Furniture Connector Lever Fitting for Tool-Free Bore Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture connectors require tools for operation, which can be inconvenient and limit their accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A tool-free furniture connector featuring a cup-shaped housing with double-armed levers and a handle that rotates to spread or compress the levers, utilizing wedge lugs and teeth for anchoring, and optionally elastic tabs for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional furniture connector with a rotatably mounted tightening element and slot for screwdriver is used, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the operation requires tools which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting employs dynamic lever arms that can rotate and change position within the housing. The lever arms transition from a closed initial position to an opened end position, converting rotational motion into spreading force. This dynamic mechanism enables tool-free operation while maintaining connection strength through the mechanical advantage of the lever system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is designed to be self-operating through a simple handle that the user pulls to automatically activate the lever arms. The mechanism uses the user's pulling action to rotate the lever arms, which then self-spread to engage the furniture parts. No external tools are needed as the system converts the user's direct manipulation into the required spreading force.
2Strength
If the lever arms are spread apart to anchor the fitting securely, then the connection strength increases, but the housing may deform or fail to maintain structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates elastic circumferential tabs that act as pre-positioned cushioning elements. These tabs are designed to deflect elastically when the lever arms spread, absorbing the mechanical stress and preventing permanent deformation. The elastic tabs restore to their original position after engagement, maintaining housing integrity while allowing the lever arms to spread sufficiently for secure anchoring.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is designed to move from initial to end position to actuate the levers, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is merged with the actuating element into a single integrated component. The handle itself serves as the actuating element that directly contacts and rotates the lever arms when pulled. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuating mechanisms, reducing component count while maintaining ease of operation through the simple pull-action interface.
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
Enables secure, tool-free connection of furniture parts at angles by spreading or compressing the levers, ensuring a strong hold without the need for screwdrivers or other tools.
Implementation Method 1
the wedge noses and the teeth can press into the bore walls when the fitting is inserted into corresponding bores and anchor the fitting therein
Implementation Method 2
the housing preferably has at least one circumferential tab, in particular two circumferential tabs facing each other in the circumferential direction of the housing, which are elastically deflected or elastically deformed outwardly by the inner lever arms when the handle is moved from the starting position to the end position
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The fitting (1) according to the invention for connecting two parts (20, 30) comprises a cup-form housing (2) for insertion into an open-edge bore (21) in the one part (20), also comprises two double-armed levers (5, 6), which are connected in an articulated manner about an axis (4) running, in the housing (2), parallel to the cup axis (3) and which each have an inner lever arm (5a, 6a), which is arranged in the housing (2), and an outer lever arm (5b, 6b), which projects outwards beyond the circumference of the housing (2) and is intended for engaging in a surface-area bore (31) in the other part (30), and further comprises a handle (7), which can be moved from a starting position into an end position and has an actuating element (11) for rotating the inner lever arms (5a, 6a) in relation to one another such that the two outer lever arms (5b, 6b) are spread further apart in the end position of the handle (7) than in the starting position.