Composite Drawer Wall Element for Design Versatility and Light Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer designs struggle to offer versatile and aesthetically pleasing options while meeting both technical and economic criteria, as they often lack flexibility in design adjustments and material combinations that can effectively enhance the appearance of furniture.
Innovation Solution
A composite drawer wall element is created using at least two layer elements, where one layer is made of transparent or translucent material, typically glass, and the other of a non-glass material, connected via a thin adhesive layer, allowing for a wide range of design variations and light/color effects, and can be used for both inside and outside surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drawer wall element uses a single component or uniform material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the design versatility and aesthetic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer wall element is divided into multiple shell elements (front shell, back shell, side shells) that can be independently designed and manufactured. Each shell element can have different designs, materials, or finishes, allowing for versatile design combinations while maintaining relatively simple individual manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines different materials in the shell elements, such as transparent or translucent materials (glass, plastic) combined with opaque materials, or different wood types, metals, or composite materials. This creates aesthetic versatility while each material can be processed using its optimal manufacturing method.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different elements are used to form the outer surface, then design customization options increase, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer wall element design uses standardized connection interfaces and modular shell elements that can be reused across different drawer configurations. The same basic shell element design can serve multiple functions (front, back, or side walls) depending on orientation and material selection, reducing the total number of unique parts to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell elements are designed to nest or fit together in a hierarchical manner, with inner shells fitting within or against outer shells. This nested structure allows for complex multi-material designs while maintaining compact assembly and simplifying the manufacturing of individual nested components.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent or translucent glass material is used, then aesthetic light and color effects are enhanced, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making entire drawer walls from expensive transparent glass, the invention applies transparent or translucent shell elements selectively to specific areas where light effects are most desired (such as front panels or accent walls), while other areas use more economical opaque materials. This localized application achieves aesthetic goals while controlling costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses bonding agents to join shell elements, creating seamless transitions between transparent and opaque materials. The bonding process creates optical illusions that can enhance light effects without requiring the entire structure to be made of expensive transparent material, effectively 'copying' the aesthetic benefit at lower cost.
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 provides a durable, aesthetically versatile, and cost-effective way to design drawers and furniture, enabling numerous design variants with identical glass elements and individually adapted non-glass elements, achieving a uniform appearance and various light and color effects.
Implementation Method 1
The connection of the at least two layer elements is preferably realized by material bonding or with a transparent bonding agent, preferably with an adhesive present between the layer elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A drawer wall element for a drawer (3) is proposed, the drawer wall element forming a side wall (14, 15), a rear wall (12), a front wall (11) or an inner wall of the assembled drawer (3). According to the invention, a surface area of the drawer wall element is formed from a composite part (16) made from at least two layer elements (21, 22, 23), wherein a first layer element (21, 23) consists of a transparent or translucent material and a second layer element (22) consists of a consists of a different material to the material of the first layer element (21, 23), and the second layer element (21) covers the first layer element (21, 23) on one side and is connected to it.