Angled Junction Plane Locking for Perpendicular Furniture Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture panels with mechanical locking devices lack sufficient stiffness and strength, making them difficult to assemble and disassemble correctly, and are prone to incorrect installation and instability.
Innovation Solution
The design involves panels with a mechanical locking device featuring a flexible tongue and a rod-shaped element, where the junction plane extends at an angle, allowing for perpendicular locking in multiple directions, and includes a rod-shaped element that guides correct assembly, enhancing stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple mechanical locking device is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the stiffness and strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into multiple functional components: a first locking element (tongue) for primary engagement, a second locking element (rod-shaped) for reinforcement, and a groove structure for guidance. This segmentation allows each component to contribute specifically to strength while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device combines different structural elements (flexible tongue, rigid rod-shaped element, groove) that work together composite-like to achieve superior strength and stiffness properties that individual elements could not provide alone, while each element remains manufacturable using standard processes.
2Strength
If a complex locking device is used to improve strength, then the stiffness and strength are improved, but the device becomes difficult to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The first locking element is designed as a flexible tongue that can dynamically deform during assembly to accommodate misalignment, then springs into a locked position. This dynamic behavior simplifies assembly while maintaining strong locking, and allows easy disassembly by reversing the deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary that guides the rod-shaped locking element into proper alignment during assembly, reducing the complexity of manual positioning while ensuring correct installation for optimal strength.
3Ease of operation
If a simple locking device is used, then the device is easy to use, but the risk of incorrect installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure and rod-shaped locking element are designed to self-align during assembly, automatically guiding components into the correct position without requiring precise manual positioning. This self-aligning mechanism prevents incorrect installation while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is pre-formed in the panel to establish the correct installation path before the locking elements are inserted. This preliminary structural feature ensures that subsequent assembly steps naturally follow the correct sequence and orientation, reducing installation errors.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple locking device is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the stability and aesthetics of the furniture product are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-element locking structure segments the load-bearing functions across multiple components, improving the overall stability and rigidity of the joint while each component remains simple to manufacture using standard woodworking or metalworking processes.
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
This configuration improves the stiffness and strength of the locking device, reduces the risk of incorrect installation, and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly while providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing furniture product.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element comprises a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove
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 is described. The first panel and the second panel are provided with a mechanical locking device for locking of a first edge of the first panel to a second edge of the second panel at a junction plane, wherein the first main plane is essentially perpendicular to the second main plane and the junction plane is extending at an angle to the first main plane and the second main plane between the first main plane and the second main plane.