Modular Chair Assembly Using Corner Pieces and Orthogonal Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chair designs face challenges in easily assembling and maintaining a strong connection between a separately manufactured backrest and rear legs, often requiring complex interconnection systems that can loosen over time due to material shrinkage or specific material requirements.
Innovation Solution
A chair design featuring elongated connection members with orthogonal holes and fastening arrangements, including bolts with threaded portions, that allow for easy assembly by inserting the connection members into bores and using abutment surfaces to stabilize the legs relative to corner pieces, providing a strong and stable interconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a back rest is manufactured separately from the rear legs and connected using traditional interconnection systems (tubular portions, bolts, force fitting), then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity increases and connection reliability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The chair is divided into separate modular components (back rest, rear legs, seat frame) that can be manufactured independently using different materials and processes, then assembled through the corner pieces that integrate these segments with simplified connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Corner pieces serve as intermediary components that mediate the connection between the back rest, rear legs, and seat frame. These corner pieces provide standardized connection interfaces that simplify the assembly process while maintaining connection reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional interconnection systems (force fitting, tubular portions) are used to connect back rest and rear legs, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but connection strength deteriorates due to loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The corner pieces are pre-configured with connection features (bore, recesses, abutment surfaces) that guide and stabilize the assembly process, ensuring proper alignment and preventing loosening before the connection is fully made
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment surfaces are configured with specific geometries including curved and angled surfaces that provide mechanical stabilization and prevent rotational movement, ensuring the connection remains tight and reliable over time
3Strength
If complex interconnection systems with multiple bolts and adapters are used, then connection strength is improved initially, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to specific material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The corner pieces serve multiple functions: they connect the back rest to rear legs, provide structural support, guide assembly through standardized interfaces, and stabilize connections through abutment surfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adapters and specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system uses configurable parameters such as bore diameter, recess depth, and abutment surface geometry that can be adjusted based on different material combinations (wood, metal, composite), allowing the same corner piece design to work across various manufacturing scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a chair (1) comprising a back rest (10), two legs (20a, 20b), and a third part (30) comprising two corner pieces (31a, 31b, 31a′), wherein the back rest (10) comprises two elongated connection members (11a, 11b) each provided with a hole (12a) extending along a crossing direction (T) and being provided with an interconnecting portion (13a), wherein the respective leg (20a, 20b) is provided with a first bore (21a) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) and a second bore (22a) extending along the crossing direction (T) and connecting with the first bore (21a), wherein the first bore (21a) is configured to receive a portion of the respective elongated connection member (11a), wherein the respective corner piece (31a, 31a′) is provided with a through-going hole (32a) or recess (32a′) being configured to be in register with the hole (12a) of the respective elongated member (11a) and the second bore (22a) of the respective leg (20a, 20b), wherein the chair (1) further comprises a first and a second fastening arrangement (40) each having a head (41) and an elongated part (42) extending through the through-going hole (32a) or recess (32a′) and through the second bore (22a) and into the hole (12a) of the respective elongated connection member (11a), the respective elongated part (42) engaging with the interconnecting portion (13a) of the hole (12a) of the respective elongated connection member (11a) and thereby interconnecting the back rest (10), the legs (20a, 20b) and the corner pieces (31a, 31b, 31a′). The disclosure also relates to a kit of parts configured to be assembled into a chair.