Tooth groove type unlocking low-cost drawer panel connecting structure

Abstract

The invention discloses a low-cost drawer front panel and side panel buckle connecting structure, and belongs to the technical field of furniture hardware. The structure comprises an insertion buckle piece installed on a front panel and a panel connecting assembly installed on a side panel, the insertion buckle piece is provided with an insertion head with a clamping block, the panel connecting assembly comprises a lock box and a movable buckle plate sliding vertically, the movable buckle plate partially extends into an insertion groove of the lock box to form a clamping groove, and locking is achieved through matching of the clamping block and the clamping groove; the core innovation lies in that the movable buckle plate is provided with a vertical long-strip-shaped groove with unlocking teeth, an unlocking hole is formed in the corresponding position of the lock box, an external tool can penetrate through the unlocking hole to be meshed with the unlocking teeth, and the movable buckle plate is screwed and driven to move vertically to complete unlocking. The drawer is suitable for quick assembly and disassembly of various drawer furniture, and has remarkable economic value and market application prospect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of drawer structures, and in particular to a low-cost drawer panel connection structure with a toothed unlocking mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the furniture manufacturing industry, drawers are common storage components, and the way their front and side panels are connected directly affects assembly efficiency, user experience, and production costs. Traditional screw connections require specialized tools, and assembly and disassembly are time-consuming and labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for large-scale production and user self-assembly.

[0003] To address this issue, various quick-release buckle structures have emerged in the industry. For example, patent CN105201968B discloses a single-buckle connection structure that unlocks by driving a movable buckle plate through a cam adjustment component; patent CN105201967B further expands this into a multi-buckle structure, improving connection stability. However, these existing technologies have the following shortcomings: 1) Complex structure and high cost: It relies on precision components such as cams and rockers, which are difficult to process and have a large number of parts, increasing production and assembly costs.

[0004] 2) Limited unlocking operation: Requires the use of tools with specific shapes (such as screwdrivers that match the cam adjustment parts), which is inconvenient for users and is prone to failure due to wear and tear of parts.

[0005] 3) High maintenance difficulty: Once the complex internal structure fails, the cost of repairing and replacing parts is high.

[0006] Therefore, the market urgently needs a drawer panel snap-fit ​​connection structure that is simple in structure, low in cost, easy to operate and highly reliable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a low-cost drawer panel connection structure with a toothed unlocking mechanism.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a low-cost drawer panel connection structure with a toothed unlocking mechanism, comprising a fastener and a panel connection assembly respectively mounted on the front panel and side panel. The fastener includes at least one plug. The panel connection assembly includes a lock box with a movable inner cavity and a movable latch plate vertically slidably mounted within the movable inner cavity. The front end face of the lock box has at least one slot, which communicates with the movable inner cavity. The movable latch plate partially extends into the slot and has a locking groove. The plug is inserted into the slot, and the plug has a locking block for engaging with the locking groove. The locking groove is used to... When the locking blocks engage, the fastener and the panel connection assembly are locked. The movable buckle plate has a vertically extending slot, and the inner wall of the slot has several vertically spaced unlocking teeth integrally formed. The lock box has an unlocking hole communicating with the movable inner cavity. The unlocking hole and the slot are partially overlapped and aligned to allow the end of an external tool to pass through the unlocking hole and extend into the slot, so that the end of the external tool engages with the unlocking teeth. By turning the external tool, the movable buckle plate is driven to move vertically relative to the lock box, causing the slot to move synchronously and disengage from the locking block, thus unlocking the fastener and the panel connection assembly.

[0009] Furthermore, the panel connection assembly also includes a base fixedly mounted on the side panel. The base has an opening facing the front panel and a mounting cavity for accommodating the lock box. The lock box can slide vertically relative to the base within the mounting cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, the movable buckle plate is formed with at least one vertically extending guide slide, and the lock box is fixed with at least one guide post that corresponds to and cooperates with the guide slide.

[0011] Furthermore, each of the plugs includes two parallel and spaced-apart prongs, and the locking block is located in the gap between the two prongs on the same plug. The locking block is cylindrical and its axis is perpendicular to the extension direction of the prongs.

