Surface Cladding Panel With Wave-Structured Coupling Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel systems for surface cladding, such as floor panels, often struggle with achieving high fluid resistance while also being easily installable and removable.
Innovation Solution
The panel system incorporates upper and lower coupling elements with wave-shaped surfaces that are complementary to each other, allowing for secure interlocking and enhanced fluid resistance, while also facilitating easy installation and removal due to their design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panels are forced into place during installation, then high fluid resistance is achieved, but the panels can only be removed with several manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into three distinct coupling sections: a first coupling section with a beveled upper side for initial insertion, a second coupling section with a lower side for fluid resistance, and a third coupling section with a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function independently, enabling both high fluid resistance and easy installation/removal
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are designed to transition from a loose initial position to a locked final position. The beveled upper side allows the plug-in element to be inserted with minimal force, then the locking mechanism engages to secure the connection. This dynamic transition enables easy installation while maintaining secure locked connections for fluid resistance
2Ease of operation
If a simple coupling mechanism is used, then ease of installation is improved, but fluid resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system utilizes multiple dimensions and orientations: the beveled upper side provides an inclined insertion path, the lower side creates a horizontal sealing interface, and the locking mechanism provides vertical engagement. This multi-dimensional approach allows a simple single-action installation to achieve complex sealing and locking functions
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
The panel system achieves a high level of fluid resistance due to the increased interface area between the complementary wave surfaces, while allowing for quick and easy installation and removal, reducing assembly loads and material stress.
Implementation Method 1
the upper coupling element (4) has at its distal end a wedge-shaped plug-in element (8) comprising an upper side (6) and a lower side (7)
Implementation Method 2
the surfaces of the plug-in receptacle (9) or the lower side (7) of the plug-in element (8) facing each other in the coupled state of two panels (1A, 1B) have mutually complementary wave structures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel (1A, 1B) for cladding a surface, comprising a panel core enclosed by a flat panel surface (2), a flat panel underside (3) spaced apart from and parallel to the panel underside (3), and four panel side surfaces, each connecting the panel surface (2) to the panel underside (3), wherein mutually complementary coupling elements (4, 5) in the form of an upper coupling element (4) and a lower coupling element (5) are arranged on two opposing panel side surfaces, the coupling elements being configured such that they enable a coupling of a first such panel (1A) with a second such panel (1B) by means of a relative movement of the upper coupling element (4) of the first panel (1A) towards the lower coupling element (5) of the second panel (1B), wherein a first, second, and third coupling section of the coupling elements (4,5) is provided and the upper coupling element (4) has a wedge-shaped plug-in element (8) at its distal end and the lower coupling element (5) has a plug-in receptacle (9) at its proximal end, into which the plug-in element (8) is inserted when two panels (1A, 1B) are coupled, characterized in that the surfaces (13A, 13B) of the plug-in receptacle (9) facing each other when two panels (1A, 1B) are coupled have complementary wave structures. In this way, a panel for cladding a surface is provided that has a particularly high fluid resistance and can be installed and uninstalled particularly quickly and easily.