Panel Locking Spring Inclination for Damage-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-format panels with thin plastic cores are prone to damage during handling due to their delicate locking mechanisms, which are easily misaligned, leading to breakage, especially in floating floor installations where environmental changes cause shrinkage and expansion.
Innovation Solution
The panel design features holding profiles that allow for almost horizontal locking, with a broken edge on the retaining strip and a locking spring that can be slid into place without needing to be angled, reducing the risk of damage and allowing for easier assembly and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If panels are made with thin plastic cores to reduce thickness, then panel weight and material cost are reduced, but the locking mechanisms become more delicate and prone to damage during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring is designed with a specific inclination angle (α between 15°-45°) of its upper side relative to the perpendicular of the panel surface. This parameter change allows the spring to engage the groove more gently, reducing impact forces that could damage the delicate locking mechanism in thin panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to accommodate movement in multiple dimensions: vertical play (perpendicular to panel surface) and horizontal play (parallel to panel surface). This multi-dimensional design allows the locking spring to self-align and engage the groove without requiring precise angular positioning, reducing the risk of damage during handling.
2Strength
If locking mechanisms are designed for precise engagement, then locking strength is improved, but the complexity of alignment and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking spring is designed with inherent flexibility and play, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during engagement. The spring can move vertically and horizontally to accommodate minor misalignments, making installation easier while maintaining strong locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined upper side of the locking spring (α = 15°-45°) enables self-alignment during engagement. As the spring engages the groove, the inclination guides it into the correct position automatically, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment by the installer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If panels are designed for floating installation to accommodate environmental changes, then adaptability is improved, but the locking mechanisms are subjected to constant stress from shrinkage and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism incorporates vertical play and horizontal play, allowing it to dynamically accommodate panel movement caused by thermal expansion and contraction. The spring can move within these play ranges to absorb stress without compromising the locking connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific inclination angle (α = 15°-45°) of the locking spring's upper side optimizes the distribution of forces during engagement. This parameter enables the spring to better absorb and distribute the constant stress from environmental changes while maintaining reliable locking.
4Productivity
If large-format panels are produced to reduce installation time, then productivity is improved, but handling becomes more difficult and risk of damage to locking means increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined locking spring design (α = 15°-45°) enables self-alignment during engagement, which is particularly beneficial for large-format panels. The self-aligning feature compensates for the difficulty of precise positioning that arises when handling large panels, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism accommodates movement in both vertical and horizontal dimensions, providing tolerance for positioning errors that are more likely when handling large-format panels. This multi-dimensional play reduces the precision required during handling while maintaining effective locking.
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 enables secure locking of large-format panels without the need for precise angular positioning, reducing the risk of damage and facilitating easier handling and installation, while accommodating panel expansion and contraction due to environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
a locking spring (9) with a spring underside (9a) which, in the assembled state, rests on the retaining strip (12) and with an undercut contact surface (15) which is directed to the panel core (3) and in the assembled state with the holding surface (12b) of the Halteleiste (12) cooperates
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e~1f
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel (1) with a panel core (3, 3'), a panel surface (4, 4'), a lower panel surface (5), and with at least one first pair of complementary form-fitting retaining profiles (6, 7) on opposing panel edges, wherein one of the retaining profiles (6) has a locking groove (8) with a distally projecting upper groove wall (10) and a lower groove wall (11) that projects further distally than the upper groove wall (10), and with a retaining strip (12) that projects at the free end of the lower groove wall (11) towards the panel surface (4) and has a free upper strip end (12a) and at least one undercut retaining surface (12b), wherein this retaining surface is directed towards the panel core (3) and defines a recess (11a) in the lower groove wall (11) located behind the retaining strip, wherein the complementary retaining profile (7) has a is equipped with a locking spring (9),which has at least one undercut contact surface (15) which is directed towards the panel core (3') and, in the assembled state, interacts with the retaining surface (12b) of the retaining strip (12), wherein the locking spring (9) has a spring underside (9a) and a spring upperside (16), the spring upperside (16) having a distal end (16a) and a proximal end (16b) and being straight or curved and being inclined relative to the perpendicular (L) on the panel surface (4, 4'), such that the distal end (16a) is further away from the panel surface (4, 4') and the proximal end (16b) is closer to the panel surface (4, 4'), wherein, in the assembled state, there is a clearance comprising a vertical clearance (Q) and a horizontal clearance (P, P'), such that the retaining profiles (6, 7) are perpendicular to the The panel surface (4, 4') is movable and is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the panel edges (2, 2') and simultaneously parallel to the panel surface (4,4'), and wherein an inner side (10a) of the upper groove wall (10) is shaped straight or curved to match the upper side of the tongue (16) and has an angle of inclination α relative to the perpendicular (L) on the panel surface (4, 4') such that the inclined upper side of the tongue (16) and the inner side (10a) of the upper groove wall (10) are in surface contact when pushed against each other, wherein an edge chamfer (12c) is provided between the free upper end (12a) of the retaining strip (12) and its lower retaining surface (12b), and wherein the edge chamfer forms a clearance surface (12d) which has a distal upper end (12e) and a proximal end and is shaped straight or curved, and wherein the clearance surface (12d) has an angle of inclination β relative to the perpendicular (L) on the panel surface (4, 4'), with the proviso thatthat in one joining step the lower side (9a) of the locking spring (9) can be placed horizontally on the retaining strip (12) of the locking groove (9) and then the upper side (16) of the spring can be slid against the inner side (10a) of the upper groove wall (10), and that at the end of the said joining step the distal end (16a) of the upper side (16) of the spring touches the inner side (10a) of the upper groove wall (10) in the area of the panel core (3').