Joining device, particularly for joining a shelf to a wall of a piece of furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining devices for furniture are structurally complex, costly, and difficult to maintain, with high requirements for panel thickness, aesthetic impact, and installation complexity, particularly when used with thin panels, and lack efficient adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact joining device with a cylindrical body and insert system that allows for simple and effective activation, maintenance, and adjustment, utilizing a single shell and insert for concealed installation, reducing component count and machining needs, and enabling quick leveling foot adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional joining device with accommodation body and crown gear is used, then the shelf can be joined to the furniture wall, but the structural complexity increases production and assembly cost
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device is divided into two independent parts: a first component with a threaded bore and a second component with a threaded protrusion. This segmentation eliminates complex internal structures like accommodation bodies and crown gears, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the joining function through a simple screwing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components (accommodation body, crown gear, fixing element) from the traditional joining mechanism. The essential function of joining is achieved directly through the threaded interaction between the first and second components, removing extraneous structural elements that increase complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the accommodation body is divided into two components for clamping, then assembly is possible, but high degree of clamping prevents optimum gear interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the gear mechanism entirely from the joining device. The threaded interaction between components provides direct mechanical engagement without requiring gear clamping, thereby eliminating the contradiction between assembly capability and gear interaction quality.
3Volume of stationary object
If the crown gear and fixing element are embedded in the accommodation body, then the joint is compact, but maintenance requires removing the entire accommodation body and breaking the panel
Solution Approach 1:
The joining device is segmented into removable components that can be independently accessed and maintained. The first and second components can be separated without damaging the panel, allowing maintenance of the threaded connection while preserving the compact installation footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the joining components to be easily removed, inspected, and replaced if necessary, without permanent damage to the panel. The threaded components can be unscrewed and recovered for maintenance or replacement, eliminating the need to break the panel for access.
4Ease of manufacture
If two holes are provided in the panel for accommodation body and pin placement, then the joint can be installed, but the execution becomes complicated and requires further holes for leveling foot adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single threaded connection mechanism. The same threaded components serve both for joining the shelf to the wall and for providing adjustment capability, eliminating the need for separate holes for different functions and reducing panel modification complexity.
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 provides a structurally compact, cost-effective, and easy-to-install joining device that can be used on low-thickness panels with minimal panel impact, allowing rapid maintenance and adjustment, while optimizing gear interaction and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first axial seat for the rotatable coupling of a first stem of a screw provided with a first crown-shaped head
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A joining device (1), particularly for joining a shelf (2) to a wall (3) of a piece of furniture, comprising a cylindrical body (4) that can be associated in a first hole (5) adapted to be provided transversely in the shelf (2) and having a first axial seat (8) for the rotatable coupling of a first stem (9) of a screw (10) provided with a first crown-shaped head (11) that can be arranged rotatably within a second seat (12) that is adjacent to the first seat (8); a second hole (28) is adapted to be provided in the shelf (2) at right angles to the first hole (5) and accommodates, substantially flush with or below the upper surface (29), an insert (37); the insert (37) is provided with a seventh seat (38) for the third head (48) of a first tool (49) that can be coupled rotatably with the first crown-shaped head (11).