Floating Ring Locking Collar for Tool-Free Furniture Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture components require tools and skilled technicians for assembly and disassembly, making them cumbersome and inefficient for on-site assembly and reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A connection system comprising a float assembly with a floating ring and a locking assembly, including a locking collar and base retainer, allows for easy adjustment and secure fixation of furniture components without tools, enabling height adjustment and tool-free assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional connection systems are used for furniture assembly, then the connection strength and stability are sufficient, but the assembly and disassembly require tools and skilled technicians, increasing complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a float assembly with a floating ring for positioning, a base retainer for attachment to the support, and a locking collar with engagement members for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling tool-free assembly while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The floating ring provides self-aligning capability that automatically positions the work surface relative to the support during assembly. The engagement members on the locking collar automatically engage with the floating ring when the locking collar is rotated, creating a self-locking mechanism that requires no tools or specialized skills to operate
2Productivity
If conventional connection systems are used, then the structural stability is maintained, but the adjustment of component positions requires additional tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The base retainer is pre-attached to the support structure, and the floating ring is pre-attached to the work surface. When assembly is required, these pre-prepared components are simply brought together and secured by rotating the locking collar, eliminating the need for tools or complex assembly procedures and significantly reducing assembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar can be easily rotated between locked and unlocked positions, dynamically changing the state of the connection from fixed to adjustable and back. This dynamic mechanism allows for quick reconfiguration and disassembly without tools, enhancing productivity for furniture assembly and reconfiguration
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to enable fixed positioning, then the position stability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement members on the locking collar act as intermediaries that translate the simple rotational motion of the locking collar into a secure mechanical engagement with the floating ring. This intermediary mechanism provides stable locking through the engagement of protrusions with corresponding recesses, while the operation remains simple because it only requires rotating the collar without any complex adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, washers) with a simplified rotational locking mechanism. The locking collar rotates to engage or disengage the engagement members from the floating ring, substituting a multi-step mechanical assembly process with a single rotational motion that provides stable positioning while remaining easy to operate
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3D
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AI summary
A connection system includes a float assembly and a locking assembly. The float assembly includes a floating ring and a float retainer disposed against the floating ring. The float retainer is adapted to be secured to a first object. The locking assembly includes a locking collar and a base retainer. The base retainer is coupled to the locking collar and adapted to be attached to a second object. The base retainer includes an engagement member engaging the floating ring, with the float retainer disposed between the floating ring and the locking assembly. The locking assembly is moveable between a first configuration wherein the float retainer is moveable relative to the locking assembly and a second configuration wherein the float retainer is fixed relative to the locking assembly.