Drawer Frame Clamping for Variable-Thickness Bottom Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer designs are structurally complex and limited to specific thicknesses, requiring additional processing for different drawer base thicknesses and widths, making it difficult to install bases of varying thicknesses without additional post-processing.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates clamping means with variable clamping distances and a rolled-up web or tongues on the drawer frames that interact with the drawer bottom, allowing for easy installation of drawer bottoms of different thicknesses without additional processing, using tools to adjust the clamping mechanism for various thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mounting methods with grooves, bores, or webs are used to hold the drawer bottom, then the drawer bottom can be effectively secured to the frame, but the construction becomes structurally complex and requires additional processing of the drawer bottom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting of drawer bottomVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer frame edge is designed as a dynamic clamping mechanism that can be deformed by rolling it up using a shaping tool. This dynamic deformation allows the frame to clamp the drawer bottom securely without requiring complex static structures like grooves, bores, or webs in the drawer bottom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the drawer bottom to fit the frame (as in traditional methods), the invention inverts the approach by having the frame itself deform and adapt to clamp the drawer bottom. The frame edge is rolled up to create the clamping action, reversing who adapts to whom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If traditional mounting methods are used, then the drawer bottom can be held on the frame, but additional post-processing of the drawer base is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting of drawer bottomVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer frame performs the mounting function through its own deformable edge that clamps the drawer bottom. The frame serves itself to create the secure connection without requiring separate fasteners, adhesives, or post-processing of the drawer bottom, making the installation process simpler and more direct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If stepped profiles on drawer side walls are used to support different thicknesses, then drawer bottoms of different thicknesses can be used, but different widths of drawer bottoms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different thicknessesVSAvoidwidth constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of the frame edge from a fixed stepped profile to a dynamically deformable clamping mechanism. By rolling up the frame edge to different degrees, the clamping distance adjusts to accommodate drawer bottoms of various thicknesses, eliminating the need for fixed width constraints associated with stepped profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If fixed clamping distance designs are used, then the structure is simple, but drawer bottoms of different thicknesses cannot be installed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of different thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism is made dynamic through the rollable frame edge. The frame edge can be deformed to different extents, creating variable clamping distances that adapt to drawer bottoms of different thicknesses while maintaining overall structural simplicity without requiring multiple fixed-distance components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2596719B1Drawer
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2596719B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2596719B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2596719B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

Drawer (1) with drawer frames (2, 3) on which fastening means (6) for fastening a drawer base (4) are arranged, with a lug (37) towards the drawer center on the side walls of the drawer frames (2, 3) pointing towards the center of the drawer against the underside of which, which is perpendicular to the respective frame side wall, an upper side of the drawer bottom (4) can be pressed, the fastening means (6) being in one piece with the drawer frames (2, 3) or the connecting elements (28) and with the lug (37 ) interacting clamping means are formed with a variable clamping distance and that drawer bottoms (4) of different thicknesses can be fixed with the fastening means (6).