Drawer Wall Connection Adapter With Integrated Position Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current connecting devices for drawer wall elements, particularly in furniture, lack a technically intelligent and economically advantageous solution for providing a stable and space-saving connection while allowing for adjustable positioning and reduced component count.

Innovation Solution

A plate-shaped connection adapter with engagement means that cooperates with the end face of one wall element and the main side of another, offering a stable and compact connection, incorporating an adjustment mechanism for relative positioning and potentially reducing the number of components needed during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If simple adhesive or tenon joints are used for connecting drawer wall elements, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the connection stability and strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidconnection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connection function and adjustment function into a single integrated connecting device. The connecting device includes both connection elements for joining drawer wall elements and an adjustment mechanism for positioning, eliminating the need for separate adjustment components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical connection between drawer wall elements, enables positional adjustment during assembly, and ensures stable fixation. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by achieving high connection strength without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for connection and adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the adjustment mechanism directly into the connecting device structure. The adjustment mechanism uses the connection elements themselves as part of the adjustment system, allowing positional adjustment without requiring separate adjustment components. This reduces the total number of parts while maintaining full adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device serves dual purposes: it connects drawer wall elements together and provides adjustment capability for positioning. This universal design allows one component to fulfill multiple functions, reducing component count while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If a plate-shaped connection adapter is used to provide stable connection, then connection strength improves, but the space requirement and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidconnection device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is segmented into functional elements that are distributed across the connection interface. The connection elements and adjustment mechanism are integrated in a way that distributes the structural load without requiring a single large plate, reducing overall volume while maintaining connection stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a traditional plate-shaped connection adapter to a three-dimensional connecting device with vertically arranged elements. The connection elements extend in multiple directions and the adjustment mechanism is arranged in the vertical dimension, achieving stable connection with reduced horizontal space requirements

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

Data Source

PatentEP2575547B1Connecting device and drawer having a connecting device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 GRASS GMBH
  • EP2575547B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2575547B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for connecting wall elements (18, 19) of a drawer, the wall elements (18, 19) forming at least part of a wall of the drawer when connected and the drawer wall comprising a front wall, a rear wall and/or at least one side wall. According to the invention, for the connection of the wall elements (18, 19) to be connected, a plate-shaped connection adapter (1) having engagement means (20-24) is provided, which, to make the connection, interacts both with an end face of a first wall element (18) to be connected and with a main side of a second wall element (19) to be connected, wherein the connection adapter (1) rests against the end face and the main side in the main direction of the extension thereof.