Furniture components and assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture construction methods using solid wood are costly, heavy, environmentally impactful, require skilled labor, and limit customization options, with visible connection systems detracting from aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
Furniture panels composed of lightweight wooden components with internal fixing elements concealed within housings formed by structural components, allowing for adjustable assembly and hidden connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional joinery techniques are used to connect solid wooden components, then the aesthetic appeal and structural strength are improved, but the manufacturing cost and labor skill requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function from traditional joinery techniques and implements it through separate fixing elements (screws, bolts, or other fasteners) that can be independently selected and applied. This allows the connection strength to be achieved through standardized fastening mechanisms rather than complex custom joinery, reducing the skill level required while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as connection plates, brackets, or fixing elements that mediate between wooden components. These intermediaries provide standardized connection points that simplify the assembly process while ensuring strong connections, eliminating the need for skilled traditional joinery work.
2Strength
If solid wood components are used throughout the furniture structure, then the aesthetic appeal and durability are improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining solid wood components with alternative materials such as engineered wood products, metal fixtures, or other lightweight materials. This allows the furniture to maintain structural durability through strategic use of strong materials in critical areas while using lighter materials in non-critical areas, thereby reducing overall weight while preserving strength and aesthetic appeal.
3Ease of manufacture
If visible connection systems are used to assemble furniture, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates due to visible connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function from visible surfaces by positioning fixing elements on the reverse sides, within cavities, or behind panels of the furniture components. This allows simple and straightforward assembly mechanisms to be used while keeping all connection points hidden from view, thereby maintaining both assembly ease and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting strategies where connection elements are placed within recesses, channels, or cavities of the furniture components. The fixing elements are nested within the furniture structure itself, allowing them to perform their connection function while remaining concealed within the overall form of the furniture, thus preserving aesthetic appearance while enabling simple assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture panel and a furniture assembly which incorporates such a panel. The panel is formed from at least two structural components including a first structural component being an edge structure and a second or subsequent structural component(s) selected from one or more cover sheet(s) and one or more edge structure(s). At least one internal fixing element is also provided to engage together at least two of said structural components, with the internal fixing element or elements being at least partially enclosed within a housing defined by the engagement of said structural components. The housing defined at least partially conceals the internal fixing element from view.