Oval Tube Support Frame for Compact Stackable Furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frame furniture designs, such as chairs and tables, face challenges in optimizing the stacking distance and alignment due to their circular cross-section tubular elements, leading to inefficient storage and potential rattling during stacking.
Innovation Solution
The use of elliptical or oval cross-section tubular elements, bent at an angle between the major and minor axes, creates a conical shape that allows for a smaller stacking distance and precise alignment of furniture pieces, with additional features like stacking buffers and guides to ensure rattle-free storage and easy linking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If circular cross-section tubular elements are used, then the manufacturing is simple and symmetric, but the stacking distance is large and alignment is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-sectional shape parameter from circular to elliptical, and changes the bending axis orientation parameter to achieve compact stacking. The elliptical cross-section with specific axis orientation allows the furniture to stack with smaller distance while maintaining structural integrity
2Device complexity
If circular cross-section tubular elements are used, then the structural design is simple, but the alignment precision during stacking is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cross-sectional shape parameter from circular to elliptical, and changes the bending axis orientation parameter to achieve compact stacking. The elliptical cross-section with specific axis orientation allows the furniture to stack with smaller distance while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by orienting the elliptical cross-section at a specific angle (30-60 degrees) relative to the vertical center plane. This asymmetric orientation creates a conical shape that provides precise alignment during stacking, eliminating the rattling problem associated with symmetric circular sections
3Length of stationary object
If the main axis is oriented at 30-60 degrees to the vertical center plane, then the stacking distance is minimized and alignment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the bending angle parameter to a specific range (30-60 degrees) that achieves the best compromise between compact stacking distance and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter optimization allows the conical shape to provide alignment benefits while remaining manufacturable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a piece of frame furniture, comprising a furniture element (14) that is plate-shaped at least in some regions and that has an at least approximately horizontal orientation, which furniture element is arranged on a support frame (18), which has a leg element (20A, 20B) on both sides with respect to a vertical furniture center plane, which leg element is formed from a tubular element that is bent in such a way that the tubular element forms a front and a rear furniture leg (22A, 22B, 24A, 24B). The tubular elements each have an elliptical or oval cross-section having a long major axis and a short minor axis, and the major axis and the minor axis intersect with the vertical furniture center plane over the extent of the particular tubular element at an angle less than 90°.