Panel Locking Hook Profiles for Vertical Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor panel locking systems using hook profiles face limitations in versatility due to material constraints and unsatisfactory vertical locking effectiveness, particularly with flexible and elastic plastic materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elastic plastic material for the panel's core, such as thermoplastic polymers or soft PVC, with designed hook profiles that engage without initial deformation, allowing for increased undercut and flexibility to achieve a strong vertical lock, combined with a resilient snap-in tab for additional locking security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hook profiles are designed with undercut areas for vertical locking, then vertical locking effectiveness is improved, but elastic deformation is required which limits the degree of undercut
Solution Approach 1:
The hook profile is divided into distinct functional areas: locking areas with undercut for vertical locking, joining areas for horizontal connection, and a specifically designed bending web area. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter by specifying elastic plastic materials with particular properties (elongation at break ≥20%, tensile strength ≥10 N/mm²). This parameter change enables the material to withstand the elastic deformation required for undercut engagement while maintaining structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the plastic material is made harder and more brittle for structural integrity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the ability to undergo elastic deformation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hook profile has different local qualities: the locking areas are designed with specific geometries for engagement, the bending web is designed with appropriate thickness and geometry for elastic deformation, and the joining areas have complementary shapes. Each local area is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending web is pre-designed with specific geometric characteristics (thickness, length, positioning) that enable it to undergo controlled elastic deformation before the actual joining operation. This preliminary design ensures that the material can deform elastically during assembly without requiring excessive force.
3Strength
If the locking contour and form-fitting contour are pressed against each other to engage undercuts, then vertical locking is achieved, but significant elastic deformation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The hook profile is divided into distinct functional areas: locking areas with undercut for vertical locking, joining areas for horizontal connection, and a specifically designed bending web area. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter by specifying elastic plastic materials with particular properties (elongation at break ≥20%, tensile strength ≥10 N/mm²). This parameter change enables the material to withstand the elastic deformation required for undercut engagement while maintaining structural integrity.
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
This design enhances the variety of usable plastic materials and improves vertical locking efficacy, even with harder and more brittle plastics, by allowing for deeper undercut engagement and elastic deformation, ensuring secure panel connection without significant deformation of the hook profiles.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving hook has a bending web which is designed such that the width of the receiving opening can be increased by its elastic bendability
Implementation Method 2
The locking contour and the form-fitting contour are pressed against and past each other. This requires elastic deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel (1, 2, 27, 28) comprising a body (1', 2') with at least one plastic layer, complementary locking means (V) provided in pairs on opposing panel edges, at least one pair of locking means with hook profiles (H), namely a receiving hook (5) and, opposite it, a locking hook (6), with the proviso that the receiving hook (5) has a hook edge (8) located furthest from the body and a receiving recess (9) located closer to the body, wherein the receiving recess (9) is open towards the top (7), that the locking hook (6) is provided with a locking recess (11) located closer to the body and open towards the bottom, and has a locking shoulder (12) located furthest from the body, which fits into the receiving recess (9) of the receiving hook (5) in a vertical assembly direction.that the locking hook (6) has a joint surface (13) away from the body and a vertically acting locking contour (14) also away from the body, that the receiving hook (5) has a joint surface (15) closer to the body and a positive locking contour (16) also closer to the body, which positively engages with the locking contour (14) of the locking hook (6) away from the body so that a vertical locking action can be effected, that the locking hook (6) arranged closer to the body has a horizontal locking surface (17) on its locking shoulder (12), that the receiving hook (5) arranged farther from the body has a horizontal locking surface (18) in the receiving recess (9), that a narrowed receiving opening (19) is formed on the receiving hook (5) through which the locking shoulder (12) is inserted into the body in a substantially vertical joining direction (T). The recording recess (9) can be inserted,that the free end of the locking shoulder (12) is narrower than the width of the receiving opening (19) of the receiving hook (5), wherein the locking contour (14) furthest from the body of the locking hook (6) is recessed behind the plane of the joint surface (13) of the locking hook (6), that the form-fitting contour (16) closer to the body of the receiving hook (5) projects at least partially beyond the plane of the joint surface (15) of the receiving hook (5), that the locking shoulder (12) and the receiving opening (19) are designed such that, during an assembly movement without elastic deformation of the hook profiles (H), the shoulder end initially fits into the receiving opening (19) to such an extent that the horizontal locking surface (17) of the locking hook (6) makes contact with the horizontal locking surface (18) of the receiving hook (5) with part of its area, and that the receiving hook (5) has a bending web (20) which is designed such thatthat, due to its elastic bendability, the width of the receiving opening (19) can be increased so that the locking shoulder (12) can be fully inserted into the receiving recess (9) and, in addition, the locking contour (14) of the locking hook (6) fits into the form-fitting contour (16) of the receiving hook (5).