Rotatable Locking Joint for Flooring Panels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flooring systems face challenges with installation complexity, gaps between panels leading to dust accumulation and unsanitary conditions, and visual disruptions in laminate flooring due to inadequate joint connections, which affect the aesthetic and durability of the flooring.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical locking joint system featuring a rotatable cam with a hook-shaped arm and resilient arm, creating a biasing force to ensure panels lie flush, preventing horizontal and vertical movement and aligning decorative motifs effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tongue-and-groove interlocking joint is used to connect flooring panels, then installation becomes simpler and does not require professional contractors, but gaps remain between adjacent panels allowing dust and dirt accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInstallation simplicityVSAvoidDust and dirt accumulation in gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the groove portion from the traditional tongue-and-groove joint, extracting only the essential interlocking function through a modified profile joint that eliminates gap formation while maintaining installation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a groove to receive the tongue, the patent inverts the approach by using a modified profile where the tongue fits into a recess without requiring a traditional groove, thereby preventing gap formation while maintaining ease of installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If a snap-together joint with protrusion and indentation is used, then panels can be connected without gluing or nailing, but the joint creates visual disruption in the surface pattern of laminate flooring

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNo gluing or nailing requiredVSAvoidVisual disruption in surface pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different profile characteristics at different locations: the joint profile is designed with specific geometries at the edges while maintaining flush alignment at the surface, allowing the connection mechanism to function locally without affecting the overall visual continuity of the flooring surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the connection mechanism to a different dimension by using edge profiles that interlock vertically and horizontally while keeping the top surface flush, separating the connection function from the visual surface plane

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If traditional interlocking joints are used, then installation is uncomplicated, but gaps between panels allow normal usage to splinter or chip the flooring surface

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInstallation efficiencyVSAvoidResistance to splintering and chipping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a preliminary closing action in the joint profile design that automatically eliminates gaps when panels are installed, preventing the conditions that lead to splintering and chipping before normal usage begins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses curved or rounded profile transitions in the joint design that distribute stress more evenly, preventing stress concentration that would lead to splintering and chipping while maintaining smooth panel surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution provides a simple, durable, and aesthetically pleasing connection that prevents dust accumulation and maintains panel alignment, enhancing the appearance and usability of flooring systems.

Implementation Method 1

the second arm and the resilient arm bendable towards each other to create a biasing force, wherein the biasing force impels the second arm toward the tongue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2017403B1Flooring system

Publication Date: 2011.03.23 MUHLEBACH MORITZ ANDRE

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

A joint for connecting two adjacent flooring panels (12,14) together in a substantially vertical manner includes a rotatable locking member (10) made of plastic, metal or another resilient material. The rotatable locking member (10) is located within a groove (38) or opening of one flooring panel (12) and the second flooring panel (14) has a tongue (48) shaped to mate with the rotatable locking member (10). Upon installation, the rotatable member (10) rotates and locks around the back of the tongue (48) via a groove (52) above the tongue. The rotatable locking member (10) includes a resilient arm (24) which is bent away from its initial rest position upon installation, so that when the rotatable locking member locks onto the tongue, the resilient arm is bent providing a biasing force which holds the panel securely in position.