Interlocking Panel Edges With Guiding Surfaces for Vertical Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel assembly technologies face challenges in ease of assembly and locking strength, particularly affecting edges with locking functions.
Innovation Solution
The panels are designed with guiding surfaces on the edges that facilitate vertical displacement and locking, including a tongue and groove system with multiple guiding surfaces to ensure correct alignment and enhanced locking strength, using thermoplastic materials for resilience and improved locking elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If panels are assembled by vertical displacement with locking elements, then locking strength is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to edge damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing guiding surfaces on the locking elements and in the locking grooves before the actual locking engagement occurs. These guiding surfaces pre-align the locking elements with their corresponding grooves during the approach phase, ensuring that the high-strength locking engagement happens only after proper alignment is achieved, thereby preventing edge damage while maintaining locking strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding surfaces act as an intermediary mechanism between the locking elements and the locking grooves. During assembly, these guiding surfaces facilitate the transition by providing a controlled interface that guides the locking elements into correct positioning before the final locking engagement, reducing direct stress and potential damage on the panel edges.
2Reliability
If multiple locking elements are used to increase locking strength, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function and guiding function into a single integrated structure. The locking elements are provided with guiding surfaces that are part of the same component, eliminating the need for separate guiding mechanisms. This integration maintains connection reliability through the locking elements while reducing overall structural complexity by combining multiple functions into one element.
3Manufacturing precision
If guiding surfaces are added to prevent edge damage, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing guiding surfaces only at specific critical locations on the locking elements - specifically at the portions that engage with the locking grooves. This localized approach improves alignment precision where it is most needed during assembly, while minimizing the overall manufacturing complexity by not requiring guiding surfaces across the entire component surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels including a first panel and a second panel. A first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second are configured to be locked together and assembled by a vertical displacement of the second edge relative the first edge. The first edge includes a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove at the second edge for locking in a horizontal and in the vertical direction. The first edge includes a tongue configured to cooperate with a tongue groove at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. An upper part of the first edge includes a first guiding surface, and a lower edge of the lower lip includes a second guiding surface. An upper part of the locking element 10 includes a third guiding surface, and a lower edge of the locking groove includes a fourth guiding surface.