Blade-Based Modular Cabinet Assembly for On-Site Customization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional kitchen cabinetry involves costly and time-consuming manufacturing, shipping, and installation processes, with significant unusable space and hidden material costs, as cabinets are typically manufactured off-site and installed in standard sizes, limiting customization and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A blade-based cabinetry system using horizontally mountable rails and interchangeable blade assemblies that can be assembled on-site to form a customizable cabinet chassis, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced shipping costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If cabinets are manufactured off-site according to predetermined specifications, then manufacturing precision and quality control are improved, but shipping costs, installation time, and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet manufacturing precisionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet system is divided into modular blade assemblies that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. Each blade assembly is a standardized component that can be produced with high precision in a factory setting, yet the modular nature allows for rapid field assembly without requiring complex on-site manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade assemblies are pre-manufactured with precision in a controlled factory environment before being shipped to the installation site. This preliminary manufacturing action ensures high quality and precision while the actual cabinet assembly is then performed quickly on-site by simply connecting the pre-fabricated components together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If cabinets are manufactured off-site and shipped in bulky containers, then manufacturing precision is improved, but shipping costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet manufacturing precisionVSAvoidshipping and installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet system is divided into modular blade assemblies that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. Each blade assembly is a standardized component that can be produced with high precision in a factory setting, yet the modular nature allows for rapid field assembly without requiring complex on-site manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade assemblies are designed with a substantially planar profile, transforming three-dimensional bulky cabinet structures into two-dimensional flat packages. This dimensional transformation allows the cabinet components to be shipped efficiently in flat containers, significantly reducing shipping volume and complexity while maintaining the ability to form three-dimensional cabinet structures through on-site assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard sizes are used for cabinets, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability and versatility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet manufacturing easeVSAvoidcabinet configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet system is divided into modular blade assemblies that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. Each blade assembly is a standardized component that can be produced with high precision in a factory setting, yet the modular nature allows for rapid field assembly without requiring complex on-site manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cabinet system is designed to be dynamically configurable through the arrangement and combination of standardized blade assemblies. While each individual blade assembly is a fixed standard component, the overall cabinet configuration can be dynamically adapted to various space requirements and design preferences by simply repositioning or recombining the modular units during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If box-framed cabinet structures are used, then structural strength is improved, but volume efficiency and loss of substance decrease due to unusable space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet structural strengthVSAvoidunusable cabinet space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assemblies utilize substantially planar panel structures that serve as both the structural framework and the storage surfaces. This eliminates the need for thick box-framed constructions, allowing for thinner, more space-efficient designs that maintain structural integrity while maximizing usable interior volume and reducing material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10271652B2Blade based cabinet system
Publication Date: 2019.04.30 SWITCH BLADE DESIGN LLC
  • US10271652B2 patent drawing
  • US10271652B2 patent drawing
  • US10271652B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A blade based cabinet system and method. A disclosed cabinetry system includes cabinetry system, comprising: a pair of mounting rails that are horizontally mountable to a wall; a set of blade assemblies, each having a substantially planar profile; and a mounting interface adapted to connect the set of blade assemblies to the pair of mounting rails, orthogonal to the wall to form a cabinet chassis.