Drawer Coupling Structure With Latching Profiles to Reduce Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Furniture coupling devices face issues with wear and tear on the surface of inner drawers, affecting the coupling function and appearance, and require complex designs to ensure reliable and compact coupling.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with two connecting elements, one featuring latching projections and the other a profile element with multiple contours, allowing for secure latching and easy decoupling, while distributing forces to reduce wear and enabling adjustable coupling based on usage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling device with latching projections and profile contours is used, then coupling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate connecting elements: one with multiple latching projections and another with corresponding profile contours. This segmentation allows each element to have a specialized function, improving coupling reliability through multiple engagement points while keeping individual components relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching projections are arranged in a nested or hierarchical manner within the connecting element, with multiple projections of varying sizes or positions that correspond to different profile contours. This nesting allows for multiple coupling configurations without requiring completely separate components for each configuration.
2Reliability
If multiple latching projections are provided, then coupling reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latching projections are integrated into a single connecting element rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, while still providing multiple engagement points for reliable coupling. The projections can be formed as integral features of the connecting element through conventional manufacturing processes.
3Shape
If the front panel covers the inner drawer, then a compact design is achieved, but wear and tear on the inner drawer surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the front panel and the inner drawer. Instead of the front panel directly contacting and potentially damaging the inner drawer surface, the coupling device provides a controlled engagement interface with distributed contact points, reducing concentrated wear and tear while maintaining the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device changes the parameters of the interaction between the front panel and inner drawer by distributing the contact force across multiple latching projections and profile contours. This transforms a single-point high-stress contact into a multi-point distributed contact, reducing wear and tear while maintaining the compact configuration.
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
The solution provides a durable, reliable, and user-friendly coupling mechanism that minimizes wear and tear, ensures secure attachment, and adapts to different usage scenarios, maintaining the appearance and functionality of the furniture.
Implementation Method 1
the latching projections being arranged elastically in a predetermined position in relation to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The device (1) has connecting elements (2, 3) attached at a front-sided front side (22) of an inner drawer (20), and at a front diaphragm (23) of an outer drawer (21), respectively. One of the elements includes detent projections, which are elastically arranged relative to each other in a preset position. Profile contours are formed at a profile element (9) e.g. elongate strip-like part, of one of the connecting elements such that the projections engage behind the profile element at the profile contours for transferring tensile forces in a coupled condition, and form a detent pair.