Interlocking Furniture Panels With Hidden Edge Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture assembly methods, particularly for flat-pack furniture, are cumbersome for DIY assembly due to complex connection systems involving numerous accessories, which complicates user assembly and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A composed element design featuring panel-shaped elements with profiled parts that allow interlocking coupling, where the profiled parts are hidden from view, enabling easy assembly and minimizing aesthetic impact, using materials like laminate strips or ABS for durability and a snap-action mechanism for secure joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional connection accessories (pins, screws, clamping pins) are used to connect furniture panels, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to the large number of accessories required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function directly into the panel structure by integrating profiled parts (tongues and grooves) into the panel edges themselves. This eliminates the need for separate connection accessories like pins, screws, and clamping pins, reducing the number of components while maintaining connection strength through the integrated interlocking profiled parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel-shaped elements are designed with self-connecting profiled parts that enable automatic interlocking during assembly. The tongue-and-groove mechanism with integrated locking features allows panels to connect to each other without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly tools, making the assembly process simpler and more self-service oriented.
2Manufacturing precision
If profiled parts are used for coupling panel-shaped elements, then the connection quality is optimized, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visible portion of the profiled parts from the exterior surface of the panels. By positioning the profiled parts (tongues and grooves) within the edge zones and incorporating covering elements, the connection mechanism is hidden from view while maintaining its functional integrity, thus preserving aesthetic appearance without compromising connection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different qualities to different parts of the panel: the edge zones contain the functional profiled parts for connection, while the exterior surfaces maintain smooth, aesthetic finishes. This local differentiation allows the connection mechanism to be optimized for strength in the edge zones while the visible surfaces preserve aesthetic quality.
3Reliability
If multiple connection accessories are provided with furniture, then the reliability of assembly is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to packaging and assembly instructions complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection function into the panel structure itself through integrated profiled parts, eliminating the need to package and distribute multiple separate connection accessories. This simplifies manufacturing and packaging processes while maintaining assembly reliability through the built-in interlocking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated profiled parts with their inherent locking features enable self-service assembly without requiring complex assembly instructions or multiple accessories. The design guides the assembly process inherently through the tongue-and-groove geometry, reducing the burden on manufacturers for packaging and instruction provision.
Data Source
AI summary
Composed element including at least two panel-shaped elements, which each have an edge zone in which coupling means are present in the form of a profiled part respectively extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge zone, as well as each including an end face extending transversely to the respective edge zone, wherein said profiled parts allow coupling the panel-shaped elements together in an interlocking manner, wherein at least one of the panel-shaped elements includes an arrangement which hides from view at least a portion of the profiled part formed at the pertaining edge zone at the location of the end face.