Composite Furniture Fitting Layout for Unobstructed Interior Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional furniture fittings, such as door and flap hinges, protrude into the interior of furniture bodies, reducing usable space and limiting material selection due to installation depth limitations and processing requirements, especially with materials like glass, stone, or concrete.

Innovation Solution

Integrating fittings into a plate-shaped composite element within the furniture body, allowing for a homogeneous surface and flexible alignment, enabling the use of larger fittings without obstructing the interior structure and allowing for materials difficult to process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fittings are installed directly on the furniture body or side walls, then the fitting function is achieved, but the fittings protrude into the interior reducing usable storage space and impairing interior structuring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting functionVSAvoidusable storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting is nested within a recess in the side wall, with a cover element that closes the recess. This nesting approach allows the fitting to be housed inside the furniture body structure rather than protruding outward, maintaining the fitting's functionality while eliminating its protrusion into the usable storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A cover element is introduced as an intermediary component between the fitting and the interior space. This cover element closes the recess and prevents the fitting from protruding into the interior, while still allowing the fitting to perform its guiding function for movable furniture parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If door hinges are installed in a milled pocket from the end face, then the inner side of the side wall remains free, but the installation depth is restricted to very small dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree inner side surfaceVSAvoidinstallation depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of milling the pocket from the end face (one-dimensional approach), the invention mills the recess from the lateral side wall (changing to a different dimension). This lateral milling approach allows for greater installation depth while still keeping the inner side surface free, as the recess is created from the side rather than the end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fittings with large installation depth are used, then larger and more complex door hinges can be installed, but the side wall thickness is insufficient for cost-effective milling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting size and complexityVSAvoidmilling cost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is milled from the lateral side wall rather than the end face, changing the milling direction to a more cost-effective dimension. This lateral approach allows for deeper recesses to accommodate larger and more complex fittings while remaining economically viable in the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If materials like glass, stone, or concrete are used for the furniture body, then material selection is expanded, but the material cannot be processed by milling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selectionVSAvoidprocessing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical milling process is replaced with an alternative processing method suitable for hard materials like glass, stone, or concrete. Instead of removing material through milling, the recess is created by forming the furniture body with the recess as an integral part during casting or shaping, allowing these difficult-to-process materials to be used while still accommodating the fittings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Shape

If fittings are integrated into a plate-shaped composite element, then the interior surface becomes homogeneous and visually appealing, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehomogeneous interior surfaceVSAvoidcomposite element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is merged with the side wall structure to form a plate-shaped composite element. This integration combines the cosmetic cover function with the structural side wall, creating a homogeneous interior surface while the fitting remains housed within the recess. The composite element unifies multiple functions into a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11499355B2Item of furniture having an attachable plate-shaped composite element with integrated fitting

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 AMBIGENCE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An item of furniture includes at least one furniture element and at least one fitting for guiding a movable furniture part. The fitting is integrated into a plate-shaped composite element that is mounted parallel to a wall of the at least one furniture element and is mounted inside the furniture element.