[0012] Furthermore, the movable buckle plate is fitted with the gap between the two prongs on the same plug. The movable buckle plate has a guide slope on the side facing the slot entrance, which corresponds to the slot. The guide slope is engaged with the locking block to push the movable buckle plate upward and away from the slot. The ends of the guide slope are the entrances to the slot. When the locking block is engaged in the slot, it locks the buckle and the panel connection assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, a reset spring is provided. The side of the movable buckle plate away from the slot extends outward from the movable inner cavity and is fixedly connected to one end of the reset spring. The other end of the reset spring is fixedly connected to the lock box.

[0014] Furthermore, the lock box has a horizontally extending waist-shaped through hole. The lock box and the base are connected by an eccentric screw, and the eccentric screw passes through the waist-shaped through hole so that the eccentric protrusion of the eccentric screw is placed in the waist-shaped through hole. By turning the eccentric screw, the eccentric protrusion drives the lock box to move vertically.

[0015] The present invention adopts the above-mentioned solution, and its beneficial effects are as follows: 1) Unlocking is achieved by using a long slot and unlocking teeth in conjunction with ordinary external tools, reducing the number of parts and processing costs, and lowering production and maintenance expenses. 2) The unlocking hole and eccentric screw are both exposed on the side of the panel connection assembly, and users can use common screwdrivers and other tools to complete the unlocking and position adjustment operations without the need for special tools; 3) By changing the original complex and high-precision sheet metal structure to an integral lock box structure, the number of parts is reduced, production costs are lowered, processing difficulty is reduced, and assembly processes are optimized. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-clamp connection structure for the drawer panel.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part A.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-snap-fit ​​panel connection assembly.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the movable buckle plate and the lock box of the multi-snap panel connection assembly.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the movable snap-on plate.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-clamp fastener.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-clip fastening process.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a single snap-fit ​​connection structure for a drawer panel.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a single snap-fit ​​panel connection assembly.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the movable buckle plate and the lock box of the single snap-on panel connection assembly.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a multi-clamp fastener.

[0027] Among them, 1-fastener; 11-plug; 111-insert piece; 112-block; 2-panel connection assembly; 21-base; 22-lock box; 221-slot; 222-slotted through hole; 23-movable buckle plate; 231-guide slide; 232-guide bevel; 233-slot; 234-long slot; 2341-unlocking tooth; 24-unlocking hole; 3-reset spring; 4-eccentric screw; 5-front panel; 6-side panel. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more complete description is given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to provide a thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of the invention.

[0029] See appendix Figure 1-11 As shown, in this embodiment, a low-cost drawer panel connection structure with a toothed unlocking mechanism includes a fastener 1 and a panel connection assembly 2 respectively installed on the front panel 5 and the side panel 6. The fastener 1 is fixedly installed on the inner surface of the front panel 5 by bolts. The fastener 1 has at least one plug 11 (the plug 11 is perpendicular to the inner surface of the front panel 5), and the number of plugs 11 can be set to one (see Appendix). Figure 8-11 (Single buckle shown) or N (N≥2, see appendix) Figure 1-7 The multi-clamp structure shown has plugs 11 arranged side by side along the same vertical direction with intervals. The specific number is determined by the height of the front panel 5 and the side panel 6. The greater the height, the more plugs 11 there are. No specific limit is made here.

[0030] Furthermore, each plug 11 consists of two parallel and spaced-apart prongs 111, with a gap between them to facilitate engagement with the panel connection assembly 2. A locking block 112 is disposed within the gap between the two prongs 111 (i.e., the two ends of the locking block 112 are fixedly connected to the two prongs 111 respectively). The locking block 112 is preferably cylindrical (the diameter of the locking block 112 matches the width of the slot 233 to ensure tightness after engagement), and its axis is perpendicular to the extension direction of the prongs 111. The cylindrical shape of the locking block 112 results in more even force distribution during sliding and engagement, reducing wear and extending service life.

