Modular Seat Shelf Support Assembly for Tool-Free Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular furniture is difficult to move and assemble, especially in tight spaces, due to its bulky nature and requires complex assembly knowledge and tools.
Innovation Solution
A modular seat design featuring seating, arm, and back support components with attachment apertures and a t-handle screw mechanism for easy assembly without additional tools, allowing components to be attached and expanded as needed, providing stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If modular furniture is designed to be compact for shipping, then it becomes easier to move through tight spaces, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture is divided into modular components (seating components, arm components, back support components) that can be shipped separately in compact forms and assembled at the destination. Each component has standardized attachment apertures and mechanisms that simplify the assembly process despite the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses self-retaining features where components attach to each other through insertion and automatic engagement, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex assembly procedures. The attachment apertures and attachment members work together to provide self-servicing assembly.
2Ease of operation
If modular furniture uses standardized attachment mechanisms, then assembly becomes easier without additional tools, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the attachment aperture provides both the receiving structure and the retention feature, while the attachment member provides both insertion and locking functions. This merging ensures tool-free assembly while maintaining structural stability through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member is received within the attachment aperture, creating a nested configuration where one component fits into another. This nesting provides both ease of assembly through simple insertion and structural stability through the interlocking relationship between the nested components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If furniture components are designed for easy disassembly, then reconfigurability increases, but connection strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be dynamically reversible, allowing components to be easily attached and detached multiple times. The standardized attachment apertures and members enable repeated assembly-disassembly cycles while maintaining consistent connection strength through their robust mechanical design.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular seat and method of assembling the same are provided. The modular seat includes a first seating component having one or more seating component attachment apertures. The modular seat also includes a first arm component having a first arm component shelf support configured to be received by one of the seating component attachment apertures. The modular seat may include one or more other components, such as attachment members, additional seating components, back support components, and/or additional arm components. A corresponding method of assembling a modular seat is also provided.