Snap-Fit Armrest Connector to Replace Multi-Screw Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrests for chairs are difficult to assemble and disassemble, require multiple screw holes and screws for fixing, leading to increased manufacturing costs, environmental impact, and user inconvenience, as well as necessitating replacement of the entire armrest when damaged.
Innovation Solution
A quick assembly armrest connecting device featuring a connecting head and a receiving seat with sliding edges and recessed engagement edges that allow for easy alignment and secure attachment, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly without the need for multiple screws, and allowing for separate replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the supporting seat and cover are integrally formed, then assembly time is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is divided into separate components: supporting seat, cover, and connecting device. The connecting device includes a connecting head with engagement protrusions and a receiving seat with engagement grooves, allowing modular assembly while simplifying manufacturing of individual parts.
2Strength
If the supporting seat and cover are fixed together by screwing, then connection strength is improved, but assembly and disassembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The screw-based mechanical fastening system is replaced with a snap-fit engagement system. The connecting head features protrusions that engage with grooves in the receiving seat, providing strong connection through elastic deformation and geometric interlocking without requiring screws or threading.
3Strength
If multiple screw holes are formed in supporting seat and cover, then fixing strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-hole screw fastening system is extracted and replaced with a simplified single-point engagement mechanism. The connecting head integrates all connection functions into one component that engages with a single receiving seat structure, eliminating the need for multiple screw holes and fasteners.
4Loss of time
If the supporting seat and cover are integrally formed, then assembly is simplified, but replacement cost and environmental impact increase when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is segmented into replaceable modules: supporting seat, cover, and connecting device. This allows damaged components to be replaced individually rather than replacing the entire armrest assembly, reducing cost and waste while maintaining quick assembly through the engagement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick assembly armrest connecting device includes a connecting head and a receiving seat. The connecting head includes a body extending along a first axis. The receiving seat includes a groove extending along a second axis. The armrest connecting device is movable between an assembled position and a separated position in which the connecting head is separated from the receiving seat. When the armrest connecting device moves from the separated position towards the assembled position, the first axis is parallel to the second axis, and the connecting head moves rectilinearly along the second axis towards the receiving seat and inserts the body into the groove. After the connecting head abuts the bottom side of the groove, the connecting head moves rectilinearly in a radial direction of the second axis relative to the receiving seat, moving the armrest connecting device to the assembled position.