Disassemblable Furniture Joint With Hidden Locking Bar Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dismountable furniture often has exposed and cumbersome connecting elements that are aesthetically unpleasing, pose safety risks, and can unintentionally loosen, making them difficult to operate.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates form-fitting recesses and projections with a hook-shaped or mushroom-shaped form-fitting pair, along with a locking mechanism that ensures secure and easy operation by hiding the connecting elements within the column element, preventing unintentional loosening and allowing for space-saving stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If connecting elements are exposed and free-standing, then assembly and disassembly can be performed, but safety risks increase and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly operationVSAvoidsafety risks from exposed connecting elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are nested within the column element housing. The locking bar, form-fitting projection, and other connection components are contained inside the column element, making them invisible and inaccessible during use, thereby eliminating safety risks while preserving assembly functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful exposed connecting elements are extracted from the external view and relocated into the interior of the column element. Only necessary interaction points (like the actuating element) remain accessible, while the problematic exposed components are removed from the external environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If connecting elements are exposed and free-standing, then assembly can be performed, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly operationVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

All connecting elements including the locking bar, form-fitting projection, and connection components are nested within the column element housing. This creates a clean, seamless aesthetic appearance while maintaining full assembly functionality through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If conventional connecting elements are used, then assembly can be performed, but unintentional loosening occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly operationVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking bar with locking wedge provides preliminary anti-action by continuously engaging with the form-fitting projection to prevent unintentional loosening. The spring element maintains constant locking force, and the anti-loosening design ensures the connection remains secure against vibrational or accidental forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The form-fitting connection is established preliminarily through the hook-shaped projection engaging the recess, and then the locking bar is activated to secure this connection before any operational forces are applied, preventing unintentional loosening from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If conventional connecting elements are used, then assembly can be performed, but operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex conventional connecting elements are extracted and replaced with a simplified actuating mechanism. The actuating element provides a single-motion interface that internally triggers the locking bar and spring mechanism, reducing external operational complexity while maintaining internal security features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2485621B1Piece of furniture capable of being disassembled
Publication Date: 2015.01.28 FUNKE DIETER
  • EP2485621B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2485621B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2485621B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a piece of furniture that is capable of being disassembled, comprising a foot element (1), a column element (2) and a usage element (3), wherein the foot element (1) or the usage element (3) has at least one form-fit recess (4), wherein one end of the column element (2) has a substantially hook-shaped form-fit projection (5), wherein the form-fit recess (4) is designed so as to allow the form-fit projection (5) to be introduced into and removed from the form-fit recess (4) in directions parallel to the longitudinal extension of the column element (2), wherein a form-fit connection can be established by rotating the column element (2), wherein a displaceable locking bar (8) is arranged on the inside of the column element (2), wherein in the locking position of the locking bar (8) a locking wedge (9) engages in a free portion (10) of the form-fit recess (4) in the form-fit position of the form-fit projection (5).