Assemblable drawer for furniture and method for assembling the drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assemblable drawers face instability under high stress due to insufficient connection between metallic side and rear walls, requiring additional machining for elastic retention means that compromise aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The drawer features end openings in metallic side and rear walls for coupling means, including eccentric engagement elements and screw mechanisms that provide stable assembly without lateral openings, ensuring secure engagement without compromising aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If forced coupling is used to connect connectors to drawer walls, then assembly is simple and rapid, but the connection is insufficient under high stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement means are designed to be moveable during assembly, allowing the connector to be inserted easily, then they move to a locked position under stress to provide secure retention. This dynamic transformation enables both rapid assembly and reliable connection under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If elastic retention means with lateral openings are provided in drawer walls, then connection stability under stress is improved, but additional machining operations are required and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmachining operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing openings in the drawer walls for retention means, the invention inverts the approach by providing the openings in the connectors themselves. The coupling parts with lateral openings are integrated into the connectors, eliminating the need to machine the drawer walls while maintaining secure engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If connectors are provided with tabs or elastic retention means, then drawer assembly stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines multiple functions into the coupling parts: the lateral openings serve both as engagement features for retention and as aesthetic elements on the visible surfaces. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for rapid, reliable, and cost-effective assembly of the drawer, maintaining stability under high stress without the need for additional machining or aesthetically unpleasing lateral openings.

Implementation Method 1

said moveable engagement means comprise at least one eccentric engagement element for the forced or shape coupling of said moveable engagement means in said end openings of such side walls and of such rear wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

said moveable engagement means for said corner and front connectors comprise screw means which can engage in such side walls and/or such rear wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3288420B1Assemblable drawer for furniture and method for assembling the drawer
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 ARTURO SALICE SPA
  • EP3288420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3288420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3288420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assemblable drawer (1) for furniture, comprising a pair of side walls (2,3), a rear wall (4), a bottom (5), and a front panel (6); the side walls (2,3) and the rear wall (4) are provided with end openings (7) which are adapted to allow the coupling of coupling means (10,11) which in turn are adapted to be locked within the end openings (7) by engagement means (25,26,27,28) which can move for forced or shape coupling of the moveable engagement means in the end openings (7) of the side walls (2,3) and of the rear wall (4).