Furniture part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture frame designs face challenges in securely and reversibly attaching plate parts, often requiring complex clamping mechanisms that can be prone to damage and difficult to assemble/disassemble, while also lacking flexibility in accommodating different plate sizes and materials.

Innovation Solution

A frame part design featuring a hollow profile with a long leg parallel to the surface and a short leg perpendicular to it, incorporating a threaded connection system for corner connectors that allows for precise orientation and easy assembly/disassembly, along with receiving grooves for plate parts that can accommodate different sizes and materials, and optional damping layers for vibration isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional clamping mechanisms are used to attach plate parts to frame, then secure attachment is achieved, but the mechanism becomes complex and prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex clamping mechanism and replaces it with a simple groove-based retention system. The plate parts are held in place by recesses formed directly in the frame members, eliminating the need for separate clamping components while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple, easily replaceable groove structures instead of complex mechanical clamps. If damage occurs, the grooves can be quickly repaired or the frame member replaced without dealing with complex clamping mechanisms, reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional attachment systems are used, then plate parts are secured, but assembly and disassembly become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into modular members with standardized grooves, allowing plate parts to be easily attached and detached. Each frame member can be independently assembled and disassembled by simply engaging or disengaging the plate parts from the groove structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed frame designs are used, then structural stability is achieved, but flexibility to accommodate different plate sizes and materials is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe structural stabilityVSAvoidplate size and material accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame members are designed with universal groove structures that can accommodate various plate sizes, shapes, and materials. The same basic frame design with standardized recesses can hold different types of plate parts, making the system highly versatile while maintaining structural integrity.

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

4Reliability

If complex clamping mechanisms are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the risk of damage to plate parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddamage risk to plate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex clamping mechanisms that could potentially damage plate parts during attachment or disassembly. Instead, simple groove structures provide secure retention without applying concentrated mechanical forces that might harm the plate surfaces or edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If traditional screw connections are used for corner connectors, then frame parts are secured, but spreading or clamping forces are applied to the frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe connection securityVSAvoidspreading or clamping forces on frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces corner connectors as intermediary elements that join frame members without applying spreading or clamping forces to the frame structure itself. The corner connectors act as mediators that transfer and distribute connection forces, protecting the main frame from stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3922804B1Furniture part
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 M WESTERMANN & CO GMBH
  • EP3922804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a furniture part (2), such as a cabinet door (3) or a cabinet wall (4), with a frame (5), wherein the frame (5) is composed of frame parts (10) and two frame parts (10) are fastened to each other by a screw connection via a corner connector (13) having two connecting legs (14), wherein furthermore the frame (5) holds a panel part (6, 7) and a frame part (10) has a insertion recess (20) for the corner connector (13).To provide a furniture component of the type in question, whose frame parts are advantageously connected, it is proposed that each connecting leg (14) has a bore (15) for receiving a screw (23) and that the screw (23) secures the corner connector (13) to the frame part (10) by being received in an aligned receiving bore (22) of the frame part (10), wherein the receiving bore (22) and/or the bore (15) is a threaded bore in thread engagement with the screw (23). The invention further relates to a furniture component (2), such as a cabinet door (3) or a cabinet wall (4), with a frame (5), wherein the frame (5) is composed of frame parts (10), and wherein the frame (5) further holds a panel part (6, 7).