Angular Furniture Panel Connectors for Repeated Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture panel connection systems using chipboard are prone to failure due to low tensile strength, making them unsuitable for frequent disassembly and reassembly, especially in inexpensive furniture designed for temporary use.
Innovation Solution
The use of trapezoidal grooves in furniture panels with insert elements and locking elements made from high-strength materials, such as MDF or HDF, which provide high pull-out forces and allow for multiple disassembly cycles without damage, combined with a locking mechanism that includes resilient spring lips and undercuts for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chipboard is used as carrier board for furniture panels, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but tensile strength is significantly reduced making connections prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: the chipboard panel, the insert element with undercut, and the locking element with spring lip. This segmentation allows the use of inexpensive chipboard for the panels while using higher-strength materials for the connection components, resolving the contradiction between low cost and sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs composite construction by combining chipboard panels with insert elements and locking elements made from more durable materials. This composite approach allows the overall structure to benefit from both the cost-effectiveness of chipboard and the strength of the reinforced connection components.
2Ease of operation
If simple click connection is used for furniture panels, then assembly is simplified, but connection durability is reduced making furniture unusable after a few moves
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element incorporates a spring lip that can dynamically deform during assembly and disassembly operations. This dynamic characteristic allows the connection to be easily made and taken apart while maintaining structural integrity, enabling repeated moves without failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring lip's elastic properties allow it to change its physical state during operation - deforming during insertion/removal and returning to original position during locked state. This parameter change enables the connection to transition between easy assembly/disassembly and high durability states.
3Strength
If trapezoidal grooves with insert elements and locking elements are used, then connection strength is increased for repeated disassembly, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spring lip automatically performs the locking function when the locking element is inserted into the groove with the insert element. The elastic deformation and rebound of the spring lip create the locked state without requiring additional operations, simplifying the overall process despite the complex components.
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 significantly increases the lifespan of furniture by providing a strong, reliable connection that can withstand repeated assembly and disassembly, even with inexpensive chipboard, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each undercut interacts with a lip or spring lip of a locking element, which is designed to be snapped into the insert elements
Data Source
Figure 1.1~1.2
Figure 2~5
Figure 6.1~6.5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for connecting and locking two panels (1, 2) at an angle, in particular furniture panels, consisting of a coated wooden panel, in particular chipboard, which has two opposite flat sides (10, 20) and four at an angle to the flat sides (10, 20) running narrow sides (15, 25), wherein one of the panels (1) has a groove (11, 21) in at least one of the narrow sides (15) and the other panel (2) in at least one of the flat sides (20) into which one insert element (3) is inserted in each case, each of which has at least one undercut (38), and each undercut (38) interacts with a spring lip (42) of a locking element (4), which is designed to snap into the insert elements (3).