Furniture system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 'floating' shelves have a limited load capacity and exposed mounting arrangements that detract from their aesthetic appeal, necessitating a solution that enhances both load-bearing capacity and visual concealment of mounting components.
Innovation Solution
A furniture system featuring interlocking tongue and groove connectors that conceal the mounting components, allowing the shelf to be cantilevered from a support panel while resisting rotation and disconnection, with a method of manufacturing that forms these connectors using material removal operations to ensure secure engagement and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional floating shelves use simple mounting brackets, then the aesthetic appeal is maintained with concealed mounting, but the load-bearing capacity is limited to 5-15 kg
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate interlocking tongue and groove pairs, each performing a specific function. The first tongue and groove pair resists rotation about the connector axis, while the second pair resists disconnection forces. This segmentation allows the complex loading conditions to be addressed by specialized sub-components, achieving high load capacity without requiring an monolithic complex connector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design extends beyond simple linear attachment by incorporating two interlocking pairs oriented at different orientations. This multi-dimensional interlocking approach transforms a one-dimensional attachment problem into a two-dimensional solution space, enabling the connector to resist both rotational and disconnection forces simultaneously.
2Strength
If mounting brackets are exposed for structural support, then the load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but the visual appeal is reduced due to exposed mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking tongue and groove connectors are nested within the shelf thickness and support structure, with the connectors positioned such that they are concealed from external view. The shelf rear surface extends to cover the connectors, creating a nested configuration where the functional mounting components are hidden within the overall shelf assembly, maintaining a clean floating appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is extracted from traditional exposed brackets and integrated directly into the shelf structure itself through the interlocking connectors. By taking out the separate bracket component and embedding the connector system within the shelf and support, the design achieves both structural integrity and aesthetic concealment.
3Reliability
If the shelf is securely fastened to prevent disconnection, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process transitions from a static direct insertion approach to a dynamic two-stage process. The shelf is first positioned with the first tongue and groove pair engaged to create a stable hinge, then pivoted to engage the second connector pair. This dynamic assembly sequence maintains secure connection while providing clear assembly guidance and mechanical advantage during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first tongue and groove pair is designed to engage preliminarily during assembly, creating a stable hinge position before the final locking action. This preliminary engagement guides the shelf into the correct position and orientation, making the subsequent engagement of the second connector pair straightforward and ensuring proper alignment for reliable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture system is provided having a support to be mounted to an upright structure of a building, and a shelf that is assembled onto the support. The shelf has a load-bearing surface, a front side, and a rear side with a first connector. The support has an outer face that includes at least one second connector. The first and second connectors are configured to interconnect such that, in the assembled the furniture system, the shelf is supported by the support with the load bearing surface projecting horizontally away from the upright structure, the first and second connectors resist rotation of the shelf about the first and second connectors by a force acting downwardly through the load bearing surface, and the first and second connectors resist disconnection of the shelf from the support by force applied to the shelf in a direction that is normal to the support.