Panel Groove Spring Mechanism for Floor Covering Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panel connection systems for floor coverings face challenges in minimizing the height offset at butt joints due to the inherent play required for tongue displacement, which can lead to gaps and damage during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical connection system using panels with horizontally oriented grooves and tongues, featuring a spring mechanism with a projection that displaces transversely to engage with a locking section, minimizing height offset by ensuring precise alignment and secure locking without the need for manual hammering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a tongue and groove connection system is used with manual hammering for assembly, then the panels can be connected mechanically, but damage to the floor panels can occur and height offset at butt joints increases
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic insert is introduced as an intermediary element between the tongue and groove connection elements. This insert absorbs the impact forces during hammering and distributes them evenly, preventing direct damage to the panel surfaces while maintaining effective mechanical connection. The insert acts as a buffer that mediates between the assembly force and the panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic insert is pre-installed in the groove before the tongue is inserted and hammered into place. This beforehand cushioning prepares the connection area to absorb upcoming impact forces, preventing damage before it occurs. The insert is positioned in advance to ensure proper force distribution during the assembly process.
2Ease of operation
If play is provided in the tongue to enable displacement into the groove, then the tongue can be inserted, but height offset in the butt joint area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic insert changes the physical parameters of the groove receptacle, providing controlled compliance that allows tongue displacement while maintaining precise final positioning. The insert's material properties enable it to deform elastically during insertion, accommodating the necessary play, then rebound to maintain precise alignment and minimize height offset in the finished joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic insert is pre-positioned in the groove to cushion and control the tongue's displacement during insertion. It absorbs the initial impact and guides the tongue into proper alignment, ensuring that the necessary play for insertability does not result in excessive height offset. The insert prepares the receiving groove to accommodate the tongue's movement while maintaining precision.
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 system effectively minimizes the height offset at butt joints, ensuring a secure and damage-free assembly process by utilizing a spring mechanism that aligns and locks panels with minimal play, providing a stable and efficient connection.
Implementation Method 1
the projection is intended to be displaced transversely to the laying plane of the panels upon contact with this area of the groove cheek
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering comprising panels that can be connected to each other mechanically, and having the following characteristics: - adjacent first and second panels (1, 2) each having a groove (6, 14) on the sides (5, 21) thereof that are complementary to each other, - the grooves (6, 14) each have upper and lower groove sides (7, 8; 17, 26) having different lengths, - in one of the grooves (6, 14) a spring (9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is arranged that can be moved relative to the panel (1, 2) at least in parts, said spring is suitable for engaging in the corresponding groove (6, 14) of the adjacent panel (1, 2) when the adjacent panels (1, 2) are connected, - the spring (9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) has at least one projection (16, 33, 42, 43), which points in the direction of the area of the longer groove sides (7, 17) of the other groove (6, 14) that protrudes relative to the shorter groove sides (8, 26), - the projection (16, 33, 42, 43) is intended to be moved transversely to the laying plane ( ) of the panels (1, 2) in the event of contact with said area of the groove side (7, 17), wherein the projection (16, 33, 42, 43) is operatively connected to a locking section (13, 29, 32, 35, 41, 47) of the spring (9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), said locking section can be moved in the direction of the groove (6, 14) of the adjacent panel (1, 2) as a result of the motion of the projection (16, 33, 42, 43).