Hidden Recess Furniture Screw With Plunger-Protected Driver Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative screw fasteners for furniture lack a flat, unbroken surface for driver coupling, as existing designs do not provide a visible surface for driver engagement or connection, compromising both aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system featuring a spring-loaded plunger and driver with a chamfered aperture and undercut surface, allowing the driver to engage and transfer torque without damaging the fastener, while maintaining a smooth, flat appearance by hiding the driver recess when not in use, utilizing precision manufacturing techniques like Wire EDM for tight tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a decorative fastener is designed with a flat, unbroken surface, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but driver coupling functionality deteriorates because there is no surface for driver engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a movable plunger that can shift between two positions: retracted to reveal the driver recess for driver coupling, and extended to cover the recess for a flat unbroken appearance. This dynamic mechanism allows the fastener to switch between aesthetic mode and functional mode, resolving the contradiction between appearance and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional segments: a decorative head with a flat outer surface, a hidden driver recess, and a movable plunger. This segmentation allows different portions to serve different functions - the outer surface provides aesthetics while the hidden recess provides driver engagement capability when needed.
2Ease of operation
If a driver recess is created in the fastener head, then driver engagement is enabled, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible recesses and seams
Solution Approach 1:
The driver recess is extracted and hidden within the fastener head structure, covered by a plunger that matches the outer surface. The recess is not visible when the plunger is in its covering position, allowing driver engagement capability to exist without compromising aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary element between the outer decorative surface and the hidden driver recess. It provides a seamless transition, covering the recess when driver engagement is not needed while allowing access when required, thus mediating between aesthetic and functional requirements.
3Ease of operation
If torque is transferred directly to the fastener head through the aperture, then driver-to-fastener connection is simplified, but damage to the fastener head occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger serves as a protective intermediary between the driver and the fastener head. It absorbs and distributes the torque and insertion forces, preventing direct contact between the driver and the decorative fastener head surface, thus protecting the head from damage while still enabling torque transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is positioned beforehand to cushion and protect the fastener head during driver insertion and torque application. It absorbs the mechanical stresses before they reach the decorative head, preventing damage in advance.
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
Enables the installation of fasteners with a high-end, flush appearance and functional integrity, suitable for premium furniture and decorative installations, ensuring secure torque transfer without damaging the fastener head.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener comprising a spring for biasing the plunger
Implementation Method 2
contacting a side wall of the driver head with a side wall of the fastener head for transferring torque from the driver head to the fastener head
Implementation Method 3
locks into place with magnets
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener and a specialized driver, the fastener comprising a fastener head with aperture centered therein and fastener body extending from connection with the fastener head. The fastener body has an interior cavity along a length of the fastener body and a spring biased plunger is slidable within an interior cavity of the fastener body between a first position where the plunger has a surface configured to fit within the aperture and in a second position the plunger is spaced apart from the aperture. The driver is removably coupleable to the fastener to depress the plunger and transfer torque to the fastener for installation without damage to the fastener.