Modular Glass Table Assembly for Compact Packaging and Safe Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass furniture, such as coffee tables and end tables, face challenges in packaging and transportation due to its fragility and the need for specialized treatment to prevent breakage, leading to increased costs and damage risks during shipping and storage.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring edge modules with receiving sections for the top surface and legs, a stabilizing frame, and suction cups for secure assembly, allowing for compact disassembly and safe transportation while maintaining aesthetic appeal and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass furniture is packaged for shipping and storage, then the glass components are protected from damage, but the packaging size increases and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture is divided into separate modular components (edge modules, top surface, legs) that can be disassembled and packed individually. This segmentation allows each component to be compactly packaged in its own protective housing, reducing overall packaging volume while maintaining protection during transportation.
2Volume of stationary object
If glass furniture is disassembled for compact storage and transportation, then packaging size is reduced and transportation costs are lowered, but assembly complexity increases for the end-user
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components (edge modules with receiving sections) are designed with integrated features that combine support, alignment, and connection functions. The horizontal and vertical components of edge modules integrate receiving sections that guide and secure the top surface and legs, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining compact packaging.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the furniture is designed as a single integrated piece, then structural stability is maximized, but packaging volume increases and transportation becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture is segmented into modular components that can be separately packaged, reducing packaging volume and transportation costs while maintaining structural stability through precise connection designs between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are designed to nest within each other when disassembled (e.g., legs and top surface fitting within edge modules), maximizing space utilization during packaging and transportation while allowing for stable reassembly.
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
The modular design reduces packaging size, lowers transportation costs, minimizes damage during shipping, and allows for easy assembly by the end-user, while ensuring the safety and stability of the glass components.
Implementation Method 1
The rest surface of the horizontal component may include a suction cup having an anchor connected to the rest surface and a suction area for releasably connecting to a first or second end of the top surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture item comprises first and second edge modules, each edge module having a substantially horizontal component with a receiving section and a substantially vertical component with a receiving section. The first and second edge modules are spaced and arranged with respect to each other so that the respective receiving section of the horizontal components face each other. A top surface is provided and has first and second ends. The first end is supported by the receiving section of the horizontal component of one first edge module and the second end is supported by the receiving section of the horizontal component of the second edge module. Further, there is a first leg having an upper section accommodated by the receiving section of the vertical component of the first edge module and a second leg having an upper section accommodated by the receiving section of the vertical component of the second edge module.