Building Panel Tongue Forming for Mechanical Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking systems for building panels require separate tongues and specialized machines for precise positioning, complicating production and increasing equipment needs.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming a tongue directly from the edge of a building panel, using mechanical cutting devices to create an insertion groove and displace the tongue into it, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying production equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate tongue is used in the locking system, then the locking function is achieved, but the production complexity increases and specialized inserting machines are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate tongue component with the panel body by forming the tongue integrally from the panel edge material. This eliminates the need for separate tongue production and inserting operations, directly resolving the contradiction by simplifying manufacture while reducing equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tongue from being a separate inserted component and integrates it as an inherent part of the panel edge structure. This extraction of the tongue from the assembly process eliminates the need for specialized inserting machines while maintaining the locking function.
2Manufacturing precision
If a separate tongue is positioned in the insertion groove, then vertical locking is achieved, but precision positioning equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the tongue integrally with the panel edge, the patent eliminates the positioning step entirely. The tongue is inherently positioned correctly through the forming process itself, achieving precise positioning without complex positioning equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is pre-formed as part of the panel edge structure before assembly. This preliminary formation ensures correct positioning is built-in during panel manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex positioning equipment during assembly operations.
3Productivity
If multiple separate parts are used in the locking system, then the locking function is achieved, but the quantity of parts and production steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate parts (panel edge and tongue) into a single integrated structure. This reduces the number of parts from two to one, eliminating assembly steps and improving production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the panel edge structure to form the tongue as an integral part rather than a separate component. This segmentation during forming reduces the overall part count while maintaining functional requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to building panels 1, 1' provided with a mechanical locking system comprising a tongue 30, at firstedge4aof a first building panel1, cooperating with a tongue groove 20, at a second edge4aof an adjacent second building panel1', for vertical locking of the building panels and a method for producing such building panels 1, 1'.The method includes the step of forming the tongue of material of the first edge. The insertion groove (40) may have a sidewall (60) at a third edge (5a), which is adjacent the first edge (4a), and may be open at a fourth edge (5b), which is opposite the third edge.