Assembly formed by a drawer side wall and a connection device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer connection systems, such as those described in WO 2013/149272 A1, face challenges in assembly and adjustment due to limited positional flexibility of the front panel relative to the drawer side wall, leading to potential tilting and adverse effects on furniture joint patterns, especially with manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a height adjustment device in the drawer side wall, which allows for transverse adjustment of the mounting device relative to the retaining bar, featuring a curved or circular retaining bar and guide with corresponding contours, a spring element for reliable latch release, and a locking mechanism with a pivoting lever and actuation shaft for precise positioning and easy adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front panel is connected directly to the drawer side panel using a fixed retaining bar, then the assembly structure is simple, but the front panel cannot be adjusted in position, leading to misalignment due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustability of front panelVSAvoidstructure complexity of connection device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining bar is designed to be movable along the drawer side panel rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the front panel position. The retaining bar can be positioned at different locations on the drawer side panel and locked in place, enabling adaptation to manufacturing tolerances and misalignment issues while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the retaining bar is made movable to allow position adjustment, then the front panel alignment is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of front panelVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining bar is pre-equipped with multiple positioning locations or adjustment mechanisms that allow for quick selection and locking. The drawer side panel includes pre-formed guides or slots that facilitate the rapid positioning and securing of the retaining bar, reducing the time required for alignment adjustments during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the retaining bolt is directly mounted in the drawer side panel, then the structure is compact, but the retaining bolt cannot be reliably released, leading to assembly difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of retaining bolt releaseVSAvoidstructure complexity of retaining mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A release mechanism or intermediary component is introduced between the retaining bolt and the drawer side panel. This intermediary allows the retaining bolt to be reliably held in the locked position during assembly while providing a simple release action (such as pressing a button or moving a lever) to disengage the bolt when needed, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances the ease of assembly and adjustment by allowing for precise positioning of the front panel relative to the drawer side wall, reducing the risk of tilting and improving the joint pattern consistency across furniture pieces, while maintaining a compact structure without increasing the drawer side wall thickness.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element, in particular a torsion spring, with which the at least one retaining bolt can be acted upon with a force in the direction of the release position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4149320B1Assembly formed by a drawer side wall and a connection device
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 VAN HOECKE NV
  • EP4149320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4149320B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4149320B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed by at least one drawer side wall (2) and at least one connection device for connecting the at least one drawer side wall (2) to at least one further drawer wall (3), in particular a front panel, wherein the at least one connection device comprises at least one retaining device (4) this is/can be arranged in the at least one drawer side wall (2) and at least one mounting device (5) that can be secured to the other drawer wall (3), having at least one retaining device (3), at least one retaining bar (6) and at least one guide (7), and the at least one retaining bar (6) is arranged such that it can move in the at least one guide (7) between a retaining position in which the at least one retaining bar (6) retains the mounting device (5), and a release position in which the at least one retaining bar releases the mounting device (5), wherein the at least one guide (7) is bent at least in regions in a longitudinal plane (8) of the at least one drawer side wall (2), preferably being circular at least in sections, wherein the at least one retaining bar (6) is substantially plate-shaped and is arranged substantially in a longitudinal plane (8) of the at least one drawer side wall (2).