Solid Wood Bed Corner Joint for Tool-Free Assembly and Load Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner connections for metal-free solid wood beds are not modular, making it difficult to easily assemble and disassemble without tools, are not space-efficient for storage, and lack resilience under dynamic loads, while also compromising on aesthetics and load-bearing capacity.

Innovation Solution

A corner connection design featuring dowels and guide grooves on the foot and side parts, with a box-shaped recess and rebate system that allows for secure, tool-free assembly and disassembly, distributing loads effectively to prevent creaking and ensure a modern aesthetic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional corner connections with pins and glue are used, then stability is improved, but disassembly capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner connection stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corner connection is divided into separate modular components: a corner element with dowels and through-holes, and side parts with corresponding insertion openings. This segmentation allows the connection to be both stable when assembled and easily disassembled when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and disassembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner connection transitions from a static glued joint to a dynamic removable joint. The side parts can be inserted into and removed from the corner element multiple times, providing adaptability while maintaining stability during use. This dynamic characteristic enables both stable operation and easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If removable corner connections with dowels and through-holes are used, then disassembly capability is improved, but load-bearing capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly capabilityVSAvoidshear load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The load-bearing mechanism is enhanced by utilizing the vertical dimension through multiple dowels arranged one below the other. This multi-level dowel configuration increases the shear load capacity while maintaining the removable nature of the connection, resolving the contradiction between disassembly capability and load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The corner connection combines multiple wooden components (corner element, side parts, dowels) into a composite structure that achieves high load-bearing capacity through the synergistic arrangement of these elements, while remaining entirely metal-free and disassemblable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If through-bolts are used for reinforcement, then stability is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner connection stabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The metal through-bolts are extracted and replaced with wooden dowels and corner elements. This substitution maintains the structural stability and reinforcement function while eliminating the visual disturbance caused by metal fasteners, achieving both stability and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

All components of the corner connection are made of wood with matching appearance and texture. The dowels, corner element, and side parts form a homogeneous wooden assembly that is visually uniform and aesthetically pleasing, while providing sufficient structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

4Strength

If multiple dowels are used to increase stability, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidcorner connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple dowels are integrated into a single corner element that houses them all. This merging of multiple load-bearing elements into one unified component increases load-bearing capacity while simplifying the overall structure and reducing the number of separate parts to assemble and disassemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1835184B1Corner connection for a metal-free bed made of solid wood
Publication Date: 2008.12.31 WEYRAUCH RALF
  • EP1835184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1835184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1835184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The corner connector for a metal-free solid wood bed has a box-form cut-out at the upper end of the foot section (1), with one or more dowels arranged in the side walls of the cut-out, wherein on the end face of one of the associated side sections (2) there is a rebate (8), the width corresponding to the width of the end face of the other side section. A slot is located on the end face of the other side section and has a locking spigot (10) at the end.