Drawer Hollow Frame With Interchangeable Decorative Side Panels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Hollow chamber frames for drawers have limited customization options and are primarily used for accommodating pull-out guides, lacking versatility in design and individualization.

Innovation Solution

A decorative element is applied to the outer surface of the frame body, which can cover a significant portion of the frame's surface, providing a separate design that can be made from various materials and attached using different methods, allowing for customizable and interchangeable designs without altering the frame's three-dimensional shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hollow chamber frame is used for drawer with a cavity for receiving a drawer slide system, then the frame provides structural support and functionality, but the design and individualization options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign customizationVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame surface is segmented into a base body and separate decorative elements that can be independently selected and attached. This allows the functional frame structure to remain simple while the decorative components provide extensive customization options without increasing the complexity of the core frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system serves multiple functions: it secures the decorative element to the frame, allows for easy replacement of decorative elements, and provides a standardized interface for customization. This multi-functional attachment mechanism enables both structural integrity and design versatility.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If decorative elements are applied to the frame body surface, then aesthetic appeal and individualization are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic customizationVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative elements are manufactured separately from the frame body as independent components. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using optimized processes for its specific requirements, then assembled together, rather than requiring complex integrated manufacturing of the entire frame with embedded decorations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Decorative elements are pre-manufactured and prepared in advance as separate components with standardized attachment interfaces. This preliminary preparation of decorative elements allows for efficient assembly during frame production, reducing the complexity of the overall manufacturing process while maintaining high aesthetic customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate decorative elements are used instead of integrated frame design, then design flexibility and interchangeability are improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign interchangeabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate various decorative elements on different frame configurations. This standardized attachment mechanism reduces the need for multiple specialized components, as the same attachment system serves multiple decorative elements across different applications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the frame appearance by allowing decorative elements to be easily attached, detached, and replaced. This dynamic capability provides high design interchangeability without requiring a permanently complex multi-component structure, as the complexity is managed through modular, reconfigurable assembly rather than fixed integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2952120B1Hollow cavity frame for a drawer with a frame body, drawer having a hollow cavity frame and piece of furniture with such a drawer
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 GRASS GMBH
  • EP2952120B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A hollow chamber frame (5) for a drawer with a frame body (6) which has a cavity for receiving a drawer slide system is proposed. According to the invention, a decorative element (9) covering part of the surface of the frame body (6) is arranged on an outside of the frame body (6) and is designed as a separate decorative element (9) from the remaining surface of the frame body.