Detachable Table Leg Wedge Clamp for Easy Secure Table Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detachable furniture legs require significant practice and technical expertise to operate safely and maintain, especially when used as table connectors or for stacking tables, due to complex gear mechanisms and unclear starting positions.
Innovation Solution
A detachable furniture leg with a sliding wedge mechanism and spring-loaded clamping system, featuring an adapter device with an eccentric gear and manually operated lever, allowing for easy and secure attachment to furniture, and enabling the connection of multiple tables with a simple, intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a gear mechanism with screw pins is used to clamp the furniture leg, then the clamping force and fixation quality are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for significant practice and technical expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex gear mechanism with a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion directly into linear clamping motion. The cam profile is designed to provide automatic self-centering and progressive clamping, eliminating the need for multi-step gear operation while maintaining strong clamping force. This mechanical substitution simplifies the user interaction from complex gear manipulation to simple cam rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism incorporates self-centering features where the cam profile automatically guides the clamping elements into proper alignment during rotation. The design includes self-adjusting elements that compensate for minor positioning errors, allowing the mechanism to service itself during operation without requiring precise manual alignment or technical expertise from the user.
2Reliability
If a gear mechanism with multiple components is used, then the clamping reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases making it harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the gear train from the clamping mechanism, retaining only the essential cam profile and clamping elements. By removing the intermediate gear components, the design achieves reliable clamping through the geometric properties of the cam alone, significantly reducing the number of parts that can fail or require maintenance while preserving the core clamping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism is segmented into independent functional modules: the cam rotation element, the clamping elements, and the support elements. Each module can be independently inspected, maintained, or replaced. This segmentation allows for simpler maintenance procedures where only the specific problematic component needs attention rather than the entire gear assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support elements are added to mutually support the adapter device and adapter element, then the stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are merged with the existing cam and clamping structure rather than being added as separate components. The cam housing and mounting structures serve dual functions as both the actuating mechanism and the support framework. This integration provides stable load-bearing capacity while avoiding the complexity of additional independent support systems.
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
Enables safe and maintenance-free handling of furniture legs, allowing for easy stacking and connection of tables, reducing the need for extensive practice or technical expertise, while ensuring secure clamping and load-bearing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
under the action of at least one spring element
Implementation Method 2
the individual clamping element rests, as part of a sliding wedge mechanism, wedging against a rear contact point of the adapter element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The detachable furniture leg has an adapter device (30) , and an adapter element (20) at furniture side. The individual clamping element (65) lies close as part of a sliding wedge gear (60) in a rear bearing point (25) of the adapter element by a spring element (69). The adapter device and the adapter element are supported form- and force fit opposite to the supporting elements (23,44).