Improved connecting elements for support slats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thicker mattresses in sofa beds become difficult to fold and store due to increased thickness, leading to potential compression that reduces sleeping comfort, and existing connecting members fail to prevent tearing and bending during the folding process.
Innovation Solution
A connecting member design featuring a mounting part that extends transversely from the receiving part, with ribs attached to both, creating a sunken slatted base that allows for deeper mattress insertion and reduced compression, and includes a fixation hole for secure attachment to the frame, reducing shear stress and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mattress thickness is increased to improve sleeping comfort, then the sleeping comfort is improved, but the mattress becomes difficult to fold and store, and compression occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member creates a sunken slatted base by positioning the receiving part below the mounting part in the vertical dimension. This vertical offset allows the mattress to extend downward into the frame structure, providing storage space for thicker mattresses without increasing the horizontal footprint or causing compression during folding.
2Reliability
If the mattress thickness is increased to improve sleeping comfort, then the sleeping comfort is improved, but the mattress requires more storage space and is compressed more during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving part is nested within the frame structure at a lower position, creating a sunken area that accommodates the mattress thickness. This nesting approach allows thicker mattresses to be stored within the vertical space of the frame without requiring additional horizontal volume, preventing compression while maintaining compact storage.
3Device complexity
If a conventional connecting member with mounting part and receiving part in line is used, then the structure is simple, but tearing and bending occur during the connection between mounting part and receiving part
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting part and receiving part are positioned at different vertical levels rather than in line, creating a stepped or sunken configuration. This vertical separation, combined with the lateral extension of the mounting part, distributes mechanical stresses more effectively during folding operations, preventing tearing and bending at the connection point while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Sofa bed comprising a foldable frame, a set of connecting members and a set of support slats mounted on the frame, a connecting member comprising a height direction, a transverse direction and an insertion direction which are mutually orthogonal, the connecting member further comprising a receiving part (1) comprising a slat cavity into which an end of a support slat is inserted in the insertion direction, the receiving part comprising an upper wall (11), the connecting member further comprising a mounting part (2) with which the connecting member is attached to the frame and with which the connecting member can be supported by the frame in the height direction, characterised in that the mounting part comprises a back wall (6) extending at least partially substantially in the height direction, the mounting part further comprising a plurality of ribs (3a, 3b, 3c), a rib at least partially extending substantially in the height direction and the insertion direction, the rib being attached to the back wall and the upper wall.