Mechanical Panel Locking With Flexible Tongue for Stable Mitre Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices for furniture panels lack sufficient strength and stability, particularly at mitre joints, which can lead to instability and potential disassembly issues in assembled products.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking system comprising panels with a first edge featuring an edge tongue and a second edge with an edge groove, where the edge tongue is configured to cooperate with the edge groove for locking in one direction and a flexible tongue is arranged in an insertion groove for locking in a perpendicular direction, providing increased contact and locking surfaces, and utilizing a core material like wood fibre-based boards with decorative layers for enhanced strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mechanical locking device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and stability of the joint deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into two independent locking directions: a first locking direction handled by the edge tongue and edge groove, and a second locking direction handled by the flexible tongue in the insertion groove. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction, achieving strong locking in both directions without requiring an overly complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from single-direction locking to multi-directional locking by adding the flexible tongue that operates in a second direction perpendicular to the first locking direction. This dimensional expansion ensures the joint remains stable under stress from multiple directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Strength
If a rigid locking mechanism is used, then the joint strength is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tongue introduces dynamic characteristics to the locking mechanism. It can flex and deform during the assembly process to allow the panels to come together, then springs back to provide rigid locking. This dynamic behavior enables easy assembly while maintaining strong locking once assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tongue acts as a thin, flexible element that can deform during assembly to accommodate slight misalignments and then provides rigid locking force when engaged. This flexibility during assembly combined with rigidity during locking resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and locking strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locking surfaces are enlarged, then the joint stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tongue changes its physical state from a flexible, deformable condition during assembly to a rigid, locked condition when engaged. This parameter change allows the locking surface to be larger and more stable while being tolerant of manufacturing variations during the assembly process, as the flexible tongue can compensate for slight imprecisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels includes a first panel having a first main plane and a second panel having a second main plane. The panels are provided with a mechanical locking device for locking a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel. The mechanical locking device includes an edge groove at the first edge, wherein an edge tongue of the second edge is insertable into the edge groove. A flexible tongue is arranged in an insertion groove provided in the edge section groove, and cooperates with a tongue groove provided at the edge section of the second panel. The first and the second panels are locked at a junction plane which is extending between the first main plane and the second main plane. The first edge comprises an edge tongue that extends from the junction plane.