Tubular Furniture Load Module With Radial Contacts and Hidden Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture systems with three-dimensional supporting tube structures face challenges in securely and simply integrating consumer modules, such as lights, due to complex mechanical mounting and visual disturbance, which impede the system's functionality and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The consumer module features contact elements arranged radially to interact with conductors inside the tube, allowing for secure and easy electrical contacting and mechanical holding, with a housing design that accommodates the module within the tube's geometry, ensuring a defined position and minimal protrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If consumer modules are mechanically attached to the tubular structure, then electrical devices can be integrated into the furniture system, but the appearance is disrupted and functionality is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The consumer module is inserted into a recess in the tubular structure, with the housing at least partially receiving the consumer module. This nesting arrangement allows electrical devices to be integrated while maintaining the aesthetic appearance and not obstructing storage space or access areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power cables are routed through openings from the back, then electrical devices can be supplied with power, but the routing becomes complex and access is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are arranged to contact contact surfaces inside the tube in a radial direction, allowing the consumer module to be electrically connected simply by inserting it into the recess. This eliminates the need for complex cable routing through openings and allows easy access for installation and maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If contact elements are arranged radially to contact surfaces inside the tube, then electrical contacting becomes simple and reliable, but mechanical holding must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements serve dual functions: they provide electrical contact with the conductive tubular structure and simultaneously contribute to mechanical holding of the consumer module. The housing bears against the inner surface of the tube while the contact elements establish both electrical and mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are designed to perform multiple functions: electrical contact for power supply, mechanical holding to secure the consumer module in the recess, and positioning to ensure proper alignment. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall design while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
A load module (300) for inserting into a tube of a three-dimensional supporting tube structure of a furniture system comprises an elongate housing. Arranged on an outer side of the housing are two contact elements (351, 352) for electrically contacting the load module (300), which contact elements have different polarities. The contact elements (351, 352) are arranged in such a way that, with the load module (300) in the inserted state, they contact two contact surfaces of different polarity, which are arranged in the interior of the tube, in a substantially radial direction. The housing has a central region in the longitudinal direction with at least one projecting element (340) and outer regions in the longitudinal direction, wherein the load module can be inserted into a tube, which is provided with an elongate opening, of the tube structure in such a way that the at least one projecting element interacts with an edge of the opening and the outer regions bear against an inner lateral surface of the tube in regions adjoining the opening. Here, a first of the contact elements (351, 352) is arranged in a first circumferential position in one of the outer regions.