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 specific guiding surfaces and locking elements that facilitate vertical displacement and horizontal locking, incorporating tongue and groove configurations with guiding surfaces to enhance assembly and locking strength, and include resilient materials like thermoplastic cores for improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If panels are assembled by vertical displacement with tongue and groove connection, then locking strength in vertical direction is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning edges
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surfaces are pre-configured on the locking elements and locking grooves before assembly occurs. These surfaces perform the preliminary action of guiding and aligning the panel edges during the approach phase, ensuring that the tongue and groove elements are properly positioned before the locking engagement takes place, thereby facilitating easier assembly while maintaining strong locking
2Reliability
If locking elements are designed for strong horizontal and vertical locking, then reliability of connection is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides both horizontal locking through its engagement with the locking groove and vertical locking through its interaction with the tongue groove. The guiding surfaces are incorporated directly onto the locking element, combining alignment and locking functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable multi-directional locking
3Object-affected harmful factors
If guiding surfaces are added to prevent edge damage during assembly, then protection of locking surfaces is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surfaces are pre-formed on the locking elements and locking grooves during the manufacturing process. These surfaces perform the preliminary function of directing and controlling the engagement between panel edges, preventing misalignment and reducing stress concentrations that could cause edge damage. By incorporating the guiding surfaces as integral features rather than separate components, the additional manufacturing steps are minimized
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A set of panels including a first panel (1) and a second panel (2). 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 (10) of the second edge relative the first edge. The first edge includes a locking element (5) configured to cooperate with a locking groove (4) at the second edge for locking in a horizontal and in the vertical direction. The first edge includes a tongue (3) configured to cooperate with a tongue groove (6) at the second edge for locking in a vertical direction. An upper part of the first edge includes a first guiding surface (11) and a lower edge of the lower lip includes a second guiding surface. An upper part of the locking element includes a third guiding surface (12) and a lower edge of the locking groove includes a fourth guiding surface.