Mirror-Inverted Floorboard Joints for Herringbone Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical joint systems for floating floors restrict pattern layouts to parallel rows, preventing the creation of advanced patterns like herringbone or diamond designs, as they lack the ability to lock floorboards both horizontally and vertically through snapping or angling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of mirror-inverted joint systems on floorboards, allowing for locking in both directions by snapping-in and inward angling, with two types of boards (A and B) having opposing connecting means on their edges, enabling the creation of advanced patterns by allowing floorboards to be joined long side against short side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical joint systems are used for floating floors, then installation is simple and quick, but pattern layouts are restricted to parallel rows only
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system is segmented into two distinct types (Type A and Type B) with different locking configurations. Type A boards have locking means on long sides only, while Type B boards have locking means on short sides only. This segmentation enables versatile pattern layouts including herringbone and diamond patterns while maintaining simple mechanical installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint system employs asymmetric design where Type A and Type B boards have non-identical locking configurations. Type A boards lock along long sides while Type B boards lock along short sides, creating an asymmetric system that enables advanced patterns. This asymmetry resolves the contradiction by allowing pattern versatility without compromising installation simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mirror-inverted joint systems with dual-directional locking are implemented, then advanced patterns like herringbone can be created, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system achieves universality by designing Type A and Type B boards to work together in multiple pattern configurations. The same two board types can create parallel rows, herringbone patterns, diamond patterns, and other advanced layouts. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each pattern type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses mirror-inverted configurations where Type B boards are essentially Type A boards with locking means inverted to the short sides. This inversion principle allows the same basic locking mechanism design to be reused in both board types, reducing design complexity while enabling pattern versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two different types of floorboards with opposing connecting means are used, then locking in both horizontal and vertical directions is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Type B floorboards are manufactured by inverting the locking means configuration of Type A boards. Instead of designing entirely new locking mechanisms, the system reuses the same locking design inverted to the short sides for Type B boards. This inversion approach significantly reduces manufacturing complexity while enabling dual-directional locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric design concentrates manufacturing complexity into a single board type (Type A), while Type B boards are simpler inverted versions. This asymmetric manufacturing strategy reduces overall production complexity compared to manufacturing two equally complex symmetric board types.
Data Source
AI summary
A flooring includes rectangular floorboards with long sides and short sides, the floorboards being joined in a herringbone pattern, long side to long side and long side to short side, wherein the floorboards have a surface layer of laminate, and the long sides of the floorboards have pairs of opposing mechanical connectors which at least allow locking-together both horizontally and vertically by inward angling.