Rectangular Edge-Coupled Panels for Stable Herringbone Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel systems require multiple types of panels to create herringbone patterns, complicating installation and manufacturing, and suffer from suboptimal interlocking that can lead to surface undulation and height differences between adjacent panels.
Innovation Solution
A rectangular panel design with coupling parts on each edge, featuring a tongue and groove system that allows for both vertical and horizontal interlocking, ensuring stable coupling and minimizing height differences, using interlocking lips and grooves that cooperate across the entire edge length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If two different types of panels are used to achieve herringbone patterns, then the interlocking stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is designed with universal functionality to work with panels of the same type. The tongue and groove configuration allows any panel to couple with any other panel of the same type, eliminating the need for different panel types for herringbone patterns. The coupling part comprises a tongue for vertical interlocking and an interlocking lip with groove for horizontal interlocking, providing multi-directional coupling capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If discontinuous interlocking lips are used to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the interlocking reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking lip is designed to extend continuously along the entire edge of the panel, providing continuous interlocking action from end to end. This continuous configuration ensures reliable coupling throughout the entire edge length, preventing the undulation problems that occur with discontinuous or segmented interlocking lips. The groove is correspondingly continuous to receive the tongue along the full edge length.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the interlocking lip extends beyond the edge, then the horizontal interlocking is improved, but the coupling part complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking lip is positioned locally at the edge of the panel, extending only as far as necessary to provide effective horizontal interlocking. The groove is correspondingly positioned to receive the tongue. This localized configuration provides adequate horizontal interlocking without requiring excessive extension that would increase overall complexity. The coupling part maintains simplicity while achieving the desired interlocking function.
Data Source
AI summary
A rectangular panel has long and short edges, such that on each long edge and on each short edge, the panel has a coupling part, which allows the panel to be coupled to another similar panel.