Interlocking Panel Joint Profile for Stable Downward Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel coupling systems face issues with reliable long-term locking, as they tend to release over time due to slight rotations, and struggle to balance easy joining with secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
The panel design features a joint profile with a downward projecting locking part and an upward projecting locking part, where the second point of contact is located higher than the first, with flat but inclined surfaces for secure engagement, and curved surfaces for smooth joining, ensuring stable material contact and resistance against material tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a downward projecting locking part and upward projecting locking part are used to enable easy joining by downward movement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to tendency to release over time from slight rotations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two separate locking parts (downward projecting and upward projecting) that perform different functions. The downward projecting locking part engages with the upward projecting locking part to prevent lateral separation, while the upward projecting locking part engages with the downward projecting locking part to prevent rotation and release over time. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in preventing specific failure modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking parts are designed with asymmetric geometries where the downward projecting locking part has a specific profile that complements the upward projecting locking part. The asymmetric shapes ensure proper engagement orientation and prevent both lateral separation and rotational movement, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining ease of joining through the designed movement direction.
2Reliability
If vertically active locking portions with multiple contact points are used to prevent panel drift, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking portions are merged into a single integrated coupling structure. The downward projecting locking part and upward projecting locking part are formed as continuous integral structures from the panel edges, combining multiple contact points and locking functions into unified components. This merging maintains reliability against panel drift while reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the vertically active locking portions prevent lateral drift, the downward and upward projecting parts enable easy joining and prevent rotation, and the overall structure provides mechanical interlocking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel, which, at two opposite edges, is provided with coupling parts that allow joining by a downward movement, the coupling parts including a male part that fits in a female part, wherein vertically active locking portions are provided at opposite sides of the male part and female part, wherein these locking portions are located at different distances from an upper side of the panels.