Segmented Edge Groove Panel Assembly to Prevent Crack Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture assembly systems face challenges in disassembly and stability, particularly at the back edge of panels, where the mechanical locking system may lead to cracks and reduced strength under load.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates panels with edge tongues and grooves, where the central part absorbs more force than the edge part, featuring distinct groove and tongue shapes, thicknesses, and positions to enhance locking strength and prevent cracking, using a flexible tongue in an insertion groove for assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the edge groove extends contiguously from front edge to back edge for production reasons, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the strength and stability of the locking system deteriorates due to crack formation at the back edge under load
Solution Approach 1:
The edge groove is segmented into two distinct parts: a first part extending from the front edge to a first position, and a second part extending from the back edge to a second position. The distance between the first and second positions creates a gap that prevents continuous crack propagation along the entire groove, thereby maintaining structural strength while preserving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the edge groove are designed with different characteristics. The first part and second part are positioned to avoid overlapping stress zones, with the gap between them strategically located to prevent crack formation at critical stress points while maintaining the overall locking function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the edge groove extends to the fourth edge (back edge) for production reasons, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to crack arising at the outer lower part of the edge groove under load
Solution Approach 1:
The edge groove is divided into discrete segments that do not continuously connect to the back edge, preventing crack propagation to critical structural areas while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The design proactively prevents crack formation by positioning the edge groove parts to avoid high-stress zones at the back edge, eliminating the harmful effect before it can occur during product use.
3Strength
If the central part absorbs greater force than the edge part through optimized geometry, then the strength of the locking system is improved, but the complexity of the groove and tongue shapes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge tongue and edge groove feature varying cross-sectional dimensions along their length, with the central part having optimized geometry to absorb greater forces. This localized geometric variation strengthens the locking system while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of panels including a first panel with a first main plane and a second panel with a second main plane. A first edge of the first panel is configured to be locked to a second edge of the second panel, wherein the first main plane is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane, and wherein the first and the second edges are locked in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the first main plane, and a second direction, which is perpendicular to the second main plane. The first edge includes an edge tongue, with a longitudinal direction along the first edge, including a bottom edge, a first surface and an opposite second surface. The edge groove and/or the edge tongue is/are configured such that a greater force is absorbed by the longitudinal central part than by an edge part at third and fourth edges.