Floor Tile Levelling Wedge With Curved Teeth for Progressive Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor tile levelling devices suffer from premature wedge deformation, lack of progressive resistance during insertion, ergonomic issues, and high risk of separator element breakage due to uneven stress distribution and manual insertion force variations.
Innovation Solution
The wedge features a curved tooth design with central and lateral contact points, longitudinal recesses, and ergonomic concave rear surface to provide progressive resistance, reduce deformation, and improve ergonomics, allowing uniform stress distribution and easier manual insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wedge is inserted into the window in the separator element to perform levelling, then the floor tiles can be levelled and separated, but the teeth on the wedge are permanently deformed and crushed due to pressure from the separator element
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are designed with a curved upper surface instead of a flat surface. This curvature allows the teeth to progressively engage with the window edge during insertion, distributing the deformation force over time and space rather than concentrating it at a single point, thereby preventing permanent deformation and crushing of the teeth
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the teeth by introducing curvature and varying heights. The teeth have different heights in the transverse direction, with higher teeth in the central area and lower teeth in lateral areas. This parameter variation allows progressive engagement with the window edge, reducing peak stresses and preventing permanent deformation
2Ease of operation
If the teeth are inserted with uniform height and parallel planes, then the wedge structure is simple, but the tensioning of the separator element lacks progressivity and requires significant force
Solution Approach 1:
Different areas of the tooth structure have different properties. The central area has higher teeth for initial engagement, while lateral areas have lower teeth for progressive engagement. This local variation in tooth height creates a progressive tensioning effect that reduces insertion force requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The curved upper surface of the teeth creates a progressive engagement mechanism. As the wedge is inserted, the curvature ensures that teeth engage with the window edge in a sequence rather than simultaneously, providing progressive resistance that makes insertion easier and more controlled
3Productivity
If manual pressure is applied to the pincer to advance the wedge, then the wedge can be inserted, but the resistance varies sharply causing premature breakage of the separator element
Solution Approach 1:
The curved teeth provide progressive resistance during insertion, transforming the sharp resistance variations into a smooth, continuous force profile. This prevents sudden stress peaks that would cause the separator element to break at the break point near the base
Solution Approach 2:
By varying the tooth heights and curving the upper surface, the invention changes the resistance parameters during insertion. The progressive engagement of teeth at different heights creates a gradual increase in resistance rather than sharp variations, preventing premature breakage
4Ease of operation
If the wedge has uniform width along its length, then the wedge structure is simple, but the ergonomics are poor and finger fatigue occurs during manual insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge transitions from a uniform width design to an asymmetric design where the width varies along the length. The rear surface has a concave ergonomic shape with reduced width to fit the thumb and fingers, while the front maintains the functional width for wedge action. This asymmetric design improves ergonomics without compromising function
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wedge have different geometric properties suited to their functions. The rear surface has a concave ergonomic shape for comfortable finger placement, while the front maintains the functional wedge geometry. This local differentiation improves manual insertion comfort
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 enhances the wedge's lifespan, reduces plasticization, minimizes finger fatigue, and prevents premature breakage of the separator element, ensuring efficient and comfortable tile levelling.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure exerted by the separator element against the upper surface of the wedge causes the teeth defined in said upper surface to be crushed
Implementation Method 2
the teeth to deform and pass to the other side of the window, which causes the permanent deformation
Implementation Method 3
the resistance to the advance of the wedge alternately varies in intensity, increasing sharply each time a tooth has to surpass the window, and then decreasing sharply thereafter. This causes the premature breakage of the separator element by the break point near the base
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A device for levelling and separating floor tiles, comprising: - a body with a supporting base (11) for the tiles (B) and a separator element (12) linked to said base (11) by pre-weakened break points (13), and - a levelling wedge (2) suited to be inserted into a window (14) in the separator element (12) and which comprises a lower surface (21) for support on the tiles (B) and an upper surface (22) with a plurality of teeth (26) presenting superiorly, in a transversal direction, a curvature, defining therein: - a higher central area (26a) for initial contact with a central part (14a) of the upper end of the window in the separator element (12) and - laterally descending areas (26b) for progressive contact with lateral parts (14b) that are more remote from said central part (14a) of the window (14).