Modular Floor Tile With Flexible Locking And Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synthetic flooring products lack impact-absorbing characteristics, leading to increased fatigue and injury from activities on rigid surfaces, and existing locking devices for modular flooring components are deficient in terms of flexibility and ease of connection.
Innovation Solution
A modular floor tile design featuring a top surface with rib members, a support system with primary and secondary support posts, and a locking mechanism that allows for flexible displacement of protrusions, enabling the tile to absorb impact and connect adjacent tiles effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic floor tiles are made from rigid or semi-rigid material to provide firm surface and friction, then ball-bounce characteristics and friction are improved, but impact absorbing characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The floor tile is divided into multiple functional layers: a rigid top surface layer for friction and ball-bounce characteristics, and a separate support system with flexible arms and springs beneath for impact absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A support system acting as an intermediary layer is introduced between the rigid top surface and the base. This support system includes flexible arms and springs that mediate the transmission of forces, allowing the rigid top surface to maintain its friction and bounce characteristics while the support system absorbs impact forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If locking system uses rigid connection to secure adjacent tiles, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system employs dynamic elements including flexible walls that can deform during insertion, and spring mechanisms that provide controlled resistance. The flexible walls allow the locking components to adapt to minor misalignments and provide gradual engagement, making the connection process easier while maintaining stability once locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system utilizes changes in material properties under load, where flexible walls transition from a flexible state during insertion to a rigid state during locking. Spring elements change from a compressed state during insertion to an extended state during locking, providing both ease of operation and connection stability through parameter changes.
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 design enhances impact absorption, reduces fatigue and injury by allowing the tile to flex under load, and facilitates easy and secure connection of tiles, improving both safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A locking system allows for flexible displacement of a laterally extending protrusion having a flexible wall while placing a downward facing protrusion therein
Implementation Method 2
The design enhances impact absorption, reduces fatigue and injury by allowing the tile to flex under load
Data Source
AI summary
A modular floor tile is disclosed having a top surface. A plurality of edge surfaces defines a perimeter about the top surface and a support system is disposed at least partially beneath the top surface. A locking system allows for flexible displacement of a laterally extending protrusion having a flexible wall while placing a downward facing protrusion therein and/or allows for flexible displacement of the flexible walls of a downward facing protrusion while placing said downward facing protrusion into the laterally extending protrusion.