Furniture Edge Coating With Flap-Locking Attachment Seat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for coating furnishing elements, particularly at corners and edges, suffer from inaccuracies and imperfections due to unsightly wrinkles and overlapping portions, especially when using thicker materials like leather, leading to precision and cost issues with long realization times.

Innovation Solution

A furnishing element with an attachment element at the edge that includes an attachment seat for folding and locking flaps of the coating material, ensuring precise and taut coverage without wrinkles, using a mechanism that allows for quick and repeatable results regardless of operator skill.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual coating method is used with skilled operators, then coating precision can be improved, but production time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating precisionVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for structural support, a seat portion for receiving the coating flap, and a fastening portion for securing the coating. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling precise coating application without requiring lengthy manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment element is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The seat portion automatically positions the coating flap, and the fastening portion secures it through a simple insertion motion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation by skilled operators, achieving both precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual coating at corners is performed carefully, then wrinkle formation is reduced, but realization time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge coating qualityVSAvoidrealization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is pre-configured with the seat and fastening portions in their optimal positions before the coating operation. The seat portion is pre-shaped to receive the coating flap at the correct angle and position, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during the coating process at corners and edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex manual mechanical manipulation required for precise corner coating is replaced by a simple insertion and fastening motion. The attachment element's geometry guides the coating flap into the correct position, substituting skilled manual dexterity with a straightforward mechanical operation that is both fast and precise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If thicker materials like leather are used, then durability is improved, but coating complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoidcoating operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is designed with locally optimized features for handling thick materials. The seat portion has sufficient depth and width to accommodate thick coating flaps like leather, while the fastening portion provides adequate clamping force. This local adaptation allows thick durable materials to be used without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment element utilizes the third dimension (depth) to accommodate thick coating materials. By providing a seat with adequate depth, the design allows thick materials like leather to be inserted and secured without requiring complex surface-level manipulation, thus maintaining operational simplicity while supporting durable thick materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional coating methods are used, then flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing precision at edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating flexibilityVSAvoidedge coating accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to different coating materials and thicknesses. The fastening portion can accommodate variations in coating flexibility, and the seat portion can adjust to different flap sizes. This dynamic design maintains versatility while ensuring precise edge coating through the geometric constraints of the attachment structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3081113B1Furnishing element provided with coating and method of coating a furnishing element

Publication Date: 2018.10.03 ARPER

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AI summary

A furnishing element (4) comprising a frame (8) having at least a first and a second wall (12, 24) incident to each other so as to identify an edge (20), at least one coating (24) associated with and superposed on said frame (8) so as to coat at least partially said walls (12, 16) and said edge (20). Advantageously, the frame (8), in correspondence of said edge (20), comprises an attachment element (36) which delimits an attachment seat (40) open in the vicinity of said first and second wall (12, 16), and in wherein the coating (24) comprises at least two flaps (52) folded and inserted inside the attachment seat (40), wherein said attachment seat (40) locks the flaps (52) on the inside against the inner walls (56) of the seat itself.