[0031] In this embodiment, the panel connecting assembly 2 is used to install on the drawer side panel 6, including a lock box 22, a movable snap plate 23, a base 21, an eccentric screw 4, and a return spring 3. Specifically, the lock box 22 is integrally stamped or injection molded, and has an internal movable cavity. The slot 221 formed on the front end is precisely matched with the shape of the plug 11. The depth of the slot 221 ensures that the locking block 112 can fully contact the guide slope of the movable snap plate 23 after the plug 11 is inserted. The movable snap plate 23 is made of high-strength metal or engineering plastic, and is vertically slidably installed in the movable cavity of the lock box 22. The movable snap plate 23 partially extends into the slot 221, and this part is formed with a slot 233. The locking between the plug fastener 1 and the panel connecting assembly 2 is achieved by the slot 233 cooperating with the locking block 112 on the plug 11. In addition, a slight chamfer can be set at the entrance of the slot 233 to facilitate the smooth sliding of the locking block 112.

[0032] Furthermore, the movable buckle 23 has at least one vertically extending guide track 231 formed on it (the number of guide tracks 231 can be determined by the actual structural design, and is not specifically limited here; in this embodiment, it is preferably 3 tracks). The lock box 22 is fixed with at least one guide post that corresponds to and cooperates with the guide track 231 (in this embodiment, 3 guide posts are provided). The cooperation between the guide track 231 and the guide post ensures the stability of the vertical sliding of the movable buckle 23 and avoids jamming.

[0033] Furthermore, the side of the movable buckle plate 23 away from the slot 221 extends outward from the movable inner cavity and is fixedly connected to one end of the return spring 3. The other end of the return spring 3 is fixedly connected to the lock box 22. The return spring 3 generates a downward elastic force on the movable buckle plate 23, thereby driving the movable buckle plate 23 to reset, so as to achieve precise locking of the locking block 112 and the locking slot 233.

[0034] Furthermore, the movable buckle 23 is fitted with the gap between the two prongs 111 on the same plug 11 (the width of the gap between the two prongs 111 is adapted to the thickness of the movable buckle 23 to ensure that the movable buckle 23 can be smoothly inserted). On the side of the movable buckle 23 that is in the same direction as the entrance of the slot 221, there is a guide slope that corresponds to the slot 221 (the inclination angle of the guide slope is set to 30°-60° to facilitate the locking block 112 to push the movable buckle 23 to slide). The guide slope and the locking block 112 are in contact to push the movable buckle 23 upward away from the slot 221. The entrance of the slot 233 is smoothly connected to the end of the guide slope. The ends of the guide slope 232 are all the entrances of the slot 233. When the locking block 112 is inserted into the slot 233, the fastener 1 and the panel connecting assembly 2 are locked.

[0035] In this embodiment, the movable buckle plate 23 has a vertically extending elongated groove 234, and one side of its inner wall is integrally formed with several vertically spaced unlocking teeth 2341. The unlocking teeth 2341 have a serrated structure, which facilitates engagement and transmission with external tools (such as conventional tools like Phillips screwdrivers). The lock box 22 has an unlocking hole 24 communicating with the movable inner cavity. The unlocking hole 24 and the elongated groove 234 are partially overlapped and aligned, so that the end of the external tool can pass through the unlocking hole 24 and extend into the elongated groove 234, so that the end of the external tool can engage with the unlocking teeth 2341. By turning the external tool, the movable buckle plate 23 is driven to move vertically relative to the lock box 22, causing the slot 233 to move synchronously and disengage from the locking block 112, thereby realizing the unlocking between the buckle 1 and the panel connection assembly 2.

[0036] For ease of understanding, the following is in conjunction with the appendix. Figure 7 The locking and unlocking processes will be further explained separately.

[0037] The latch 1 is pre-fixed to the side of the front panel 5 of the drawer by means of screws or adhesive, and the lock box 22 is fixed to the side panel 6.

[0038] The locking process includes the following steps: A1. By pushing the front panel 5, the plug 11 of the fastener 1 is aligned with the corresponding slot 221 of the lock box 22, and during the insertion process, the gap between the two prongs 111 of the plug 11 and the part of the movable buckle plate 23 extending into the slot 221 form a clamping engagement.

