Picture frame assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing picture frame systems fail to provide a cost-effective and modular solution for displaying and rearranging artwork, as they are either difficult to disassemble or require extensive assembly and fixing appliances, limiting their use in educational settings and home decoration.

Innovation Solution

A picture frame assembly with a base plate, a board, and a frame featuring interlocking protrusions and recesses that allow multiple boards to be joined coplanarly, forming a collage, and equipped with magnetic connectors for easy assembly and attachment to surfaces, enabling modular display and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If picture frames are fixed to a display surface using fasteners and hangers, then the pictures can be securely displayed, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires extensive assembly appliances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure displayVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The picture frame system is divided into modular components (frames with interlocking puzzle-piece shapes) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each frame segment can be independently handled and connected to others, eliminating the need for complex fastening appliances and reducing assembly time while maintaining secure display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing function is merged into the frame structure itself through interlocking puzzle-piece profiles. The frames incorporate built-in connection mechanisms that combine the display and securing functions into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and hangers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple individual pictures are assembled into collages using traditional methods, then the collages can be displayed, but the process requires extensive fixing appliances and is difficult to disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollage structureVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collage is formed by segmenting the display surface into multiple independent frame modules with puzzle-piece profiles. These modular segments can be easily separated and reconfigured, providing both structural stability during display and ease of disassembly when needed, without requiring extensive fixing appliances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If picture frames are designed to be permanently attached to walls or floors, then the collage becomes a stable mural, but it cannot be disassembled for reuse or relocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemural stabilityVSAvoidrelocation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame connection system transitions from static permanent attachment to dynamic reversible connection. The interlocking puzzle-piece profiles allow the structure to be stable during display (mural mode) but can be easily disassembled and relocated (reusable mode), providing adaptability between different usage states without compromising stability in either mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional picture frame systems are used, then individual pictures can be framed, but they cannot be easily joined to form collages or rearranged for different displays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframing simplicityVSAvoidcollage formation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame modules are designed with universal interlocking puzzle-piece profiles that enable multiple functions: individual picture framing, collage formation, and flexible rearrangement. The same basic frame component can serve different purposes by simply changing its position or orientation, eliminating the need for different types of frames for different display configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3446598B1Picture frame assembly
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 TAIDESUKELLUSTEHDAS OY
  • EP3446598B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3446598B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2D
  • EP3446598B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3F

AI summary

A picture frame assembly 10 is provided comprising a base plate 11 with a border edge 12 arranged on the base plate 11 such as to form a depression 11A, a board 21 received within said depression 11A, and a frame 31 provided as a topmost element in the assembly, wherein the border edge 12 and the board 21 each comprise a number of profiled members, which fully interlock with each other in a coplanar manner when the board 21 is received within the depression 11A, wherein said profiled members form a boundary interface, being completely covered by the frame 31. By means of the profiled members a plurality of boards 21 can be further joined to each other to form a collage in a coplanar manner.