Furniture Panel Joint With Rear-Hidden Front-Access Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture joining methods require visible holes and complex mechanisms, making them aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to activate, especially in limited spaces, and often create obstacles on the furniture surface.
Innovation Solution
A joint system with a prismatic container and pressure plugs that allows for front activation without visible holes, using a pin and butt mechanism with interlocking components on the same plane, minimizing holes and enabling easy access and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional joining mechanisms are used, then secure interconnection of panels is achieved, but visible holes and complex mechanisms make them aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the joining mechanism from visible view by placing it inside a container that attaches to the panel rear surface. The container houses all joining components (pin, butt, spring, cam element) internally, so only the container itself is visible on the panel rear, eliminating the need for visible holes through the panel faces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the pin, butt, spring, and cam element mechanisms inside the container. The container acts as an outer shell that contains and protects the internal joining mechanism, allowing secure connection while maintaining a clean external appearance.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms with multiple components are used, then secure joining is achieved, but activation becomes difficult in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the activation approach by using a cam element that converts rotational motion into linear expansion motion of the butt. Instead of directly pushing the butt forward, the cam element is rotated (easier action) which then automatically drives the butt forward through cam action, making activation simpler while maintaining secure joining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a spring that provides dynamic force to push the butt forward during activation. The spring stores energy and releases it during the joining process, enabling the mechanism to overcome resistance and achieve secure connection with minimal user effort, especially in limited spaces.
3Reliability
If traditional joining methods are used, then panels are securely connected, but they create obstacles on the furniture surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the joining mechanism from the panel front surface by placing it in a container that attaches to the panel rear. This eliminates protruding elements on the furniture surface that would create obstacles, while still achieving secure panel connection through the internal mechanism.
4Reliability
If multiple holes are made in panels for joining, then secure connection is achieved, but aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the joining mechanism from visible panel surfaces by placing it in a container that attaches to the panel rear. This eliminates the need for visible holes through panel faces, preserving aesthetic appearance while achieving secure connection through the internal container-based mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests all joining components (pin, butt, spring, cam element) inside the container, which itself attaches to the panel. This nested structure allows secure connection to be achieved through minimal visible elements while maintaining panel aesthetic appearance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint for firmly interconnecting a first panel (12) and a second panel (11) of furniture and other furnishing items positioned perpendicular to each other, wherein said joint is provided with at least one fixing element (18) to the first panel (12) and comprises a plurality of interconnection and blocking components for joining and firmly blocking the two panels (11, 12) together, wherein, in the joint, the plurality of components lie on the same plane (A) which is parallel and interspaced with respect to the first panel (12) and perpendicular with respect to the second panel (11).