Drawer Fixing Device with Adjustable Stop for Precise Depth Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer fixing mechanisms in furniture require complex alignment and limited holding forces, especially for heavy drawers, and lack precise positioning options.

Innovation Solution

A clamping mechanism with a receptacle and adjustable stop for depth adjustment, combined with a self-locking clamping lever for stable fixation, allows for stepless adjustment and high clamping forces, ensuring the drawer is securely positioned without requiring multiple assembly steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic locking element and base part are used for the fixing device, then the device can be manufactured simply, but the holding forces are limited especially for heavy drawers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite construction where the base part is made of plastic (easy to manufacture) but the locking element is made of metal (high strength). This combination allows the fixing device to maintain both manufacturing simplicity and high holding forces for heavy drawers at maximum pull-out position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire coupling part is adjusted for drawer alignment, then positioning flexibility is achieved, but several assembly steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidassembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is segmented into two independent adjustment functions: lateral adjustment of the entire fixing device and depth adjustment of the locking element relative to the base part. This segmentation allows drawer alignment in both directions without requiring complex multi-step assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If latching occurs in several stages by means of spaced latching elements, then the coupling can be secured, but precise positioning of the drawer is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelatching securityVSAvoiddrawer positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element can be positioned continuously along the longitudinal axis of the base part, enabling stepless adjustment. This dynamic positioning capability provides both secure latching and precise drawer positioning for achieving attractive joint patterns, eliminating the limitations of fixed spaced latching elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If a friction-locked connection with a clamping lever is used, then the holding part can be securely fixed, but the clamping lever must be designed to withstand high forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidclamping lever strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping lever is designed as a self-locking mechanism where the friction force between the locking element and base part automatically maintains the clamped position. The lever arm geometry provides mechanical advantage, allowing the clamping lever to generate high clamping forces through user-applied torque without requiring the lever itself to be overly robust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 and precise alignment of drawers with enhanced holding forces, ensuring stability even at maximum open positions, and reduces assembly complexity by allowing for easy depth and lateral adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

a self-locking clamping lever, by means of which the holding part is frictionally secured against being pulled out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a knurled nut rotatably mounted on a threaded bolt, a thread or an eccentric as drive means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3291704B1Furniture and method for fixing a drawer
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3291704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291704B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for fixing a push element, in particular a drawer box (4) to a rail (5) of a pull-out guide (3), said device comprising a clamping mechanism with a receptacle (20) for a holding part (12) and a device for depth adjustment for the drawer box (4), wherein the device (11) for depth adjustment comprises a stop (100) that can be adjusted either on or in the receptacle (20). As a result, a precise orientation of the drawer box (4) to a pull-out guide (3) can be achieved using simple means.