Device for fixing a drawer and piece of furniture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for fixing drawers to movable rails on pull-out runners often require pre-adjustment of the drawer height before installing anti-lift devices, which limits post-installation adjustment and can result in the devices being pulled out of their holes.

Innovation Solution

A device with an elastic connecting section that allows for adjustable height positioning of the mounting element after installation, using a housing connected to a holder on the rail via a rotatable knurled nut for easy alignment and a deformable contour to compensate for adjustment movements, ensuring the drawer can be secured against lifting without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drawer height is adjusted before installing the anti-lift device, then the drawer position can be aligned properly, but the adjustment is no longer possible after installation which may cause the device to be pulled out of the bore

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting of anti-lift deviceVSAvoidpost-installation adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting section is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing the mounting element's position to be dynamically adjusted after installation. The elastic design enables the connecting section to flex during adjustment and then maintain the new position, providing both secure mounting and post-installation adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connecting section allows for parameter changes in the position of the mounting element relative to the housing. By changing the physical state of the connecting section from rigid to elastic, the system enables position adjustment while maintaining secure attachment to the drawer bore.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting element is fixed rigidly to the housing, then the structure is simple and strong, but the drawer cannot be adjusted after installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructure of connecting section
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting section is designed as a flexible elastic component that can deform during adjustment. This flexible design allows the mounting element to move relative to the housing for height adjustment while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate components are used for the mounting element, connecting section, and housing, then assembly and disassembly are easier, but the structure becomes more complex and may reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassemblyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element, connecting section, and housing are formed as a single integrated component. This merging of components simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for multiple separate parts, while the elastic design of the connecting section within the integrated component still allows for adjustment and maintains reliability.

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

Enables easy and secure adjustment of the drawer's position post-installation, allowing for height adjustment between 0.2 mm and 20 mm, ensuring the anti-lift device remains effective and simplifies handling by allowing tool-free assembly and secure mounting.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting section is elastically designed... the cross-section of the connecting section is selected such that it is elastically movable to a certain extent... the connecting section comprises at least one deformable contour so that the connecting section can compensate for an adjustment range of an adjustment device and is guided by a bending movement during adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3917360B1Device for fixing a drawer and piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3917360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3917360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3917360B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A device (10) for fixing a drawer (3) to a movable rail (7) of a pull-out guide (6) comprises a holder (11), which is fixed on the rail (7) and on which a position-adjusting device (12, 18) is provided in order to position the drawer (3) adjustably relative to the rail (7), and a housing (14) which is placed onto the holder (11) and is connected via at least one connecting section (15) to at least one mounting element (16) which is fixable to a side frame (4) of the drawer (3), wherein the connecting section (15) is elastic, and the position-adjusting device (12, 13) is adjustable when the mounting element (16) is mounted. This allows the drawer (3) to be secured against being lifted off the rail (7).