Concealed Furniture Panel Joint for Play-Free Shelf Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining systems for furniture units lack invisible assembly and fail to provide sufficient elastic force for stable horizontal-to-vertical panel connections, resulting in potential horizontal play and visible milled openings.
Innovation Solution
A concealed joining system featuring a pin with a deformable main body and a spring mechanism, where the pin is recessed into the shelf edge and the main body has a notch and inclined chute to elastically pull the shelf towards the upright, ensuring stable and invisible assembly without visible holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a joining device with projecting pins is used to connect panels, then the connection stability is improved, but visible milled openings are created on the panel surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful visible milled openings are extracted and replaced by a concealed joining mechanism. The pin is inserted through a groove rather than requiring visible openings on the panel surfaces, and the joining device is positioned to be hidden from view, thus removing the harmful visual effect while maintaining connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A groove is introduced as an intermediary element between the pin and the panel surface. The groove allows the pin to be inserted and engaged without creating visible openings on the panel, serving as a mediator that enables the connection while concealing the joining mechanism from view.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid supports are used to connect shelves to side walls, then vertical stability is achieved, but horizontal play between components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device incorporates elastic elements (springs) that provide dynamic, adaptable connection rather than rigid fixed positioning. The elastic components allow for slight movements and adjustments, absorbing horizontal play while maintaining overall stability, thus resolving the contradiction between rigid vertical support and horizontal position fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the joining device are changed by incorporating elastic elements that can deform and recover. This parameter change from rigid to elastic allows the connection to accommodate both vertical stability requirements and horizontal position fixation by providing controlled flexibility in the joining mechanism.
3Reliability
If elastic joining elements are used to pull panels together, then horizontal stability is improved, but the joining device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated joining device structure. The elastic elements, pin insertion mechanism, and panel connection features are combined into one unified component that provides both horizontal stability and structural connection, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved horizontal stability.
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
The system provides stable and reversible connections between panels, eliminating horizontal play and visible openings, while allowing for easy disassembly and enhanced structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring housed inside said cylinder and compressed between the bottom of the cylinder and the head of the pin
Implementation Method 2
a main body having a substantially circular section at least partially deformable when in engagement with the head of the pin so as to flexibly draw together the shelf and the upright
Data Source
Figure 1~4B
Figure 5~7
Figure 8a~8c
AI summary
A joining system (100) for fastening together a shelf (H) and an upright (V) of a piece of furniture or the like is described, the joining system comprising a joining device (10) configured so as to be recessed into the edge (H2) of the shelf and a pin (50) fixed to the upright, wherein said pin comprises a cylinder (52) configured so as to be inserted into a hole (V1) of the upright and a head (56) flexibly protruding from said cylinder; wherein said joining device comprises a main body (20) having substantially circular section at least partially deformable when in engagement with the head of the pin so as to flexibly draw together the shelf and the upright; wherein said joining device comprises a chute (29) configured so as to cooperate with the head of the pin when the shelf must be unhooked from the upright.