System of furniture design by a consumer through Internet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture designs do not allow for easy customization of ornamental appearance after assembly, requiring disassembly and reassembly which weakens the structure and is time-consuming, limiting the ability to change decorative elements without affecting the main structure.

Innovation Solution

A furniture designing system that allows consumers to customize furniture components and decorative elements through an online platform, enabling interchangeable decorative elements to be added or changed without disassembling the main structure, using methods like magnetic engagement and static cling, and incorporating LED light arrangements on non-utilizing surfaces for enhanced decoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If detachable connectors are used to enable component replacement, then the ability to customize ornamental appearance is improved, but the rigidity of the furniture structure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization abilityVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture is divided into two distinct segments: a permanent main supporting frame and interchangeable decorative elements. This segmentation allows the structural frame to remain fixed and rigid while the decorative portions can be easily replaced, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and customization ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative elements are extracted from the main structure as separate, removable components. By taking out the ornamental portions and making them interchangeable without requiring disassembly of the main frame, the system enables customization while preserving the rigidity of the permanent structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If traditional assembly methods are used for component replacement, then structural integrity is maintained, but the time and complexity of customization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcustomization time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The main supporting frame is pre-assembled and permanently fixed before the furniture is delivered to the customer. This preliminary action ensures structural integrity is established upfront, and subsequent customization only requires attaching or detaching pre-manufactured decorative elements without any disassembly or reassembly of the main structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical assembly methods requiring tools and disassembly are replaced with a simplified attachment system for decorative elements. The interchangeable elements use non-mechanical or minimal-mechanical attachment methods that allow quick replacement without affecting the permanently assembled main frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If furniture is designed as a one-piece structure, then structural rigidity is improved, but the ability to customize ornamental appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidcustomization ability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture design segments the structure into a permanent main supporting frame and interchangeable decorative elements. This segmentation maintains the rigidity benefits of a unified structure for the load-bearing components while enabling full customization of the ornamental portions through simple attachment and detachment of decorative elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 immediate and efficient customization of furniture designs without altering the main structure, reducing costs and time, while maintaining the furniture's rigidity and aesthetic appeal, allowing for various decorative and illuminating functions without occupying functional surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

using methods like magnetic engagement and static cling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic engagement: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

using methods like magnetic engagement and static cling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic cling: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

incorporating LED light arrangements on non-utilizing surfaces for enhanced decoration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLED light emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10628867B2System of furniture design by a consumer through Internet

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 FURNITURE OF AMERICA

AI summary

A method of design an article of furniture by consumer includes the steps of: providing a furniture customizing platform that the consumer is able to access the furniture customizing platform via an electronic device through Internet, selecting different barebone components to customize a furniture product on the furniture customizing platform; selecting different decorative elements for the furniture product, and generating a preview of a virtual furniture product with the selected decorative element. The decorative elements are interchangeably and selectively added-on to the furniture product to change an overall ornament design of the furniture product without disassembling the furniture product. Therefore, the customer is able to immediately change ornamental design of the furniture product by the decorative element without affecting the main structure of the furniture product.