Furniture Barrel Joint with Side-Access Locking and Slim Panel Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barrel joint systems for furniture require large holes in panels for barrel insertion, compromising panel thickness and aesthetics, and are obstructive when caps are used for visibility restoration.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates vertical holes in the shoulders for barrel reception and smaller horizontal holes for pin insertion, with a blocking mechanism inside the barrel accessible from the side, allowing for secure joining without panel weakening and minimal visibility obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large hole is produced in the base or shelf to receive the barrel, then the barrel can be securely positioned, but the panel thickness is compromised and aesthetics are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is accessed from the side of the barrel through a lateral opening rather than from the top through the large hole. This dimensional shift allows the blocking function to be performed without requiring a large top opening, thereby preserving panel thickness and aesthetics while maintaining secure barrel positioning through the side-access blocking mechanism
2Shape
If a cap is used to cover the hole for aesthetic restoration, then appearance is improved, but accessibility for blocking the joint is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The opening for the blocking mechanism is positioned laterally on the barrel rather than at the top. This allows a cap to be placed on the top opening for aesthetic purposes while the side opening remains accessible for inserting and operating the blocking tool, thus resolving the conflict between aesthetics and operational accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
A lateral opening acts as an intermediary access point for the blocking mechanism, separate from the top opening that requires capping for aesthetics. This intermediary opening allows tool insertion and operation without compromising the aesthetic function of the top cap
3Reliability
If the barrel is made with a short body and considerable diameter for the grub screw, then the joint blocking function is achieved, but the cap dimensions become large creating surface obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism is accessed from the side through a lateral opening rather than from the top. This allows the grub screw and blocking mechanism to be positioned within the barrel body without requiring a large top opening, thereby reducing cap dimensions and eliminating surface obstruction while maintaining the joint blocking function
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A barrel for a barrel joint for parts of furniture and furnishing items comprising a hollow cylindrical body (32, 33; 132; 232) containing a blocking element (30; 29; 230) and at least one hole (41; 141; 241) on one of its side surfaces for the passage of a tip of a tool (21, 47) that actuates said blocking element (30; 29; 230), the hollow cylindrical body (32, 33; 132; 232) also providing at least a further hole (42; 142; 242) for receiving a pin (16; 215, 45) of the barrel joint.