Seating Unit Loop-and-Opening Connection for Safe Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating units lack safe and user-friendly connection mechanisms that ensure secure engagement and easy disengagement of adjacent units, compromising safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
The seating unit design features a tubular frame with a loop and inclined legs that interlock via a U-shaped opening, allowing for secure connection and disconnection by aligning the loop with the recess and adjusting the angle of the legs, ensuring safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hook-and-groove connection means are used, then the structure is simple, but the connection safety and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into distinct functional elements: a loop element on one seating unit and a U-shaped opening element on the adjacent seating unit. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of the connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop element is designed to be received within the U-shaped opening, creating a nested configuration where one component fits inside another. This nesting provides secure engagement while maintaining a compact and simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If complex connection mechanisms are used to improve safety, then connection reliability improves, but user-friendliness and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism extracts the essential safety function from complex multi-component systems and implements it through a simple loop-within-U-shape configuration. This extraction maintains safety reliability while dramatically improving ease of operation by reducing the number of steps and components involved in connection and disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop and U-shaped opening are designed to self-align and self-lock when brought together, requiring minimal user intervention. The geometry of the components guides them into proper engagement automatically, making the connection process intuitive and easy while maintaining secure reliability.
3Strength
If traditional connection means are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the ability to provide secure engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The loop and U-shaped opening are designed with specific local geometric features that concentrate engagement forces at optimal points. The U-shape provides localized reinforcement where the loop engages, enhancing engagement security without requiring complex manufacturing processes or additional materials throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a seating arrangement including at least two seating units connected together, wherein each seating unit includes a tubular frame and a seat supported by the tubular frame. The invention also relates separately to a seating unit forming part of the seating arrangement. The seating arrangement according to this invention is characterised in that each tubular frame defines a loop (5) projecting beyond one side of the seat (12), that the seat (12) is provided on the opposite side with an opening (21) and a retaining means (24) associated with the opening (21) and that the loop (5) of one seating unit is designed to engage with the retaining means (24) of an adjacent seating unit. The seating unit situated at one end of the row of seating units connected together is provided with a special support for its connecting means.