Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터 by Yu Ren is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 철상 in 디자인 품질 및 혁신 Competition Category.

철디자인 품질· 2025

Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터

by Yu Ren

Client: Ziel Home Furnishing Technology Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award 철상 Winner in 디자인 품질 Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터

Toolless-Cuddly는 캣타워 조립을 위해 설계된 커넥터입니다. 플라스틱으로 제작되었으며 크기는 너비 76mm, 깊이 76mm, 높이 46mm입니다. 결합부를 맞추어 회전시키는 방식으로 조립이 완료되므로 별도의 공구가 필요하지 않습니다. 부품은 여러 번 분해하고 다시 결합할 수 있어, 고양이의 필요가 변화함에 따라 캣타워를 확장하거나 재구성할 수 있습니다. 이 커넥터는 30kg의 하중을 지지합니다. 마모된 액세서리는 교체가 가능하여 캣타워의 사용 수명을 연장해 줍니다.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 철상

Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 철상 수상작으로, 잘 디자인된 창작물에 기대되는 전문적·산업적 요건을 충족하는 좋은 디자인에 수여되는 권위 있는 인정입니다. 철상 수상작은 창작자의 뛰어난 기술, 높은 전문성, 전문가다운 이해, 창의적 역량을 보여 줍니다. Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 창작물로서 실용적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 철상 수상 디자인은 업계 모범 사례를 통합하며 노하우와 재능으로 연결된 유능한 기술적 특성을 갖추고 있습니다. Toolless-Cuddly 조립 커넥터, 이 작품은 철저함으로 존중받으며 삶의 질을 개선하여 세상을 더 나은 곳으로 만들도록 디자인되었습니다.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Toolless Clickat is a connector specifically designed for assembling cat trees. It enables quick and easy assembly without the need for tools and can be disassembled and reassembled multiple times, allowing users to use the cat tree flexibly. Whether the cat grows up or the number of cats increases, users can quickly assemble and disassemble the cat tree according to their actual needs, enabling combination and expansion.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 76mm x Depth 76mm x Height 46mm
Tags: Assembling connectors, Pet products, Pet furniture, Plastic products, Pet supplies accessories
Production Technology: Toolless Clickat is made of a plastic material, which is sturdy and durable, and it can withstand a weight of 30KG. It is designed for the cat tree assembly and is easy to use. Cat tree products can be quickly assembled and disassembled without the use of any tools, significantly enhancing the user experience. Compared to traditional products, Toolless Clickat reduces installation time by 80%. It can also increase production efficiency during the manufacturing process of Cat Trees, which can lead to higher profits.
Design Challenge: During the research and design process, the main challenge lies in exploring a novel connector structure that not only meets the playful needs of cats, but also caters to the owner's preference for convenient installation. In addition, ensuring the stability of the connector to maximize the assembly speed is another major challenge, and the new connector needs to be smoothly adapted to the traditional cat tree accessories. The Toolless-Clickat connector uses an innovative connection mode, eliminating the use of a screwdriver. Compared with ordinary products, products assembled with the Toolless Clickat connector can reduce the installation time by 90%.
Research: Many users express dissatisfaction with traditional cat tree products, citing difficulties in installation, accessory replacement, and the inability to adjust the cat tree area to meet their cats' needs, which often necessitates re-selection. To address these issues, we have focused on enabling quick installation and replacement. We developed the Toolless Clickat quick-installation connectors, which allow for arbitrary combinations and minimalist assembly of cat tree components. Additionally, during subsequent use, vulnerable parts can be easily replaced using the Toolless Clickat system.
Inspiration: When your cat at home grows up and welcomes new companions, it will need more scratching posts and jumping platforms. The small cat climbing frame will need to be replaced with a larger one, and the owner will have to go through the lengthy installation process again. The design inspiration for Toolless Clickat's tool-free quick assembly comes from this very need.
Project Duration: The project started in Zhengzhou in February 2024 and was completed in Shenzhen in September 2024
Operation Flow: After installing the Toolless Click system on the cat tree accessory, users can quickly complete the assembly by aligning the clasps and rotating them. This makes the assembly and disassembly of the product very simple, reducing the time required for assembling a single accessory from 2 minutes to just 10 seconds. Additionally, compared to traditional screw connections, this system is more durable. The accessories can also be replaced according to the cat's growth needs, allowing the product to be freely reconfigured and extending the life cycle of the cat tree.
Patents: 2024102953744
Team Members: Ruihua Zhang
Zhe Gao
Youjin Song
Jingkai Bi