Piece of furniture having an outer attachment element with integrated fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture designs face challenges in accommodating large and complex flap hinges due to limited milling depth and material processing restrictions, which impede interior structuring and material selection, especially with non-machinable materials like glass or stone.

Innovation Solution

The integration of fittings into a plate-shaped attachment element placed outside the furniture body, allowing for a large installation depth and flexible material selection, including non-machinable materials, without compromising the interior's appearance or structurability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If fittings are integrated directly into the furniture body, then the interior storage space is reduced and interior structuring is impaired, but the fitting installation is simplified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable storage spaceVSAvoidfitting installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A plate-shaped attachment element serves as an intermediary component between the fitting and the furniture body. The attachment element is placed on the outside surface of the furniture body, carrying the fitting integrated into it. This mediator allows the fitting to be mounted without penetrating into the furniture body interior, thus preserving storage space while still providing a secure mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting mounting is moved from the interior dimension (inside the furniture body) to the exterior dimension (outside surface of the furniture body). By placing the attachment element on the outer surface and integrating the fitting into it, the solution transitions the mounting location to another spatial dimension, avoiding interference with interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If large flap fittings are used, then the installation depth requirement exceeds the available wall thickness, but larger fittings provide better guidance and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap guidance and stabilityVSAvoidinstallation depth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element extends the available installation depth by utilizing the exterior space in front of the furniture body wall. Instead of being constrained by the limited wall thickness (16-20 mm), the attachment element provides additional depth in the forward direction, allowing large flap fittings with installation depths exceeding 10-15 cm to be properly installed while maintaining reliable flap guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pockets are milled into the furniture body for hinge installation, then the interior remains free, but the wall thickness is reduced and material selection is limited to machinable materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selectionVSAvoidmilling process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-shaped attachment element acts as a mediator that eliminates the need to mill pockets into the furniture body. By placing the attachment element on the exterior surface and securing it with adhesive or mechanical fasteners, the solution avoids the milling process entirely, thereby enabling the use of non-machinable materials like glass, stone, or concrete for the furniture body while still providing a method for fitting installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If fittings are placed laterally on side edges, then flap access is improved, but the fittings protrude into the interior reducing storage space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap accessVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element serves as an intermediary that carries the fitting on the exterior surface of the furniture body rather than having the fitting protrude into the interior. This allows lateral placement for improved flap access while preventing intrusion into the storage space, as the attachment element and fitting are contained on the outer surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3589162B1Piece of furniture having an outer attachment element with integrated fitting
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 AMBIGENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3589162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3589162B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3589162B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a piece of furniture comprising at least one carcass (10, 10', 10'') and at least one fitting (30) for guiding a movable furniture part. Said piece of furniture is characterized in that the fitting (30) is integrated into an attachment element (40) which is oriented parallel to a wall of the at least one carcass (10, 10', 10'') and is located on the exterior of the carcass (10, 10', 10'').