Construction kit for construction of a framelike body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction kits for creating framelike bodies are limited in versatility and aesthetics, often resulting in kits with protrusions, openings, or visual distractions, which are not suitable for utility articles like furniture or enclosures, and lack efficient mounting systems for closure elements.
Innovation Solution
A construction kit comprising panels and separate corner connectors that use a plug-together principle to form a framelike body with smooth exterior surfaces and internal mounting channels, allowing for customizable sizes and secure attachment of closure elements, featuring hollow panels with sockets and projections for secure interlocking and enhanced rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If construction kits use traditional fasteners, brackets and connectors for assembling panels, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connectors are divided into separate modular components that interface with panel sockets, allowing the connector itself to be a distinct replaceable unit rather than an integrated fastening system. This segmentation enables simpler individual components that assemble through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner connector acts as an intermediary element between panels, providing a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process. The connector mediates the joining function, allowing panels to be connected through a uniform mechanism rather than requiring complex direct fastening between panel surfaces.
2Strength
If construction kits use traditional fasteners and connectors, then the structural strength is improved, but the assembly time and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connectors are pre-formed as complete assembly units with integrated fastening features. The connectors are manufactured ready-to-install with all necessary connection elements already in place, eliminating the need for on-site assembly of multiple fastening components and reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized corner connector serves as a mediator that simplifies the assembly process by providing a uniform interface between panels. This intermediary component enables consistent, repeatable connections that can be assembled quickly without requiring complex alignment or multiple fastening operations.
3Strength
If construction kits use protruding connectors and ribs on panel surfaces, then the structural connection is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and smoothness of exterior surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection functionality is extracted from the panel surfaces themselves and relocated to separate corner connector elements. By removing the protruding connectors and ribs from the visible panel surfaces and consolidating them into dedicated corner pieces, the aesthetic quality of the exterior surfaces is preserved while maintaining structural connection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex connection features are localized to specific corner regions where they are functionally necessary but aesthetically less critical. The corner connectors concentrate all fastening and joining features at the panel intersections, allowing the main panel surfaces to maintain smooth, uninterrupted exteriors while still achieving strong structural connections at the joints.
4Device complexity
If construction kits lack integrated mounting channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility for mounting closure elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting channel functionality is merged into the corner connector design itself. The recesses formed by the corner connectors and panels create integrated mounting channels that are built into the structural assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting systems while providing continuous channels for securing closure elements like doors.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner connectors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural connection between panels, create smooth exterior surfaces, and form integrated mounting channels for closure elements. This multi-functionality increases the versatility of the construction kit without adding separate components, as the same corner connector enables both structural assembly and subsequent mounting operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A construction kit for construction of a framelike body (10) comprises a plurality of panels (21, 22, 23) for providing a top wall (11), bottom wall (12) and two opposite side walls (13) of the body and a plurality of corner connectors (25) for connecting the panels together to form the body. Each of the panels has a socket at each of its mutually opposite ends and each panel is dimensioned to have a thickness (C) smaller than its length (A) and width (B), the thickness being the same for all panels. Each corner connector (25) has two mutually orthogonal projections each engageable in a respective one of the sockets so as to connect the panel having that socket to the connector in a play-free manner. The panels (21 to 23) are connectible together by the connectors (25) so that the perimeter of the body (10) constructed by the kit contains sides of the panels having the panel length and width dimensions (A, B). The panels (21 to 23) and connectors (25) are dimensioned so that the body (10) is externally bounded by three mutually orthogonal pairs of spacedapart planar faces. The body (10) constructed by the kit is internally bounded by planar faces and the corner connectors (25) and panels (21 - 23) are formed with recesses (41, 42) for providing a continuous component mounting channel in the internally bounding planar faces in the vicinity of an intended front face of the framelike body formed by sides of the panels (21 - 23) having the length and thickness dimensions (A, C).