Furniture Panel Assembly With Flexible Tongue Multi-Plane Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture assembly methods lack sufficient strength and stability, particularly in products like bookshelves and wardrobe closets, where the mechanical locking systems do not effectively utilize the structural elements to enhance rigidity and ease of assembly/disassembly.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flexible tongue locking device arranged in an insertion groove, which cooperates with a tongue groove for locking elements together, along with edge section grooves and dismantling grooves, allows for increased strength and stability by connecting elements in multiple planes, facilitating assembly and disassembly while providing a means to unlock the system using a dismantling tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical locking system with a flexible tongue is used to connect panels, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the strength and stability of the furniture product deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to connect elements in multiple planes simultaneously. The flexible tongue engages with the tongue groove in one plane while the edge section engages with the edge section groove in a perpendicular plane, creating a multi-dimensional connection that enhances both ease of assembly and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a flexible tongue for one type of engagement and an edge section for another type of engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide both ease of assembly and strong connection.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical locking system with a flexible tongue is used to connect panels, then the ease of disassembly is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-plane engagement mechanism ensures reliable connection through multi-dimensional locking while maintaining ease of disassembly. The flexible tongue and edge section work together in different planes to create a robust connection that can be reliably released when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tongue provides dynamic engagement capability, allowing the locking device to adapt during assembly and disassembly operations. The flexibility enables the tongue to deform during insertion and release, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining a secure and reliable connection when locked.
3Strength
If elements are connected in multiple planes, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking device. The flexible tongue and edge section are combined in one component that simultaneously provides engagement in multiple planes, achieving high structural integrity without requiring multiple separate locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: engaging the flexible tongue with the tongue groove in one plane and the edge section with the edge section groove in another plane. This multi-functionality provides strong structural integrity while avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized locking devices.
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 enhances the structural integrity and ease of assembly of furniture products by ensuring secure locking in multiple directions and enabling efficient disassembly, addressing the limitations of conventional methods by providing a robust and versatile locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove at one of the at least three elements, said flexible tongue cooperates with a tongue groove, at an adjacent one of the at least three elements, for locking the one element and the adjacent element together
Data Source
AI summary
An assembled product includes at least three elements arranged in three different planes. A first element is connected perpendicular to a second element, and a third element is connected perpendicular to the second element. The assembled product includes one or more locking devices, each comprising a flexible tongue arranged in an insertion groove one of the at least three elements. The flexible tongue cooperates with a tongue groove, at an adjacent one of the at least three elements, for locking the one element and the adjacent element together. A second edge of the second element is connected to a second edge of the third element by a first of said locking devices.