Secure Furniture Side Wall Locking for Tool-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Furniture used in pharmacies, particularly those with simple sheet metal side walls, lack effective protection against unauthorized access since side wall elements can be easily overcome with tools or force, compromising the security of stored medicines despite being easy to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A modular furniture design featuring frame elements with perforated strips and locking mechanisms that allow tool-free assembly and secure side wall elements in place, preventing unauthorized access by using blocking elements that hook into perforated strips and contact surfaces to prevent movement or detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If side wall elements are made of simple sheet metal for easy assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but protection against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall element is divided into multiple segments that can be easily assembled together, while the blocking element provides additional segmentation that prevents tool insertion. The perforated strip is itself segmented into multiple holes, allowing flexible positioning of blocking elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The furniture combines sheet metal side wall elements with additional blocking elements that create a composite structure. This composite design maintains the ease of assembly of sheet metal while adding security features that prevent unauthorized access.
2Reliability
If blocking elements are added to secure side wall elements, then protection against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element serves multiple functions: it secures the side wall element to the frame, prevents tool insertion, and can be positioned at different locations along the perforated strip. The perforated strip itself serves both as a structural element and as a positioning system for the blocking elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed to be self-securing through the perforated strip system, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms. The side wall element automatically engages with the frame through the blocking element without requiring external tools or complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If tool-free assembly is implemented using perforated strips and blocking elements, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The perforated strip provides localized precision features at specific positions along the side wall element. Rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire structure, only the locations of the perforations need precise positioning, while other areas can be manufactured with standard tolerances.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a piece of furniture (1) with an interior (27) that can be protected against unauthorized access, with a frame (3) with several frame elements (5,7,9,11,13,15,17), with side wall elements (19 ,21,23,25) which at least partially surround the interior (27), and with at least one lockable door element and/or at least one lockable drawer element (29) arranged in the interior (27), with a first side wall element (19) between two first, opposite frame elements (5), it is provided that the first side wall element (19) each have a first contact surface (35) on the two first frame elements (5) on the interior (27) facing side of the two first frame elements (5) and that a first locking element (37) is fastened between two frame elements (5,7,9,11,13,15,17), which the first side wall element (19) rests against the two first frame elements (5 ) holds.