Honeycomb Furniture Board With Integrated Utility Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing panel-shaped components for supply purposes lack the ability to integrate lines and channels, requiring external attachments for supply lines, which limits their functionality and stability.

Innovation Solution

A panel-shaped component with a core layer of honeycomb material and frame elements that serve as both reinforcing structures and channel-forming elements, allowing for the integration of lines and connections within the panel, enhancing stability and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a frame element is provided to reinforce the core layer, then the stability of the building board is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of building boardVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the core layer to improve stability while also forming an integrated channel for supplying lines (water, electricity, air). This eliminates the need for separate external channel attachments, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite adding structural reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external channels are attached to the outside of the building board for line integration, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity and structural integrity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline integration capabilityVSAvoidattachment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel for supplying lines is merged directly into the frame element itself, which is already an integral part of the building board structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate external channel attachments, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining full line integration functionality for water, electricity, and air supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If solid wood frame elements are used for reinforcement, then the stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame element material is changed from solid wood to extrudable plastic, which allows for more economical manufacturing through extrusion processes. This material substitution maintains the structural stability and channel-forming functionality while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the frame element forms a channel for line integration, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel integration capabilityVSAvoidchannel formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By using extrudable plastic material, the channel formation process benefits from the inherent precision of extrusion molding. The plastic can be shaped into the required channel geometry during extrusion, achieving the necessary manufacturing precision more easily than with solid wood, which would require complex carving or routing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1861244B1Building board, especially furniture board
Publication Date: 2012.02.22 FRITZ EGGER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP1861244B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1861244B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a building board, especially a furniture board, which comprises a core layer (4) that is at least partially produced from a honey-comb material and that comprises an upper cover plate (6), a lower cover plate (8) and at least one frame element (10) reinforcing the core layer (4). The aim of the invention is to provide a building board into which conduits can be integrated. For this purpose, at least one frame element (10) comprises a hollow chamber profile and defines in its interior a channel (12).