly, the tongue naturally springs back to lock. During disassembly, applying force to the curved surface controls the deformation to trigger unlocking. This dynamic design provides both easy assembly and controlled disassembly.
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
Enables easy and tool-free disassembly of panels by displacing the third edge of one panel relative to the other, effectively unlocking the mechanical locking device.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tongue, which is positioned in an insertion groove at the first edge of the first panel and a tongue groove at the second edge of the second panel, wherein the flexible tongue is of an elongated shape
Implementation Method 2
when in the locked position a force is applied adjacent the first edge and the third edge of the first panel and another force is optionally applied adjacent the second edge and the third edge of the second panel, the first edge part is pushed towards a bottom surface of the insertion groove
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels each including a main surface, a first edge, an opposite second edge, a third edge which is adjacent to the first edge and a fourth edge which is opposite to the third edge. The set includes a mechanical locking device which is configured to lock the first edge to the second edge. The locking device includes a flexible tongue. The flexible tongue includes a central part configured to cooperate with a tongue groove for locking. A first edge part and the tongue groove are configured such that when in the locked position a force P′ is applied adjacent the first edge and the third edge of the first panel and another force P is applied adjacent the second edge and the third edge of the second panel, the first edge part is pushed towards a bottom surface of an insertion groove which allows a disassembling.