Guide Track Coupling for Sequential Panel Translation and Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture coupling mechanisms face challenges in efficiently rotating and displacing heavy panels, especially in confined spaces, and require robust mechanisms to securely connect and guide panels without using complex articulation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A coupling arrangement featuring guide tracks and guide pins that allow for sequential translation, rotation, and re-translation, with the guide tracks configured in straight and curved sections to facilitate movement along predefined trajectories, providing secure and reliable guidance without hinges or articulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex articulation mechanisms are used to allow simultaneous displacement and rotation of furniture parts, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous displacement and rotation capabilityVSAvoidarticulation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement sequence is segmented into distinct phases: first translation along a straight guide track, then rotation at an endpoint, and finally another translation along a second guide track. This segmentation allows each movement type to be handled by a simple, dedicated mechanism rather than a complex mechanism attempting to do everything simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide tracks act as intermediaries that constrain and guide the movement. The first guide track mediates the initial translation, the endpoint serves as a rotation pivot, and the second guide track mediates the final translation. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall mechanism by using passive guiding elements rather than active articulation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If robust mechanisms are used to securely connect and guide heavy panels, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure connection and guidance of heavy panelsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of coupling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using active locking mechanisms or articulated joints to secure the panels, the invention uses passive guide tracks that rely on geometric constraint. The guide pins are simply received in the guide tracks, and the undercut geometry passively prevents removal while allowing guided movement. This inverted approach achieves secure connection through constraint geometry rather than active fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide track geometry changes parameters along its length: it has a receiving portion with undercut geometry for secure engagement, and extended straight sections for smooth translation. This parameter variation in the track geometry provides both secure connection and easy manufacturing, as the entire mechanism can be formed from simple extruded or milled profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If guide tracks with undercuts are used to prevent guide pin removal, then the reliability of guidance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of guide pin removalVSAvoidprecision of guide track geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism uses composite construction with guide tracks made from one material (e.g., metal or rigid plastic) and guide pins from another. The undercut geometry in the guide track works in conjunction with the guide pin shape to achieve reliable retention. This composite approach allows each component to be manufactured with standard tolerances while achieving high overall reliability through their interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9788646B2Coupling arrangement and furniture piece

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 HALDE BENJAMIN

AI summary

A coupling arrangement for two panels (12, 13) that are movable relative to one another may include comprises a first and a second guide track; (1, 2) and a first and a second guide pin (5, 6) for engaging in the guide tracks (1, 2). The first guide track describes a straight path having a starting point and an end point. (E1), and the The second guide track describes a first straight section which is arranged parallel to the first guide track, a circle section and a second straight section which extends parallel to the first guide track. In the case of a piece of furniture having a first panel and a second panel, the panels are coupled together with the aid of a coupling arrangement such that, from a starting position of the panels (12, 13), a guided translation (T1, T2) and a guided rotation of the panels (12, 13) with respect to one another can take place in succession.