Furniture Panel Recess Design for Flush Fitting Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture construction methods face challenges in accommodating large and complex door or flap fittings within the limited thickness of furniture side walls, leading to reduced storage space, obstructed interior access, and non-uniform surface finishes.
Innovation Solution
A construction panel with a machinable core and cover layers, where the recess for the fitting is introduced during production, allowing for large installation depths and uniform surface quality, enabling the use of fittings with greater depth without protruding externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fittings are installed on the inner side of the side wall, then the furniture body can accommodate door or flap fittings, but the usable storage space is reduced and the interior structure is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is nested within a recess that is integrated into the side wall structure itself. The recess is formed by removing material from the core during production, allowing the fitting to be accommodated within the wall thickness rather than protruding into the storage space. This nesting approach allows the fitting to be housed within the existing wall volume without encroaching on the usable interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the fitting accommodation from the interior dimension (protruding into storage space) to the wall thickness dimension. By creating a recess that extends through the wall thickness and providing access from the outer surface, the fitting is accommodated in the wall dimension rather than the interior storage dimension, thus preserving usable space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fittings are installed on the inner side of the side wall, then door or flap guidance is enabled, but cleaning of the interior is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is extracted from the interior space and relocated to the outer surface through the recess design. The recess provides an opening from the outer surface that allows the fitting to be accessed and removed from the interior, enabling easy cleaning of the inner side of the side wall without obstruction from protruding fitting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is nested within a recess that is open to the outer surface, allowing the interior surface to remain smooth and cleanable while the fitting is accommodated within the wall structure. The nesting design ensures that no parts of the fitting protrude into the interior space where they would obstruct cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If a recess is milled from the end face of the side wall to accommodate the fitting, then the inner side of the side wall remains free, but the installation depth is limited by the wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is designed to extend through the entire wall thickness from the outer surface to the inner surface, changing the approach from milling a pocket within the wall to creating a through-opening. This dimensional change allows the fitting to be accommodated with sufficient installation depth while keeping the inner side of the wall free and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of milling the recess from the inner surface (which would limit depth), the recess is created by removing material from the outer surface and extending through the wall. This inverted approach to recess creation allows the full wall thickness to be utilized for fitting accommodation while maintaining inner surface freedom.
4Length of stationary object
If the side wall thickness is increased to accommodate deeper fittings, then larger fittings can be installed, but the overall furniture dimensions and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is nested within a recess that utilizes the existing wall thickness efficiently. The recess is shaped to accommodate the fitting volume within the available wall space, maximizing the use of existing material rather than requiring additional wall thickness. This nesting approach allows deep fittings to be installed without increasing overall wall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess geometry is optimized to provide sufficient installation depth for the fitting while maintaining the existing wall thickness parameters. By changing the internal geometry (creating the recess) rather than changing the external dimensions (increasing wall thickness), the fitting installation depth is increased without increasing material usage or overall furniture dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction panel for a side of an item of furniture of a furniture body includes a plate-shaped central part having a first front surface and other front surfaces, and a cut-out arranged in the central part. The cut-out extends at least along one section of the first front surface of the construction panel and is used to accommodate a stop that guides a moveable furniture part. The construction panel includes, in the region of at least one of the additional front surfaces, at least one machinable section that is outside of the cut-out.