Modular metal underframe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular metal table frames require complex and space-consuming connections between longitudinal and transverse struts, leading to high manufacturing and assembly efforts, aesthetically unappealing designs, and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
The use of hollow profiles for transverse and longitudinal struts connected via a radially expandable clamping body, allowing for a permanent and visually inconspicuous connection through T-connection modules, which can be easily assembled and disassembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex connections between longitudinal and transverse struts are used to ensure mechanical stability, then the table frame achieves high stability and load-bearing capacity, but the manufacturing and assembly effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The table frame is divided into modular components (legs, cross braces, longitudinal braces) that can be manufactured separately and assembled using standardized connection elements. The connection elements themselves are segmented into a body portion and an expansion portion, allowing for simplified manufacturing of each component while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements utilize parameter changes through radial expansion. The expansion portion of the connection element expands radially to lock into the hollow profile of adjacent struts, transforming from a compact assembly state to a locked structural state. This parameter change enables simple assembly without complex fastening operations while achieving strong mechanical connections.
2Strength
If traditional connection methods are used for struts, then mechanical strength is achieved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible and unattractive connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is nested within the hollow profile of the struts. The body portion of the connection element is inserted into the hollow cross-section of the struts, with the expansion portion expanding radially inside the hollow space. This nesting approach conceals the connection mechanism within the struts themselves, creating clean, uninterrupted lines from the exterior while maintaining strong mechanical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element acts as an intermediary between adjacent struts, mediating the mechanical connection while remaining visually subordinate. By designing the connection element to be radially expandable and nestable within the hollow profiles, it provides the necessary structural coupling while minimizing visual impact, allowing the struts themselves to remain the primary visual elements.
3Ease of operation
If modular design with detachable connections is implemented, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but the connection complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element transitions from a static, compact configuration during assembly to a dynamically expanded, locked configuration during use. The radially expandable design allows the connection element to adapt its form factor - compact for easy storage and assembly, expanded for strong structural connection. This dynamic transformation simplifies the modular design by eliminating the need for complex fastening mechanisms while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element utilizes parameter changes through radial expansion and contraction. In the contracted state, the connection element has minimal dimensions for easy assembly and compact storage. Upon assembly, radial expansion transforms the parameter set, increasing the effective connection dimensions and locking force. This parameter transformation enables simple modular assembly without requiring complex connection mechanisms or increasing overall space requirements.
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 solution provides a modular table frame that is lightweight, mechanically robust, and aesthetically pleasing, with simplified assembly and reduced space requirements, while maintaining high stability and load-bearing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a radially expandable clamping body, the first end of which projects into a first hollow profile end region surrounded by a first hollow profile and the opposite second end of which projects into a second hollow profile end region surrounded by a second hollow profile, wherein the radially expandable clamping body is clamped in the first and second hollow profile end regions and thereby connects the first hollow profile with the second hollow profile
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A modular table frame (1) made of metal forms a support device, which can be set up on a substrate (3), for a tabletop (8) which can be placed on the table frame (1). The table frame (1) has four table legs (4), each two table legs (4) being connected to one another in each case by two transverse struts (5) and forming a support frame element (2). The two support frame elements (2) are connected to one another by two longitudinal struts (6), each longitudinal strut (6) being oriented perpendicularly to the transverse struts (5) and running diagonally at an acute angle to the substrate (3). Each longitudinal strut (6) is connected at opposite ends to transverse struts (5) in one each of the two support frame elements (2). The two transverse struts (5) which are connected to a longitudinal strut (6) have a different distance from the substrate (3). The table frame (1) can be broken down into multiple table frame modules (11, 12, 13) and can be assembled from these table frame modules (11, 12, 13). One of the multiple table frame modules (11, 12, 13) is formed as a T-connection module (12), the T-connection module (12) comprising a sub-portion (15) of a longitudinal strut (6) and a sub-portion (16) of a transverse strut (5) running perpendicularly to said sub-portion of a longitudinal strut and being connected non-releasably to an end portion of the sub-portion (15) of the longitudinal strut (6).