Panel Edge Locking Surfaces for Easier, Stronger Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel assembly technologies face challenges in ease of assembly and locking strength, particularly in vertical and horizontal directions, with potential damage to locking edges.
Innovation Solution
The panels are designed with converging locking surfaces at angles that absorb loads through shorter moment arms, featuring guiding surfaces for easier assembly and improved locking strength, and include flexible tongues for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If locking surfaces are designed with larger contact area for stronger locking, then locking strength is improved, but friction during assembly increases making assembly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surfaces are designed with converging angled surfaces that create a wedge-like geometry. The first locking surface is angled at a first angle from a plane parallel to the first panel surface, and the second locking surface is angled at a second angle from a plane parallel to the third panel surface. These angled surfaces converge towards each other at the cooperation part, creating a geometric configuration that provides mechanical advantage for locking while controlling friction during assembly.
2Strength
If locking element geometry is optimized for stronger locking, then locking strength is improved, but the complexity of the locking element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: a first locking surface at a first angle from a plane parallel to the first panel surface, and a second locking surface at a second angle from a plane parallel to the third panel surface. These segmented surfaces each perform specific functions - the first locking surface engages with the second locking surface to provide locking strength, while the angles are optimized to control friction during assembly. This segmentation allows optimization of each surface independently.
3Strength
If locking surfaces are designed to maximize locking strength, then resistance to pulling apart force is improved, but the moment arm increases causing higher stress on locking surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The angles of the locking surfaces are carefully selected parameters that balance locking strength and stress distribution. The first locking surface is angled at a first angle from a plane parallel to the first panel surface, and the second locking surface is angled at a second angle from a plane parallel to the third panel surface. By optimizing these angular parameters, the design achieves strong resistance to pulling apart forces while keeping the moment arm sufficiently short to limit stress on the locking surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels including first and second panels. The first and second panels respectively include first and second edges. The first edge includes a locking strip with a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking the first edge to the second edge. The locking element includes a first locking surface at a first angle from a plane parallel to the first panel surface and the locking groove includes a second locking surface at a second angle from a plane parallel to the third panel surface. The first angle is different from the second angle such that the first locking surface converges towards the second locking surface at a cooperation part in a locked position. The first locking surface cooperates with the second locking surface at the cooperation part.