Drawer for wall mounted storage system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wall-mounted shelving and storage systems lack flexibility in configuration and aesthetics, as they often result in a disjointed appearance due to varying depths and spacings of drawers and shelves, which can lead to inefficiencies in space utilization and visual uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a drawer frame assembly with adjustable front brackets and shallow brackets allows for customizable configurations, enabling uniform front surfaces and closer spacing of drawers and shelves, accommodating containers of different depths while maintaining a continuous appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cantilevered brackets are used to support shelves and containers, then the basic storage function is achieved, but the system lacks flexibility in configuration and results in a disjointed appearance with varying depths and spacings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidvisual uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket depth is made adjustable through a telescoping mechanism with adjustable stops, allowing the front surface of the bracket to be positioned at different depths while maintaining a uniform appearance. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different container depths while preserving visual uniformity across the storage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the depth parameter of the bracket by providing adjustable stops at different positions along the telescoping mechanism. This allows the bracket to be configured with different effective depths to match various container sizes, thereby achieving configuration flexibility without sacrificing visual uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If containers of different depths are accommodated, then versatility is improved, but the spacing and appearance uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer depth accommodationVSAvoidfront surface uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable stop mechanism allows the bracket's front surface to be dynamically repositioned to different depths, enabling the system to accommodate containers of varying depths while maintaining a uniform front surface appearance across all brackets in the storage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single bracket design with adjustable stops serves multiple functions: it can accommodate different container depths, maintain uniform appearance, and provide consistent support. This multi-functional capability allows one bracket type to universally support various container configurations.

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

3Volume of moving object

If drawer assemblies are positioned closer to shelves, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of overfilling and additional stress on the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidsystem stress from overfilling
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable bracket acts as an intermediary element between the shelf and the drawer assembly, allowing for optimized spacing. By adjusting the bracket depth, the system can minimize the gap between shelf and drawer (improving space utilization) while still providing adequate clearance to prevent overfilling and reduce stress on the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3599937B1Drawer for wall mounted storage system
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 ELFA INTERNATIONAL
  • EP3599937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599937B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In a wall-mounted storage system comprising standard components, from which to assemble and install, and improved drawer. The drawer has a drawer frame with two side rails, a back, and a front, metal bracket extending between and connecting each of the two side rails, defining an opening into which an open topped container may be inserted and supported by the frame. The drawer has a drawer front having a finished outer-facing surface and an inside surface for attaching to the metal bracket, the inside surface having formed thereon a recess extending from a top edge of the drawer front to at least the top edge of the metal bracket.