Item of furniture having an attachable plate-shaped composite element with integ rated fitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture designs face challenges in accommodating flap fittings without obstructing the interior space or restricting material selection, as conventional fittings protrude into the furniture body and are difficult to integrate with non-machinable materials like glass or stone.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a plate-shaped composite element within the furniture body, which houses the lever mechanism for guiding movable parts, allowing the fitting to be completely enclosed and enabling the use of materials that are hard to process, while maintaining a uniform and visually appealing interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fittings are mounted on the inside of the side panel, then the lever mechanism can guide the flap effectively, but the fitting protrudes into the interior of the furniture carcass, reducing usable storage space and impairing interior organization
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism is nested within a recess in the side panel, allowing the fitting to be partially embedded in the side panel rather than protruding into the interior. The recess accommodates the housing and lever mechanism, while only the mounting elements and part of the lever mechanism extend into the interior space, significantly reducing the space occupied by the fitting.
2Ease of manufacture
If a pocket is milled into the end face of the side panel for mounting door hinges, then the inside of the side panel remains free, but the installation depth is limited by milling depth and wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of milling a pocket from the end face of the side panel (one-dimensional approach), the invention creates a recess in the side panel (two-dimensional approach), allowing the fitting to be mounted laterally. This dimensional change enables sufficient installation depth for the lever mechanism without compromising the structural integrity of the side panel or limiting the choice of materials.
3Strength
If materials like glass, stone, or concrete are used for the furniture carcass, then aesthetic appeal and durability are improved, but pockets cannot be milled or are difficult to machine economically
Solution Approach 1:
The side panel is segmented to create a recess that accommodates the fitting, rather than requiring a complete pocket through the entire thickness of the panel. This segmentation allows the use of difficult-to-machine materials like glass, stone, or concrete, as the recess can be created using appropriate fabrication methods for these materials without requiring deep milling through the entire panel thickness.
4Volume of stationary object
If the housing is partially recessed laterally into the side panel, then some space is saved, but both the housing and lever mechanism still protrude into the interior, hindering interior organization
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is nested within a recess in the side panel, and the lever mechanism is nested within the housing. This nested arrangement minimizes the protrusion into the interior space, allowing only the essential mounting elements and part of the lever mechanism to extend into the interior, thereby preserving interior organization flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to an item of furniture comprising at least one furniture element (10) and at least one fitting (30) for guiding a movable furniture part. Said item of furniture is characterized in that the fitting (30) is integrated into a plate-shaped composite element (20) which is mounted parallel to a wall of the at least one furniture element (10) and is mounted inside the furniture element (10).