Bookcase Peripheral Frame Design to Prevent Bottom Panel Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture designs, such as bookcases, often deform under excessive weight due to lack of support, particularly affecting the bottom panel, especially when non-traditionally structured with multiple adjoining containers of different sizes, and traditional strengthening methods are costly and inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A frame with polygonally-shaped beams is attached to the container, forming ribs across the panels to enhance rigidity, preventing deformation by providing structural support and maintaining the integrity of the container, which can be configured to fit various shapes and materials, including different materials for the container and frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional strengthening methods (internal fixtures, fasteners, strong materials) are used, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the solution becomes inadequate for non-traditional bookcase structures
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple separate beams (first beam, second beam, third beam, fourth beam, fifth beam) that can be individually manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly compared to using monolithic strong materials, while still providing the necessary structural strength to prevent deformation of the container panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining the container (made of various materials) with the frame (made of wooden beams or other materials). This composite approach provides structural strengthening through the frame-beam system rather than requiring the entire container to be made of expensive strong materials, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bookcase is structured in non-traditional fashion with multiple adjoining containers of different sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural integrity deteriorates due to bottom panel deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple beams that can be selectively applied to different containers of different sizes. The first and second beams support the bottom panel, while the third, fourth, and fifth beams support side panels as needed. This segmented approach allows the same frame design to adapt to various container configurations while maintaining structural integrity through targeted support at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame provides localized structural support at specific critical points (bottom panel edges and side panel edges) rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire structure. This local quality approach maintains structural integrity where deformation is most likely to occur while allowing design flexibility in other areas, enabling non-traditional bookcase configurations.
3Strength
If internal fixtures and fasteners are used for strengthening, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strengthening function is extracted from the internal structure of the container and implemented as an external frame consisting of separate beams. This external frame system replaces the need for complex internal fixtures, fasteners, and bracing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving structural strength. The beams are simply attached to the container's exterior surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing strengthening elements inside the container (internal fixtures and fasteners), the invention inverts the approach by placing the strengthening frame on the exterior of the container. This inverted approach simplifies the internal structure while providing external structural support, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Structures and methods of fabrication for articles of furniture that include generalized sideway-disposed containers and outside frames configured to maintain the structural integrity of such containers, to prevent and/or avoid problems of deformation of the furniture piece that carries a weight-load, especially deformation caused by lack of support of such article from the bottom. The frame is juxtaposed with at least two outside surfaces of the piece of furniture article along the lengths of such surfaces.