Furniture and assembly method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture assembly methods require mechanical fastening means and tools, making self-assembly complex and costly, while also posing challenges in manufacturing and packaging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A furniture design featuring resilient sections and a cross-member with interlocking dowel and recess mechanisms that allow for tool-free assembly and disassembly, providing robust mechanical stability without separate fastening means and using space-efficient packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical fastening means and tools are used for furniture assembly, then the mechanical stability of the joint is improved, but the ease of assembly and device complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture joint employs a self-assembly mechanism where the dowel automatically engages with the recess through a biasing force generated by the resilient sections. The user simply needs to move the cross-member in a travel direction, and the resilient sections automatically push the dowel into the recess and lock it in place without requiring any tools or additional fastening means.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient sections change their physical state from unstrained to strained, generating a biasing force that automatically pushes the dowel into the recess during assembly. This parameter change in the resilient sections enables the self-locking mechanism that provides strong joints without complex fastening means.
2Strength
If separate fastening means are used for furniture assembly, then the mechanical stability of the joint is improved, but the manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged into the structural components themselves. The dowel and recess are integral parts of the cross-member and sections, eliminating the need for separate fastening means such as screws, nails, or clips. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining joint strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-member serves multiple functions: it structurally connects the sections, provides the travel direction for assembly, and incorporates the dowel and recess mechanisms for self-locking. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated fastening components, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Strength
If traditional furniture assembly methods are used, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the packaging efficiency and handling ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture is divided into separate modular components (sections and cross-member) that can be efficiently packaged in a compact, space-efficient manner. The segmentation allows parts to be nested or stacked tightly during transportation, reducing packaging volume while enabling easy assembly at the destination through the self-assembly mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If the joint is designed to be easily assembled without tools, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the mechanical stability of the joint may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The self-assembly mechanism uses the resilient sections to automatically generate the locking action. The biasing force from the resilient sections ensures the dowel is firmly pushed into the recess and locked in place, providing strong mechanical stability without requiring tools or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient sections undergo a parameter change from unstrained to strained state during assembly, generating a continuous biasing force that maintains strong engagement between the dowel and recess. This elastic deformation provides both ease of assembly and strong mechanical stability.
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
Enables easy, secure assembly and disassembly of furniture without tools, reducing manufacturing and packaging costs while ensuring robustness and ease of handling, facilitating a wide range of furniture applications.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second sections are resilient relative to each other such that the gap may be widened or partly reduced by application of a force; as the respective dowel passes a section biasing portion in the intermediate portion of the associated recess, the first and second sections are resiliently forced away from each other providing a widened gap or forced towards each other providing a reduced gap and as the dowel reaches the locking portion the sections are relaxed compared to when the dowel passes the section biasing portion, thereby providing a bias of the dowel towards the locking portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a piece of furniture comprising: a first and a second resilient section (100A, 100B) mutually displaced from each other forming a gap (G) there between; a cross-member (200) configured to connect with the first section and the second section thereby bridging the gap;and a first and a second joint arrangement (300A, 300B) configured to attach the cross-member to the first and second section, respectively; wherein each of the first and second joint arrangements comprises a pair of: a male part (320) formed by a dowel (321) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end (322) facing away from a surface (101A, 01B) of the respective section or away from the surface of the cross- member; and a female part (330) formed by a recess (331) in the surface of the cross- member or in the surface of the respective section, the recess having a recess extent with an insertion portion (332), an intermediate portion (333), and a locking portion (335); wherein as the respective dowel passes a section biasing portion (334) in the intermediate portion, the first and second sections are resiliently displaced and as the dowel reaches the locking portion the sections are relaxed.