Furniture joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture joints are not suitable for post-shaped items with non-quadrangular cross sections, as the curved recesses are not fully covered, leading to aesthetic defects and potential assembly issues during self-assembly of furniture.
Innovation Solution
A furniture joint design featuring a first furniture part with two male dowels and a second part with two female recesses, where the dowels are guided into the recesses through a rotating movement, ensuring secure assembly without fastening means or tools, and allowing for separation without damage, with the recesses being concealed by a post or block-shaped item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curved recesses are used for furniture joints, then assembly is simplified and joining strength is improved, but the recesses become visible and create aesthetic defects when post-shaped items have small cross sections
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system is segmented into two distinct recess types: curved recesses for guiding and locking one dowel, and straight-linear recesses for guiding and locking the other dowel. This segmentation allows each recess type to be optimized for its specific function while managing visibility concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local qualities are applied to different recesses: the curved recess provides rotational guidance and locking for the first dowel, while the straight-linear recess provides linear guidance and locking for the second dowel. This local differentiation allows the joint to achieve both aesthetic concealment and mechanical strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple dowels with curved recesses are used for secure assembly, then joint stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system segments the locking mechanism into two independent dowel-recess pairs: one with curved geometry and one with straight-linear geometry. This segmentation distributes the stabilizing function across two simpler, specialized components rather than one complex component.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint employs asymmetric recess geometries (curved vs. straight-linear) to achieve stable assembly of multiple dowels. This asymmetry allows each dowel to be guided and locked in its optimal manner, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining joint stability.
3Strength
If traditional mechanical fastening means are used, then assembly strength is ensured, but assembly requires tools and fastening means that increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The dowels and recesses are designed to perform the fastening function themselves through their geometric interlocking. The curved and straight-linear recesses guide and lock the dowels during rotational assembly, eliminating the need for separate fastening means such as screws, nails, or clips.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, nails, clips) with a geometric interlocking system based on dowel-recess pairs. The specific curved and straight-linear recess geometries provide the necessary mechanical locking action without requiring additional fastening components.
4Stability of the object's composition
If furniture parts are designed for permanent assembly, then joint stability is maximized, but disassembly becomes difficult or damages the furniture parts
Solution Approach 1:
The joint transitions from a static connection to a dynamic one: the dowels can be freely inserted along the curved and straight-linear recesses during assembly, then rotated into a locked position. This dynamic mechanism allows the joint to be both stable when assembled and easily disassembled by reversing the rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly and disassembly process follows a periodic cycle: insertion along the recesses, rotation to locked position for stable assembly, and reverse rotation for disassembly. This periodic action allows the joint to switch between stable and easily separable states.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to furniture joint (1) comprising a first furniture part (5) having a first and a second male part (7, 8), and a second furniture part (6) having a first and a second female part (9, 10). The first and the second male parts (7, 8) each are formed by a dowel (11, 15) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end (12, 16). The first female part (9) is formed by a recess (18) having a curved extension between a first end portion (23) and a second end portion (24), said first end portion (23) forming an insertion portion (26). The second female part (10) is formed by a recess (25) having a straight-linear extension between a first end portion (60) and a second end portion (61), said first end portion (60) forming an insertion portion (32). The furniture joint (1) is adapted to be set to a mounting position by moving the first furniture part (5) along the longitudinal directions of said dowels (11, 15) such that the insertion portion (26) of the first female part (9) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (11) and such that the insertion portion (32) of the second female part (10) receives the free end (16) of the dowel (15), and from the mounting position to a locking position by rotating the first furniture part (5) in view of the second furniture part (6) such that the dowel (11) forming the first male part (7) is moved along the curved recess (18) from the first end portion (23) to the second end portion (24), while the dowel (15) forming the second male part (8) is rotated and moved along the straight- linear extension of the recess (25) from the first end portion (60) to the second end portion (61). The first and second furniture parts (5, 6) are in said locking position prevented from being separated in the longitudinal direction of said dowels (11, 15).