Wooden Nut Connection Structure for Recyclable Woodware Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current connection structures for woodware parts, such as tenon and mortise, nail, and bolt with inner and outer tooth nuts, face issues with reliability, firmness, and recyclability, leading to high production and transportation costs, waste of timber, and short duration of use due to lack of compatibility between old and new woodware models.

Innovation Solution

A novel connection structure utilizing a built-in wooden nut with a nail penetration hole and embedding hole, allowing for secure and efficient connection of woodware parts using a bolt, enabling compatibility between old and new models, and facilitating recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If traditional connection structures (tenon and mortise, nail, bolt with inner and outer tooth nuts) are used, then connection firmness or fastness is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to nails getting out, nuts becoming loose, and connection structures being damaged easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection firmnessVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into separate functional components: the wooden nut embedded in one part, the bolt passing through both parts, and the round nail securing the wooden nut. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wooden nut is embedded within the woodware part, creating a nested structure where the nut is housed inside the wood grain. This nesting provides structural support and stability, preventing the connection components from becoming loose or damaged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Force

If traditional connection structures are used, then connection fastness is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to high production cost and complex manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection fastnessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wooden nut is made from the same wood material as the woodware parts it connects. This homogeneity eliminates the need for separate metal fasteners, reducing material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The wooden nut and round nail are simple, inexpensive wooden components that replace expensive metal fasteners. Although wooden, they provide sufficient durability for the application while significantly reducing production costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Force

If traditional connection structures are used, then initial connection strength is achieved, but duration of action deteriorates due to short duration of use and easy damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial connection strengthVSAvoidduration of use
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The round nail is inserted through the wooden nut before final assembly, providing pre-positioning and cushioning that prevents misalignment and reduces stress concentrations during use. This preliminary securing enhances the durability and service life of the connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Force

If traditional connection structures are used, then connection firmness is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to recycle woodware parts between old and new models

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection firmnessVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wooden nut and bolt connection allows for easy disassembly and recovery of woodware parts. The embedded wooden nut remains in the original part, while the bolt and round nail can be removed and reused, enabling recycling and reuse of components between old and new woodware models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

The novel connection structure achieves uniform firmness and fastness, reduces timber waste, conserves energy, and promotes sustainable use of woodware, enhancing the utilization rate of timber and protecting forest resources.

Implementation Method 1

screwing a bolt into a wooden nut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the wooden nut and a round nail are used for fixing the wooden nut in the implanting hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3051152B1Connection structure for woodware part
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 TIAN SHENGJUN
  • EP3051152B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention provides a connection structure for a woodware part. Firstly, an implanting hole (4) is drilled at an appropriate location on the contact surface of a second woodware part (5), a through embedding hole (9) is drilled on the side surface of the second woodware part (5), the central lines of the implanting hole and the embedding hole are perpendicular to and intersect with each other, a wooden nut (6) is placed into the implanting hole (4), the central line of a nail penetration hole (8) on the wooden nut (6) and the central line of the embedding hole (9) overlap, and a round nail (10) is embedded along the embedding hole and the nail penetration hole; a through bolt hole (2) is drilled at a corresponding location on the contact surface of a first woodware part (3), and finally, the connection of the first and second woodware parts is realized by screwing a bolt (1) into the wooden nut through the bolt hole; the problems that an incompatibility exists between firmness and rapidness of the connection structure and that the woodware part cannot be recycled between old and new woodware of the same model are solved; the connection structure has the advantages of improving utilization ratio of wood, saving energy and protecting the environment, and manufacturers can realize carbon trading.