[0039] A2. As the plug 11 continues to advance, the locking block 112 between the inserts 111 contacts the guide slope of the movable buckle 23; when the locking block 112 slides along the inclined guide slope, it generates a vertical component force (upward), which pushes the movable buckle 23 to overcome the elastic force of the return spring 3, and the movable buckle 23 slides upward vertically under the guidance of the guide post and the guide slide 231. At this time, the return spring 3 is stretched and stores energy.

[0040] A3. When the locking block 112 slides to the end of the guide slope (i.e., the entrance of the slot 233), the vertical thrust of the locking block 112 on the guide slope disappears; the reset spring 3 releases the stored elastic force, pulls the movable buckle plate 23 to automatically reset downward along the guide post, and the slot 233 accurately wraps around the locking block 112 (in the case of multiple buckles, N slots 233 simultaneously clamp the corresponding locking block 112), finally achieving the locking of the insert fastener 1 and the panel connection component 2, and fixing the front panel 5 and the side panel 6 into one piece.

[0041] The unlocking process includes the following steps: B1. Select an external tool (such as a Phillips screwdriver), pass the end of the tool through the exposed unlocking hole 24 on the side of the lock box 22, and insert it into the long groove 234 of the movable buckle plate 23, ensuring that the end of the tool is fully engaged with the unlocking teeth 2341 on the inner wall of the long groove 234. B2. Tighten the external tool in a directional manner so that the cutting teeth at the end of the external tool act on the unlocking teeth 2341, thereby converting the rotational motion into a vertical driving force (upward); under the guidance of the guide post and the guide slide 231, the movable buckle 23 slides only vertically upward, and the reset spring 3 is stretched and stores energy; B3. As the movable buckle plate 23 continues to move upward, until the locking block 112 is completely disengaged from the slot 233, the locking state between the fastener 1 and the panel connection assembly 2 is released; B4. With the external tool still in the screw position, pull the front panel 5 in the opposite direction to allow the plug 11 of the fastener 1 to be smoothly pulled out from the slot 221 of the lock box 22, thus completing the disassembly of the front panel 5 and the side panel 6. After releasing the tool, the return spring 3 will drive the movable buckle plate 23 back to the initial position, preparing for the next locking.

[0042] In summary, the locking process of this embodiment only requires pushing the panel, relying on the natural cooperation of the mechanical structure to complete the locking without any additional operations. The unlocking process does not require special tools; a regular screwdriver can be used. It effectively replaces the complex transmission of the existing patented "cam adjustment component + guide groove," with very low cost, high operational fault tolerance, and more efficient assembly, debugging, or daily maintenance and disassembly in mass production, as well as a longer service life.

[0043] To facilitate the installation of the lock box 22 onto the side panel 6, the panel connecting assembly 2 in this embodiment further includes a base 21 fixedly installed on the side panel 6. The base 21 is made of stamped or injection-molded metal and can be fixed to the interior of the side panel 6 by means of embedding, bolts, etc. The base 21 has a mounting cavity that opens towards the front panel 5 to accommodate the lock box 22, and the lock box 22 can slide vertically relative to the base 21 within the mounting cavity. The size of the mounting cavity is adapted to the shape of the lock box 22 to ensure that the lock box 22 can slide smoothly vertically within the mounting cavity.

[0044] Furthermore, the lock box 22 has a horizontally extending oblong through hole 222. The lock box 22 is connected to the base 21 by an eccentric screw 4, and the eccentric screw 4 passes through the oblong through hole 222 so that the eccentric protrusion of the eccentric screw 4 is placed inside the oblong through hole 222. The head of the eccentric screw 4 is exposed on the side of the panel connecting assembly 2 (the head of the eccentric screw 4 has a slotted or Phillips head for easy screwing). The diameter of the eccentric protrusion of the eccentric screw 4 is adapted to the width of the oblong through hole 222 to ensure that the lock box 22 can be effectively moved vertically when screwed. Thus, by screwing the eccentric screw 4, the eccentric protrusion moves the lock box 22 vertically, thereby adjusting the vertical position of the slot 221. Specifically, when it is necessary to adjust the vertical relative position of the front panel 5 and the side panel 6, use a screwdriver to tighten the head of the eccentric screw 4, so that its eccentric protrusion rotates in the waist-shaped through hole 222 of the lock box 22. Due to the eccentric effect of the eccentric protrusion, the lock box 22 is pushed to move vertically along the mounting cavity of the base 21, which in turn drives the buckle 1 and the front panel 5 to move vertically until the desired position is reached. Then stop tightening the eccentric screw 4. The eccentric protrusion of the eccentric screw 4 fits tightly against the inner wall of the waist-shaped through hole 222, thereby fixing the position of the lock box 22 and ensuring the stability of the connection structure after adjustment.

