Modular furniture system with wire management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional modular desk systems and architectural structures lack flexibility in assembly, customization, and wire management, limiting their reconfigurability and functionality across various applications, and often result in cluttered and aesthetically unappealing workspaces.

Innovation Solution

A modular architectural system with integrated wire management features, including a pivot groove for smooth tilting of wire covers, angled tray panels for efficient component passage, and cantilevers with notches for horizontal wire routing, which enhances workspace organization, aesthetics, and minimizes wire visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wire management features are integrated into modular furniture systems, then wire organization and aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wire management functionality directly into the furniture structure by integrating resource trays, wire covers, and routing channels into the modular furniture components. This merging of functions allows wire organization to be achieved without adding separate, complex wire management systems, thereby improving ease of operation while controlling overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular furniture components are designed to serve multiple functions: structural support, wire routing, wire concealment, and component organization. The resource tray both supports electronic components and provides wire management, while the wire cover simultaneously protects wires and maintains aesthetics. This multi-functionality improves wire management capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular furniture systems are designed for flexibility and reconfigurability, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The furniture system is divided into discrete modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled in various configurations. Each module contains integrated wire management features, allowing the system to be reconfigured without compromising manufacturing precision. The segmentation enables standardization of components while maintaining flexibility in overall system arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If wire covers are made tiltable for access, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the cover position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire accessVSAvoidcover position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wire cover is designed with tilting capability that allows it to transition between a closed stable position for aesthetics and an open tilted position for wire access. The dynamic design enables the cover to maintain stability in its closed position while providing ease of operation when opening, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of access through controlled movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3174435B1Modular furniture system with wire management
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
  • EP3174435B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3174435B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3174435B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to modular and reconfigurable architectural assemblies such as modular walls and modular furniture, including modular and reconfigurable desk systems, with features and components that provide wire management functionality. A modular desk system includes a horizontal work surface and a lower vertical section extending vertically downward and/or upward from the work surface. At least a portion of the lower vertical section houses one or more resource trays having power and data receptacles for user wires to plug into. An access component such as a cover encloses the resource tray to provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing assembly while allowing management and organization of user wires and/or supply wires.