Lightweight Furniture Board Assembly With Exchangeable Powered Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight panel arrangements face challenges in providing a simple and reliable power supply for integrated functional modules, and they often risk cable damage due to improper tensile loads during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The lightweight board is equipped with an installation frame containing contact elements, allowing interchangeable functional elements with spatially corresponding contact elements, and power supply is provided via carrier elements connected through a cable, eliminating direct embedding and potential cable damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power cables are laid on the surface of the panels or housed inside the panels with slots and cover panels, then the panels can be electrified, but the cable installation becomes complex and cables are exposed to crushing or tensile stresses during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the carrier element structure itself. The carrier element has a receiving region that accommodates the cable, and the cable is integrated into the connection fitting assembly rather than being a separate component requiring separate routing through slots and cover panels. This nesting eliminates the need for separate cable housing structures while protecting the cable from external stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable installation is merged with the carrier element and connection fitting assembly. The cable-receiving region is an integral part of the carrier element, and the cable is combined with the connection fitting to form a unified assembly. This merging simplifies the overall structure by eliminating separate cable routing components and reduces installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are embedded directly in the lightweight panel, then the panel can provide functional components, but the panel structure becomes complex and functional elements cannot be easily exchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The functional element system is segmented into three independent components: the lightweight panel with installation frame, the removable carrier element with cable management, and the exchangeable functional element. This segmentation allows the functional element to be easily exchanged while keeping the panel structure simple. The installation frame provides a standardized interface that accommodates different functional elements without requiring panel modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static embedded configuration to a dynamic, exchangeable configuration. The carrier element can be removed and replaced, and the functional element can be swapped within the installation frame. This dynamic design enables easy exchange of functional elements while maintaining a simple, standardized panel structure through the use of the installation frame interface.
3Reliability
If thick sheaths and special fasteners are used to secure power cables, then cable protection is improved, but the assembly complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protection function is merged into the carrier element structure itself. The carrier element has an integrated cable-receiving region that provides protection without requiring separate thick sheaths. The connection fitting is combined with the carrier element, creating a unified structure that protects the cable while using minimal material. This integration eliminates the need for additional protective components.
4Ease of operation
If slots are milled into the panels for cable housing, then cables can be housed inconspicuously, but the panel manufacturing complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable housing function is extracted from the panel structure itself and transferred to the carrier element. Instead of milling slots into the panel, the cable is housed within the carrier element's integrated cable-receiving region. This extraction eliminates the need for panel processing while maintaining cable concealment, as the carrier element can be designed to provide inconspicuous cable housing without requiring panel modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
The arrangement has contact elements spatially arranged in mounting frames (62, 72). Functional elements (63, 73) e.g. toothbrush loading stations, are equipped with the spatially arranged contact elements in a housing fitted in the mounting frames. The functional elements are inserted into the mounting frames. A power supply to the contact elements of the mounting frames is carried over a carrier element (9). A connection fitting (8) is embedded in lightweight construction boards (3-7), and comprises a recess for the carrier element.