Mechanical Joinery Locking with Inclined Dowels and Gap Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joinery products with mechanical locking devices lack sufficient strength and versatility, leading to potential gaps and displacement under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A joinery product featuring a mechanical locking device with dowels protruding at specific angles and a compressible locking element positioned between them, which counteracts displacement and enhances locking strength by allowing a larger angle for the dowels and positioning the compressible element between the dowels in a perpendicular direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical locking device with single dowel and simple structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the locking strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into multiple functional components: multiple dowels (at least two) arranged at specific angles, a compressible locking element positioned between them, insertion recesses in the first joinery element, and a locking recess in the second joinery element. This segmentation allows each component to contribute specifically to locking strength while maintaining overall system coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple locking mechanisms into a single integrated system: the dowels provide primary mechanical interlocking, the compressible locking element provides secondary stabilization, and the recesses guide and constrain the dowels. This combination creates a unified locking structure that achieves superior strength without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Strength
If dowels are positioned at smaller angles, then the manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the locking strength and gap prevention are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dowels are positioned at different local angles relative to the attaching surface, with each dowel optimized for its specific location and loading condition. This local optimization allows the structure to achieve superior overall performance without requiring uniform high-precision manufacturing across all components, as each dowel's angle is tailored to its specific functional requirement.
3Reliability
If the locking device uses more components and positioning elements, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the ease of manufacture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible locking element is pre-positioned between the dowels in a ready-to-lock configuration. The dowels are pre-arranged at their specific angles and positions before final assembly. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon assembly, the locking mechanism engages reliably without requiring complex real-time adjustments or alignment procedures during manufacturing.
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
The solution provides a stronger and more versatile locking mechanism that prevents gaps from forming under external forces, ensuring enhanced stability and security in joinery applications.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible locking element positioned partially in a first joinery element recess in the first attaching surface, wherein a side of the joinery element recess extends at a third angle (a3) relative the first attaching surface, and wherein the compressible locking element in the uncompressed state partially protrudes from first attaching surface
Implementation Method 2
at least two dowels protruding at a first angle from the first attaching surface and at least two insertion recesses extending into the second attaching surface, said at least two insertion recesses being configured to receive said at least two dowels. The inclination of said at least two dowels counteracts displacement of the first joinery element relative to the second joinery element along the normal direction of the first attaching surface
Data Source
AI summary
A joinery product including a first joinery element having a first attaching surface, a second joinery element having a second attaching surface, and a mechanical locking device. The mechanical locking device includes at least two dowels protruding at a first angle from the first attaching surface and at least two insertion recesses extending into the second attaching surface. The least two insertion recesses are configured to receive the at least two dowels. The mechanical locking device further contains a compressible locking element in a first joinery element recess in the first attaching surface. The compressible locking element, in the uncompressed state, partially protrudes from first attaching surface. The mechanical locking device further includes a locking recess at the second attaching surface configured to receive the compressible locking element.