Composite Angle Bracket for Adjustable Hanging Furniture Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle fittings for hanging furniture are complex to assemble, heavy, and expensive due to their multi-part composition and production from sheet metal, with potential misalignment issues during assembly.
Innovation Solution
An angle fitting composed of plastic and a metal mounting plate, where the metal plate is embedded in plastic and used for high-load areas, allowing for adjustable assembly with a locking mechanism that distributes mechanical loads effectively, reducing weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the angle bracket is made entirely of plastic, then the weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The angle bracket combines plastic and metal materials to create a composite structure. The plastic sections (first and second plate-shaped sections) provide lightweight construction and cost-effective manufacturing, while the metallic mounting plate provides the necessary mechanical strength for load-bearing areas. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by strategically assigning materials based on functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the angle bracket have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The mounting plate area, which experiences high mechanical stress from fasteners, is made of metal for strength. The non-critical areas are made of plastic for weight reduction and cost savings. This local differentiation of material quality allows the structure to meet strength requirements where needed while minimizing weight overall.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual parts are used to provide adjustment functionality, then the adaptability and adjustment options are improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into fewer components. The mounting plate combines the functions of structural support, adjustment mechanism (through its opening geometry), and fastening interface. The locking plate integrates positioning and securing functions. This merging reduces the total number of individual parts compared to traditional multi-component suspension devices while maintaining full adjustment capabilities in multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables adjustment through its opening design, accommodates fasteners, and works with the locking plate mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Strength
If sheet metal is used for manufacturing fittings, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Metal material is applied only where mechanically necessary - specifically in the mounting plate that experiences high stress from fastener loads. Plastic material is used in areas where full metal construction would be excessive weight and cost. This localized application of high-strength material optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle bracket uses a composite construction with metal mounting plate embedded in plastic sections. This composite structure leverages the high strength of metal where needed while utilizing the lightweight and cost-effective plastic material for the bulk of the structure, achieving an optimal balance between strength and weight.
4Weight of moving object
If the mounting plate is made thin to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the load-bearing capacity and resistance to mechanical stress deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is constructed as a composite with a thin metal plate embedded in and supported by the thicker plastic material. The plastic provides additional structural support and load distribution, allowing the metal plate to remain thin for weight reduction while the composite structure as a whole maintains sufficient load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic material acts as an intermediary that distributes and transfers mechanical loads around the thin metal mounting plate. When fastener loads are applied, the plastic material helps distribute these forces across a larger area, preventing stress concentration that would occur in a thin metal plate alone, thereby enabling the metal plate to remain thin without compromising overall load-bearing capacity.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An angle fitting (101), in particular for the assembly of hanging furniture, comprises a first plate-shaped section (102) on which a metal mounting plate (115) with an opening (103) for the passage of a fastening means and adjacent to the opening (103) locking means ( 104) are provided, which can be brought into engagement with latching means (106) of a latching plate (105), and a second plate-shaped section (107) with at least one opening (108) for fastening means. The first and the second plate-shaped section (102, 107) are essentially made of plastic and the metal mounting plate (115) is embedded in plastic material at the edge.