Swivel Joint Structure for High-Load Pivoting Furniture Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel joints are not designed to handle greater loads, particularly when the tray is attached to a support element running parallel to the main direction of seating furniture, which complicates stacking and entry/exit processes.
Innovation Solution
A pivot joint with a tubular inner part and an outer part that can pivot between two end positions, featuring recesses and projections for stability, allowing for a pivoting angle of 60° to 180°, designed to support heavy loads without additional locking elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support element runs parallel to the main direction of seating furniture, then stacking and entry/exit are improved, but the swivel joint must support greater loads
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is segmented into an inner part and an outer part with distinct functions. The inner part provides rotational support while the outer part provides lateral stability through projections that engage with recesses, distributing the load across multiple structural elements rather than a single monolithic joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a lateral dimension of stability through the projection-recess engagement mechanism. While the inner part handles rotation around the vertical axis, the projections extending laterally into recesses provide constraint in the horizontal plane, creating a three-dimensional load distribution system that enhances overall load capacity.
2Strength
If the swivel joint is designed for greater loads, then load capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner part and outer part are merged into a single integrated joint assembly that functions as one unit. The projection-recess mechanism is integrated directly into the joint structure rather than being separate locking components, reducing the number of discrete parts while maintaining high load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection-recess engagement provides automatic lateral constraint and positioning without requiring additional locking elements or adjustment mechanisms. The structure self-regulates its stability through the geometric interlocking of projections and recesses, eliminating the need for complex external locking systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional locking elements are added to stabilize end positions, then stability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from separate locking elements and embedded directly into the geometric form of the projections and recesses. The end positions are stabilized by the physical limits of the recess geometries rather than by additional locking components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are designed with asymmetric geometries that naturally guide and constrain the projections to specific angular positions. This asymmetric shaping provides inherent stability at end positions through the form itself, eliminating the need for symmetric locking mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A swivel joint (26) for pivotally attaching a second object (20) to a first tubular or rod-shaped object (22) has an inner tubular part (30) which is arranged substantially coaxially with the first tubular or rod-shaped object (22) and can be connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner, and an outer part (34, 36, 40) which at least partially surrounds the tubular inner part (30) of the joint (26) in the radial direction and between can be pivoted between two end positions and can be connected firmly to the second object (20). One of the tubular inner part (30) and the outer part (34, 36, 40) has at least one recess (32) which extends circumferentially between two angular positions, and the other of the inner part (30) and the outer part (34, 36, 40) has at least one projection (38) which protrudes inwards or outwards in the radial direction and engages with the at least one recess (32) of the inner part (30) or the outer part (34, 36, 40). stands. A swivel joint constructed in this way is particularly advantageous when the second object (20) is subjected to high loads in its position of use.