Furniture Spreading Connector for Chipboard Edge Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreading connectors for furniture parts, particularly in chipboard, face suboptimal spreading action due to the nature of chipboard's density and strength distribution, where the middle region has lower density and strength compared to the edge regions, leading to inefficient force transmission.
Innovation Solution
The spreading tabs are designed to extend axially away from the pot bottom, with their free ends positioned close to the surface edge region, allowing for optimal force transmission and anchoring by forming an undercut that digs into the wood material, and are spaced apart to ensure effective spreading and anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spreading tabs extend towards the pot bottom, then the connector can be easily inserted into the bore, but the spreading action occurs in the low-density middle region resulting in suboptimal force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional orientation of spreading tabs by making them extend away from the pot bottom instead of towards it. This reversal positions the tabs in the high-density edge region of the chipboard, transforming the low-density middle region problem into a high-density anchoring advantage while maintaining ease of insertion through the same pot-bottom-first mechanism
2Reliability
If the built-in pot diameter is made larger than the bore diameter for a tight fit, then firm seating is achieved, but the connector must be hammered in requiring additional force and risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading tabs perform preliminary anchoring action during the insertion process itself. As the connector is hammered in, the tabs spread against the bore wall in advance, creating friction and mechanical interlocking that secures the connector before the final tightening operation, thereby achieving firm seating without requiring excessive insertion force
3Device complexity
If spreading tabs are positioned in the middle region of chipboard, then the connector structure is simplified, but the lower density and strength of the middle region reduces anchoring effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifically positioning spreading tabs to interact with the high-density edge region of the chipboard rather than the middle region. This localized placement exploits the superior mechanical properties of the edge region (higher density and strength) to maximize anchoring effectiveness, while the rest of the connector structure remains simple and unchanged
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the spreading action by focusing force transmission in the compressed edge region, improving the connector's holding power and anchoring capability in chipboard materials.
Implementation Method 1
a tightening element, rotatably mounted inside the built-in pot, for tightening a fastening bolt of the other furniture part which passes through the wall opening, the tightening element having an outer eccentric surface for spreading the at least one spreading tab
Implementation Method 2
The free tab end of the at least one spreading tab is spaced apart axially by at least 1 mm, preferably by at least 2 mm, from a stop edge of the built-in pot that protrudes outwards beyond the hollow-cylindrical pot wall. The free tab end thus forms an undercut which acts contrary to the insertion direction of the built-in pot and which digs into the wood material of the bore wall and provides additional anchoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A spreading connector for connecting two furniture parts, including a built-in pot having a pot bottom, the pot being pressable, pot bottom first, into a housing bore of a first of the furniture parts. The pot further has a hollow-cylindrical pot wall that has a wall opening and at least one spreading tab that is cut free in the hollow-cylindrical pot wall and is pivotable about an axis running tangentially to the hollow-cylindrical pot wall. A tightening element is rotatably mounted inside the built-in pot for tightening a fastening bolt of a second of the furniture parts which passes through the wall opening. The tightening element has an outer eccentric surface for spreading the at least one spreading tab. The at least one spreading tab has a free tab end that extends in an axial direction away from the pot bottom.