System comprising a first and second furniture part and a locking arrangement, and use of the system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture assembly systems require tooling and may allow for unintentional dismounting, which is aesthetically undesirable and poses safety risks, especially when connecting parts with narrow cross sections like tubes.
Innovation Solution
A locking arrangement featuring a recess with an oblong shape and a locking plug with a friction surface that abuts a guiding surface, providing a robust and aesthetically concealed connection between furniture parts, including those with limited cross sections, using a protrusion and locking plug that occupies the insertion portion to prevent accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dowel is inserted into a recess with an insertion portion and locking portion to enable tool-free assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but the insertion portion becomes visible and aesthetically undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plug is inserted into the insertion portion of the recess, effectively nesting one component inside another. The locking plug occupies the insertion portion and covers it from view, while the protrusion is nested within the recess structure. This nesting arrangement hides the insertion portion completely, resolving the aesthetic issue while maintaining the tool-free assembly benefit.
2Ease of operation
If a two-directional movement locking system is used for easy mounting, then ease of operation is improved, but unintentional dismounting becomes possible creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism inverts the conventional approach by requiring a specific sequential operation: first insert the protrusion into the recess, then insert the locking plug into the insertion portion. The locking plug acts as a barrier that prevents the protrusion from moving back out. This inversion of the typical locking sequence ensures that dismounting cannot occur unintentionally, as the locking plug must be deliberately removed first.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plug performs a preliminary blocking action by occupying the insertion portion before the protrusion can be fully seated in the recess. This preliminary placement of the locking plug prevents any backward movement of the protrusion, thereby preventing unintentional dismounting while maintaining easy intentional assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If furniture parts with narrow cross sections are connected, then adaptability is improved, but the insertion portion cannot be covered and hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plug is designed to be inserted into and occupy the insertion portion of the recess. This nesting arrangement allows the locking plug to completely cover the insertion portion from view, even when the furniture parts have narrow cross sections. The protrusion is simultaneously nested within the recess structure, creating a compact joint that works effectively with narrow cross section parts while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
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
The solution enables tool-free assembly of furniture parts with a secure, aesthetically pleasing connection that prevents unintentional disassembly, suitable for various materials and configurations, including extruded tubes, ensuring safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the locking plug comprises a friction surface extending along the longitudinal direction, said friction surface being configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guiding surface of the protrusion
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system comprising a first furniture part (100; 100'), a second furniture part (200; 200') and a locking arrangement is provided. The first furniture part comprising a recess (101; 101') having an insertion portion (102; 102') and a locking portion (103; 103'). The locking portion comprises a groove (104; 104').along an inner wall thereof. The second furniture part comprises a wall portion having an extension along a longitudinal direction (L). The locking arrangement comprises: a protrusion (400; 400') forming part of or being attachable to the second furniture part, and having an extension along the longitudinal direction (L) towards a free end of the protrusion (400; 400'), and comprising a rim (401; 401') extending transverse the longitudinal direction (L) and along at least a part of the protrusion's circumference; a locking plug (300; 300') configured to be lockingly inserted into the insertion portion in a condition when the protrusion has been inserted into the insertion portion and has been transferred to the locking portion. The locking plug is configured to at least partly occupy the insertion portion and thereby counteract transferring of the protrusion towards the insertion portion. The locking plug comprises a friction surface (303: 303') extending along the longitudinal direction (L). The friction surface is configured to lockingly or wedgingly abut a guiding surface (402; 402') of the protrusion when the locking plug has been inserted into the insertion portion.