Furniture Panel Assembly with Recessed Movement Fitting Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Furniture panels with integrated movement fittings face challenges in maintaining a uniform appearance and surface quality while allowing for easy replacement of the fittings, as existing solutions either protrude into the furniture body or require significant manufacturing effort.

Innovation Solution

A furniture panel assembled from two partial panels with a recess extending from a side surface and end face, accommodating a mounting element that allows the movement fitting to be completely inserted, with means for fastening and easy removal, such as adhesive bonding and guide webs, ensuring minimal protrusion and maintaining surface integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the movement fitting is inserted into a recess in the furniture panel, then the fitting is positioned recessed relative to the surface, but the fitting is still visible on at least one side and prevents the side surface from being homogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface homogeneityVSAvoidvisual disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture panel is divided into two partial panels that are joined together, with the recess and mounting element formed through this segmentation. This allows the fitting to be housed within the joint between panels rather than disrupting a single panel's surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movement fitting is nested within the mounting element, which is in turn nested within the recess formed by the two partial panels. This multi-level nesting conceals the fitting completely while maintaining surface homogeneity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the fitting is screwed onto the inside of the side panel, then the fitting is functional, but it protrudes into the interior of the furniture body and requires additional cover panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting functionalityVSAvoidusable interior volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting is extracted from the interior space and repositioned within the mounting element that is integrated into the panel structure. This removes the protrusion into the furniture body's interior while maintaining the fitting's functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting is relocated from protruding into the third dimension (interior volume) to being recessed within the panel's thickness dimension, effectively using the panel depth to accommodate the fitting without encroaching on usable interior space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If a double side panel structure is used to cover the fitting, then the wall surface is continuous and homogeneous, but the manufacturing effort is high and the wall thickness is greater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface continuityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The recess and mounting element are merged into a single integrated component that is formed by joining two partial panels. This combines multiple functions (recess formation, mounting element integration, fitting housing) into one manufacturing process step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint between the two partial panels serves multiple functions: it structurally connects the panels, forms the recess, integrates the mounting element, and conceals the fitting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cover panels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Shape

If the fitting is inserted into a mounting element in a recess, then the fitting is recessed, but replacing the fitting requires considerable effort and removal of cover panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecessed positioningVSAvoidfitting replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with locking springs that can be actuated to release and reposition the fitting. This allows the fitting to be easily removed and replaced without permanent fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking springs automatically engage with the fitting to secure it in position, and can be manually actuated to release. This self-securing and self-releasing mechanism eliminates the need for tools or removal of panels for fitting replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 the movement fitting to be fully recessed within the panel, maintaining the furniture's aesthetic and functional integrity, with the ability to be easily replaced without compromising the panel's strength or stability.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive layer, the at least one side of the mounting element, and/or the recess have a structured surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3735153B1Method for integrating an assembly element for a movement fitting into a furniture panel, and furniture panel with integrated assembly element
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 AMBIGENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3735153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3735153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3735153B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a furniture panel (40) with an integrated assembly element (50) for receiving a movement fitting (30) for movable furniture parts. The assembly element (50) has at least one lateral wall (51) and is inserted into a recess (411, 421) of the furniture panel (40). The furniture panel (40) is assembled from at least two sub-panels (41, 42), wherein the recess (42) extends in at least one sub-panel (41, 42) from a lateral surface (412, 422) of the sub-panel (41, 42) and from at least one end face of the furniture panel (40), and the recess (42) is aligned in the direction of the at least one other sub-panel (41, 42). At least the lateral wall (51) of the assembly element (50) is connected to a counter surface of the recess (411, 421) in a force-fitting or bonded manner, and the assembly element (50) has means for securing the movement fitting (30). The movement fitting (30) can be substantially completely inserted into the furniture panel (40), and movable parts of the movement fitting (30) can be moved out of an end face of the furniture panel. The invention additionally relates to a furniture body (10) or furniture comprising such a furniture panel (40) and to a method for integrating an assembly element (50) into a furniture panel (40).