Drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer designs with decorative elements require extensive dismantling for assembly and replacement, and proposed holders are either complex or aesthetically intrusive, making simple assembly and replacement difficult.

Innovation Solution

The drawer features holders designed for force or form locking, with a holding part between the side wall and decorative element, and a separate holding part between the decorative element and railing strut, utilizing a retaining tongue and spring elements for secure engagement, allowing easy insertion and locking of the decorative element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the decorative element is installed together with the drawer using conventional methods, then the assembly is secure, but the assembly process is complex and requires extensive dismantling for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly simplicityVSAvoidAssembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into two separate parts: a first holder part attached to the drawer body and a second holder part attached to the decorative element. This segmentation allows the decorative element to be independently installed and removed without dismantling the entire drawer assembly, resolving the contradiction between secure assembly and assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary component between the drawer body and the decorative element. By introducing this intermediate fixing mechanism, the patent enables simple attachment and detachment of the decorative element while maintaining secure connection, thus improving ease of operation without compromising assembly security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a holder is used to attach the decorative element, then the assembly is secure, but the holder creates an unnecessarily large influence on the appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAttachment securityVSAvoidAesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The visible portion of the holder is extracted or minimized, with only necessary functional elements remaining visible. The holder parts are designed to be as inconspicuous as possible while maintaining their attachment function, thus preserving the aesthetic appearance of the decorative element while ensuring secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is designed with different local qualities: the parts in contact with the drawer body and decorative element are designed for maximum security, while the visible portions are minimized or designed to blend with the overall appearance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between attachment security and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the decorative element is firmly fixed to the drawer, then the mounting is robust, but the decorative element cannot be easily replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMounting robustnessVSAvoidReplacement simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder design incorporates dynamic characteristics that allow for easy engagement and disengagement. The holder parts are designed to provide strong holding force during normal use (robust mounting) but can be easily released when needed (simple replacement), resolving the contradiction between mounting robustness and replacement simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simple assembly and replacement of decorative elements without dismantling the drawer, maintaining a tidy appearance by isolating the decorative element and minimizing the impact on the drawer's structure, ensuring a play-free and robust mounting.

Implementation Method 1

The spring element can be designed as a helical spring or as a shaped spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2866612B1Drawer
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2866612B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2866612B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2866612B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a drawer (1) comprising a lateral wall (2), a decorative element (3) which is arranged at least partially over the lateral wall (2), a first holding element (4) for fastening the decorative element (3) to a first frontal end of the drawer (1), and a second holding element (5) for fastening the decorative element (3) to a second frontal end of the drawer (1), the first holding element having a spring element, characterised in that the decorative element (3) can be moved and pivoted into the plane of the lateral wall (2) by exerting force against the spring element, and in that the decorative element (3) can be stopped by the second holding element (5) in force- and/or form-locked manner.