Resilient Floorboard Mechanical Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling resilient floorboards with mechanical locking systems, such as angling-angling, angling-snapping, and vertical folding, are difficult due to the bending and increased friction of resilient materials like PVC, requiring excessive force for connection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving positioning and bending floorboards with a mechanical locking system, where a floorboard edge is angled and a force is applied to push a resiliently bendable locking strip into another locking element, reducing the force needed for connection by allowing partial edge locking, and using a tool with a rotatable press part to facilitate assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical locking methods (angling-angling, angling-snapping, vertical folding) are used for resilient floorboards, then the floorboards can be connected, but excessive force is required due to bending and friction of resilient materials
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two separate devices: a first locking device on one floorboard edge and a second locking device on the adjacent floorboard edge. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized independently and reduces the complexity of the locking action, enabling assembly with reduced force by engaging the two edges separately rather than requiring complex multi-point engagement simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking devices are designed with different local properties: the first locking device includes a locking element that protrudes into a locking groove, while the second locking device has a corresponding groove and protruding element. This asymmetric local design allows one edge to be inserted first and the other to follow, reducing the force needed compared to symmetric locking mechanisms that require simultaneous engagement of multiple points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resilient floorboards are used, then aesthetic and comfort properties are improved, but the material easily bends making mechanical locking difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The floorboard edges are pre-formed with integrated locking devices (grooves and protruding elements) during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the resilient material's flexibility is already accounted for in the design, and the locking features are pre-positioned to guide the assembly process, reducing the difficulty of assembly despite the material's bending characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking devices act as intermediary elements between the resilient floorboard edges. These intermediaries (locking grooves and protruding elements) provide a mechanical interface that compensates for the resilient material's tendency to bend, allowing reliable connection without requiring the material itself to maintain rigid geometric precision during assembly.
3Strength
If the entire edge of the floorboard is locked mechanically, then connection strength is maximized, but the force required for assembly becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system engages only critical portions of the floorboard edges through the locking grooves and protruding elements, rather than requiring complete edge-to-edge contact and locking. This partial action achieves sufficient connection strength for the application while dramatically reducing the force needed during assembly, as the locking devices concentrate the engagement at specific points rather than distributing it across the entire edge length.
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 method significantly reduces the force required for assembling resilient floorboards by allowing partial edge locking, minimizing friction, and utilizing a tool with a rotatable press part to ease the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a force is applied to push a resiliently bendable locking strip into another locking element, reducing the force needed for connection by allowing partial edge locking
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling resilient floorboards is disclosed that includes the step of bending an edge of a floorboard during the assembling. The bending reduces the force required for connection of the edge to another edge of a juxtaposed floorboard. The floorboards may be provided with a mechanical locking system for vertical and horizontal locking of two adjacent floorboards.