Separate Locking Element Laminate Floor Panel Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laminate floor covering panel connections lack stability and compactness, often requiring elastic deformation of side edges for locking, which can lead to misalignment and damage under point loading, and are prone to contamination and instability due to external elements.
Innovation Solution
A laminate panel design featuring a foreign element with a groove system that includes a stop surface and prestressing mechanisms to secure the foreign element in place, providing a self-locking and self-positioning solution, and a locking section that can pivot or compress to ensure secure connection without external elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side edges are made elastic in the area of the locking lugs to enable connection, then the locking lugs can be forced past one another, but the side edges may be damaged under point loading
Solution Approach 1:
The side edge is divided into two functional zones: a rigid basic structure for strength and a separate elastic locking element for connection. The locking element is attached to the basic structure but can deform independently, allowing the rigid part to maintain strength while the elastic part enables easy connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines a rigid basic structure with an elastic locking element into a unified locking system. The locking element is attached to the basic structure through attachment elements, merging the strength-providing rigid part and the connection-enabling elastic part into a single functional unit.
2Ease of operation
If external elements are used for locking, then the connection can be achieved, but chips or impurities can penetrate into the groove area causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The groove that previously opened to the exterior is now closed off by the locking element. The locking element acts as a barrier that extracts the interior groove area from the exterior environment, preventing chips and impurities from penetrating into the groove while maintaining the connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves as an intermediary between the interior groove area and the exterior environment. It mediates by providing a sealed interface that prevents contamination while still allowing the locking lugs to engage and disengage through its elastic deformation.
3Volume of moving object
If the locking connection is made compact, then space is reduced, but the stability of the connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be elastic and dynamic, allowing it to deform during connection and then return to its original position. This dynamic behavior enables a compact design while maintaining stability, as the elastic locking element continuously exerts a restoring force to maintain the locked state.
Solution Approach 2:
The side edge assembly combines materials with different properties: a rigid basic structure for stability and an elastic locking element for compact connection. This composite structure achieves both compactness and stability by leveraging the complementary properties of rigid and elastic materials.
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 design enhances the stability and compactness of the connection between side edges, preventing misalignment and damage while maintaining secure locking, even under load, and reduces the risk of contamination and accidental separation.
Implementation Method 1
the locking section (22''') having elasticity or flexibility in such a way that the locking section (22''') can be compressed or deformed in the direction of the panel plane when the first side edge (5''') and the second side edge (6''') are connected
Implementation Method 2
the groove (11) having a stop surface (26) for the foreign element (12''), in particular for the part (13'') of the foreign element (12'') received in the groove (11), by means of which the foreign element (12'') or the part (13'') of the foreign element (12'') received in the groove (11) abuts against the stop surface (26) when the foreign element (12'') or the part (13'') of the foreign element (12'') received in the groove (11) were to be pulled out of the groove (11)
Implementation Method 3
the lower lip (28) of the groove (11) adjoining the part (13'') of the foreign element (12'') received in the groove (11) in such a way that, when the locking section (22''') passes behind the lower lip (28) of the groove (11), a restoring force is generated which allows the part (13'') of the foreign element (12'') received in the groove (11) to be moved at least partially in the extraction direction out of the groove (11)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel (1, 1', 1'', 1''') of a floor covering, in particular a laminate floor covering, comprising a first lateral edge (5, 5', 5'', 5''') and a second lateral edge (6), wherein the first lateral edge (5, 5', 5'', 5''') and the second lateral edge (6) are arranged opposite each other and correspond with each other in such a way that the first lateral edge (5, 5', 5'', 5''') can be connected to the second lateral edge (6) of a panel (1, 1', 1'', 1''') of the same type by means of an approximately vertical motion, wherein the first lateral edge (5, 5', 5'', 5''') has a first locking projection (14) having a first locking surface (16) pointing predominantly upward, wherein the first locking projection (14) is provided on a locking section (22, 22', 22'', 22'''), wherein the second lateral edge (6) has a second locking projection (15) having a second locking surface (17) pointing predominantly downward and wherein the first and second locking surfaces (16, 17) reach behind each other in a direction parallel to the panels (1, 1', 1'', 1''') in the connected state. In order to improve the connection between the first and second lateral edges, the locking section (22, 22', 22'', 22''') is formed by a separate element (12, 12', 12'', 12''').