[0045] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention, using the disclosed technical content, are equivalent embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes made based on the concept of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-cost drawer panel connection structure with a toothed unlocking mechanism, comprising a snap fastener (1) and a panel connection assembly (2) respectively mounted on a front panel (5) and a side panel (6), wherein the snap fastener (1) includes at least one plug (11), and the panel connection assembly (2) includes a lock box (22) having a movable cavity and a movable latch plate (23) vertically slidably mounted in the movable cavity, wherein, The front end face of the lock box (22) is formed with at least one slot (221), which is connected to the movable inner cavity; the movable buckle plate (23) extends partially into the slot (221) and is formed with a slot (233); the plug (11) is inserted into the slot (221), and the plug (11) is provided with a locking block (112) for engaging with the slot (233); by engaging with the slot (233) and the locking block (112), the locking between the buckle (1) and the panel connecting assembly (2) is realized, characterized in that: the movable buckle plate (23) is provided with a vertically extending elongated groove (234), the elongated groove ( 234) The inner wall is integrally formed with several vertically spaced unlocking teeth (2341); the lock box (22) is provided with an unlocking hole (24) communicating with the movable inner cavity. The unlocking hole (24) and the long groove (234) are partially overlapped and aligned so that the end of the external tool can pass through the unlocking hole (24) and extend into the long groove (234), so that the end of the external tool can engage with the unlocking teeth (2341). By twisting the external tool, the movable buckle plate (23) is driven to move vertically relative to the lock box (22), so that the card slot (233) moves synchronously to disengage from the card block (112), thereby realizing the unlocking between the buckle (1) and the panel connection assembly (2).

2. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that: The panel connection assembly (2) further includes a base (21) fixedly mounted on the side panel (6). The base (21) has an opening facing the front panel (5) for accommodating the lock box (22), and the lock box (22) can slide vertically relative to the base (21) within the mounting cavity.

3. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable buckle plate (23) is formed with at least one vertically extending guide slide (231), and the lock box (22) is fixed with at least one guide post that corresponds to and cooperates with the guide slide (231).

4. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each plug (11) includes two parallel and spaced-apart inserts (111), and a locking block (112) is provided in the gap between the two inserts (111) on the same plug (11). The locking block (112) is cylindrical and its axis is perpendicular to the extension direction of the inserts (111).

5. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 4, characterized in that: The movable buckle (23) is fitted with the gap between the two prongs (111) on the same plug (11). The movable buckle (23) has a guide slope that corresponds to the slot (221) on the side facing the same direction as the slot (221). The guide slope is engaged with the locking block (112) to push the movable buckle (23) upward away from the slot (221). The ends of the guide slope (232) are the entrances of the slot (233). When the locking block (112) is inserted into the slot (233), it locks the fastener (1) and the panel connecting assembly (2).

6. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 5, characterized in that: A reset spring (3) is also provided. The movable buckle plate (23) extends outward from the movable inner cavity on the side away from the slot (221) and is fixedly connected to one end of the reset spring (3). The other end of the reset spring (3) is fixedly connected to the lock box (22).

7. The low-cost drawer panel connection structure with toothed unlocking according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lock box (22) has a horizontally extending waist-shaped through hole (222). The lock box (22) and the base (21) are connected by an eccentric screw (4). The eccentric screw (4) passes through the waist-shaped through hole (222) so that the eccentric protrusion of the eccentric screw (4) is placed in the waist-shaped through hole (222). By turning the eccentric screw (4), the eccentric protrusion drives the lock box (22) to move vertically.

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