Furniture Functional Unit Fastening with Hinge and Tool-Free Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for fastening functional units in furniture lack ease of assembly, tool-free attachment, and efficient exchangeability, as they often require disassembly and do not allow for easy access behind the carrier.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a hinge and two holding elements with a locking mechanism and elastic catch, allowing the carrier to be pivoted and detached for easy assembly and maintenance, with a U-shaped profile for increased stability, enabling tool-free attachment and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier is rigidly fixed to the furniture body, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of assembly and exchange of functional units deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into separate components: holding elements mounted on the furniture body, a carrier that can be attached and detached, and locking devices that secure the connection. This segmentation allows the carrier to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining stability when locked, resolving the contradiction between rigid fixation and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be moved from its mounted position by detaching from the holding elements. The locking devices provide a transition between a fixed stable state and a movable detachable state, enabling both structural stability during use and ease of assembly/exchange.
2Reliability
If the carrier is permanently attached to the furniture body, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of repair and functional unit exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into the carrier, holding elements, and locking devices. The locking devices provide reliable connection when engaged, while allowing the carrier to be detached for repair or exchange. This segmentation enables both reliable operation and easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking devices can be extracted or disengaged to remove the carrier from the holding elements, enabling functional unit exchange without permanent attachment. The locking mechanism provides reliable connection during normal operation but allows easy removal when needed for repair or replacement.
3Ease of operation
If the carrier is made accessible from behind the furniture body, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring access from the front or top of the furniture body, the holding elements are mounted on the furniture body in such a way that the carrier can be attached and detached from behind the furniture body. This inverted approach to accessibility simplifies assembly by allowing workers to access the mounting area from the rear, avoiding the need to disassemble front panels or other components.
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
Facilitates simple and rapid assembly, easy exchange of functional units, and improved access to the area behind the carrier without removal, enhancing the usability and stability of the furniture.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier (3) can be moved from its mounted position in a simple manner by means of a hinge (6)
Implementation Method 2
the device has an elastic or spring-loaded catch formed on the holding element or on the carrier
Implementation Method 3
the device has an elastic or spring-loaded catch formed on the holding element or on the carrier
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (20) for fastening a functional unit (12) in a furniture body (11), wherein the functional unit (12) is pre-installed on a support (3) and wherein two retaining elements (1, 2) are installed on the furniture body (11), wherein the retaining elements (1, 2) retain the preferably elongated support (3) at the ends, wherein one retaining element (1) is designed as a hinge (6) and wherein the support (3) is pivotably connected to the retaining element (1) installed on the furniture body (11).