Pre-assembled Locking Tongue for Floor Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly process of floor coverings with tongue and groove connections is challenging due to the difficulty in creating a form-fitting connection without damaging the panels, and existing solutions require additional steps or tools for locking the panels together.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled head tongue is integrated into one of the grooves, allowing it to be displaced laterally as the locking tongue is inserted, eliminating the need for subsequent hammering or pushing and enabling smooth axial displacement while maintaining vertical stability, with the locking tongue designed to fit flush within the groove for efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical locking elements are hooked into one another on longitudinal or head sides, then the floor panels are locked together to avoid gaps, but it becomes difficult to create the form-fitting connection and may cause damage to the floor panels
Solution Approach 1:
The head tongue is pre-assembled into the groove of the first panel before the locking operation begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent insertion steps and ensures proper alignment during the locking process, making assembly easier while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The head tongue is designed as a movable element that can be laterally displaced from the groove of the first panel into the groove of the second panel during assembly. This dynamic movement allows the locking mechanism to transition from a pre-positioned state to an engaged state, facilitating easier assembly while ensuring secure locking.
2Strength
If a spring is inserted into the groove to bridge between panel plates, then the load capacity in the vertical direction is increased, but the assembly process becomes more complex with additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The head tongue combines multiple functions into a single element: it provides vertical support to increase load capacity, enables lateral displacement for locking, and integrates into the groove structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate spring components and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the required vertical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The head tongue serves multiple purposes: it acts as a support element for vertical loads, a locking element for horizontal connection, and an alignment guide during assembly. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components, simplifying both the device structure and the assembly process.
3Ease of operation
If the head tongue protrudes from the groove, then it can be easily actuated, but it may protrude over the outermost edge and interfere with the locking strip
Solution Approach 1:
The head tongue has different properties in different regions: the actuating section that protrudes from the groove is designed for easy manual operation, while the engagement section that enters the second panel's groove is designed for smooth lateral displacement. This local differentiation optimizes both actuation ease and assembly speed without interference.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for separate locking elements, reduces the risk of panel damage, and increases laying speed, while allowing for easy alignment and reconfiguration of panels without locking until the next row is laid, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the floor covering installation.
Implementation Method 1
a moving part of the locking tongue is deflected laterally as the locking tongue is inserted lengthwise into the locking groove
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~10
Figure 11~12
AI summary
The floor covering consists of a multitude of interlocking element panels (1) which have locking strips (6, 7) on their end faces (2, 3) and on their long sides (4, 5). These locking strips engage with each other when element panels (1) are adjacent to each other in the covering. Grooves (19, 20) are provided in the end faces (2, 3), and the grooves (19, 20) of two abutting end faces (2, 3) correspond and form a locking channel (21) for receiving a tongue and groove (22, 22a-k). The tongue and groove (22) is pre-assembled in the groove (20) and projects beyond an end of the groove (20) facing the long side (5) of the element panel (1).At the same time, the head spring (22) is completely chambered within the groove (22) in the pre-assembled state and can be at least partially moved from one groove (20) to the corresponding groove (19) of the adjacent element plate (1) by moving the protruding end (24) of the head spring (22) into the groove (20).