Method and unit for manufacturing a piece of furniture, and a piece of furniture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing furniture require pre-manufactured parts to facilitate assembly, which complicates handling, packaging, and transportation, making them bulky and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving milling adjacent panels to create joining surfaces and applying adhesive to form a hinge connection between them, allowing for easier assembly and folding, while maintaining compactness during transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-manufactured parts are used to facilitate assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but packaging volume and handling complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidpackaging volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture is divided into multiple flat panels that are pre-cut with joining surfaces and connection elements, allowing them to be packaged separately in a compact flat state while still enabling easy assembly through pre-prepared joining mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Joining surfaces and connection elements are pre-manufactured on the panels before packaging, so that when the furniture is assembled, the complex joining operations have already been partially completed, reducing on-site assembly complexity while maintaining compact packaging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If pre-manufactured parts are used to facilitate assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidhandling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture system is segmented into standardized panels with uniform joining surfaces and connection elements, which simplifies handling and packaging logistics despite the presence of multiple components, as each segment follows the same design pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All panels are manufactured with consistent joining surface geometries and connection element types, creating a homogeneous system that reduces the complexity of handling and assembly instructions, even though multiple parts are involved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 efficient assembly and compact packaging of furniture by creating a hinge connection between panels, simplifying the assembly process and maintaining the furniture's slim package form during transportation.

Implementation Method 1

milling the side portion of the first panel and the side portion of the second panel by means of at least one milling tool to form joining surfaces of the respective side portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMilling: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

joining the side portion of the first panel and the side portion of the second panel by applying an adhesive to both joining surfaces, wherein said adhesive creates a hinge connection between said first and second panels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3478467B1Method and unit for manufacturing a piece of furniture, and a piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 IKEA SUPPLY AG
  • EP3478467B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3478467B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3478467B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a piece of furniture (100) having a first furniture panel (102) and at least a second furniture panel (104) is provided. The method comprises the steps of - arranging said first panel (102) and said second panel (104) adjacent to each other such that a side portion (108) of said first panel (102) is substantially flush with a side portion (109) of said second panel (104), - milling the side portion (108) of the first panel (102) and the side portion (109) of the second panel (104) by means of at least one milling tool (150) to form joining surfaces (112, 113) of the respective side portions (108, 109), and - joining the side portion (108) of the first panel (102) and the side portion (109) of the second panel (104) by applying an adhesive (161) to both joining surfaces (112, 113), wherein said adhesive creates a hinge connection (105) between said first and second panels (102, 104).