Panels comprising a mechanical locking device and an assembled product comprising the panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices in furniture assembly lack sufficient strength and stability, particularly at mitre joints, leading to potential instability and weakness in assembled products.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking system comprising panels with a first edge featuring an edge tongue and a second edge with an edge groove, where the edge tongue is configured to cooperate with the edge groove for locking in two directions, providing large contact surfaces and increased rigidity, and utilizing a flexible tongue in an insertion groove for enhanced stability, with specific surface angles and recesses to improve locking strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mechanical locking device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and stability of the joint deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into two independent locking directions: edge tongue-edge groove for locking in the first direction (parallel to junction plane), and flexible tongue-tongue groove for locking in the second direction (perpendicular to junction plane). This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one locking direction, achieving strong bidirectional locking without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from single-direction locking to two-directional locking by adding the flexible tongue component that operates in the second direction (perpendicular to junction plane), complementing the edge tongue-edge groove mechanism that locks in the first direction (parallel to junction plane). This dimensional expansion ensures stability against forces from multiple directions.
2Device complexity
If a single-direction locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability against multi-directional forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tongue is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adapt to assembly tolerances and panel deformations. The flexibility enables the tongue to bend during insertion and maintain continuous contact with the tongue groove, ensuring stable locking in the second direction while accommodating variations in panel dimensions and angles.
3Ease of manufacture
If small contact surfaces are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the locking strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking strength is enhanced by merging multiple contact surfaces: the edge tongue and edge groove provide large contact surfaces for locking in the first direction, while the flexible tongue and tongue groove provide additional contact surfaces for locking in the second direction. The combination of these merged contact surfaces distributes locking forces across multiple interfaces, increasing overall joint strength.
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
The solution significantly enhances the strength and stability of assembled furniture products by providing a robust locking mechanism that maintains stability and prevents movement at the junction plane, even with varying panel thicknesses and materials like wood fibre-based boards.
Implementation Method 1
The edge tongue comprises a tongue groove and the edge groove comprises a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove, said flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove for locking together the first and the second edges in a second direction which is perpendicular to the junction 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 groove at the first edge, wherein an edge tongue of the second edge is insertable into the edge 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. The first and the second panels are locked at a junction plane which is extending between the first main plane and the second main plane. The first edge comprises an edge tongue that extends from the junction plane.