Furniture Connecting Bolt Locking Structure for Stable Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting bolts for furniture components made of particle-like, MDF-like, or wood-like materials lack a robust mechanism to enhance the connection stability and ease of assembly, particularly when dealing with varying panel thicknesses and material types.
Innovation Solution
A connecting bolt with a bolt head featuring a locking projection opposite the bolt projection, combined with a socket having a socket opening and a locking recess, allowing the bolt head to engage securely within the socket, enhancing the connection stability and ease of assembly by ensuring the bolt projection engages behind a transverse face and the locking projection fits into a recess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connecting bolt with a single bolt projection is used to connect furniture components, then the assembly is simple and quick, but the connection stability and extraction resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt head is segmented into multiple functional elements: a bolt projection for initial engagement and a separate locking projection for securing the connection. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, improving connection stability without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking projection acts as an intermediary element between the bolt shaft and bolt projection, providing an additional mechanical interlock with the socket. This intermediary feature enhances the connection reliability by preventing accidental disengagement while maintaining a relatively simple bolt structure.
2Reliability
If a connecting bolt without a locking mechanism is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection can be accidentally disassembled and extraction resistance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segregated into a distinct locking projection separate from the main bolt shaft and bolt projection. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be manufactured as an integrated feature of the bolt head through standard molding or forming processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing reliable anti-disassembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking projection is designed to automatically engage with the socket during the assembly process without requiring additional manual operations or tools. The bolt head self-secures into the socket through the interplay between the bolt projection and locking projection, providing self-service locking that enhances reliability without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If a connecting bolt with enhanced locking features is added to improve connection stability, then the extraction resistance increases, but the ease of operation and assembly speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking projection is pre-positioned on the bolt head in a ready-to-engage configuration. During assembly, as the bolt is inserted into the socket, the locking projection automatically aligns and engages with the corresponding feature in the socket without requiring additional steps or adjustments. This preliminary positioning ensures high extraction resistance while maintaining rapid assembly speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates automatically during the insertion process itself. The geometry of the locking projection and its interaction with the socket create a self-securing action that occurs as part of the basic assembly motion, eliminating the need for separate locking operations and preserving ease of operation and assembly speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting bolt has a bolt shank and a bolt head which has a radially outwardly projecting bolt projection. The bolt head has a latching projection between the bolt shank and the bolt projection on the side opposite the bolt projection.