Modular Flooring Tile with Interlocking Clips and Detachable Channel Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access flooring systems are poorly suited for temporary applications in exhibitions and events, as they require adhesion to the substrate for stability, are higher than optimal, and complicate the installation and reconfiguration of cabling services, while also necessitating specialist tradespeople for installation.
Innovation Solution
A modular flooring tile with a load-bearing base component and detachable channel cover, manufactured from resilient polymers, which interlocks with adjacent modules to form a continuous floor with services channels, allowing easy access and reconfiguration of cabling without adhesion, featuring module connector clips and retaining formations to secure the cover and prevent disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If adhesion to substrate is used for stability, then stability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into modular tiles that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each tile contains integrated connector clips that enable mechanical interlocking without adhesion, allowing rapid assembly and disassembly while maintaining stability through the modular configuration and interlocking mechanism.
2Quantity of substance
If deep-void pedestal structure is used for service capacity, then service capacity is improved, but height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service channels are integrated into the planar configuration of the tile itself rather than requiring vertical depth. The cruciform channel formation is created within the flat tile structure, allowing cable routing in multiple directions (lateral and longitudinal) without increasing the vertical height of the flooring system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If permanent floor installation is used, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system transitions from a permanent fixed installation to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The connector clips are designed to be easily engaged and disengaged, allowing tiles to be moved, repositioned, and reconfigured as needed. The detachable channel covers further enable dynamic access and modification of service routes without permanent installation.
4Strength
If integrated channel cover is used, then structural integrity is improved, but cable access difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel cover is segmented into detachable portions that can be easily removed to access the cruciform service channels. This segmentation maintains the structural integrity of the overall tile when assembled, while providing simple access to cables through the removable cover sections, eliminating the need for complex cutting or permanent modification.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flooring module (100) for forming a temporary access floor comprises a base component (1) defining a cruciform channel formation (3, 4) for receiving cabling or the like. The channels (3, 4) have a floor (1A) defined by the base component and a removable channel cover (2). The channel cover (2) comprises one or more channel cover components for covering the channel formation, such that the channel formation and channel cover may combine to provide a closed channel for the cabling or the like. Removal of the cover (2) allows access to the channel formation from above, in use. The sides of the base component (1) define module connector clips (20, 21) for engaging with corresponding module connector clips on adjacent modules to lock the modules together in an array. The base component (1) defines retaining formations (13, 14) for engaging with and retaining the channel cover components over the channel formation. The channel cover (2) engages against one or more of the module connector clips (20, 21) when in the clips are in the closed position so as to limit deflection of the module connector clips (20, 21) and thus prevent disengagement of the module clips from the module clips of an adjacent flooring module in an array of flooring modules. The sides of the module preferably also include a plurality of levelling clips (41, 42) which define upward and downward facing engagement faces to prevent vertical misalignment of the modules.