Drawer Frame Tilt Adjustment With Side-Access Actuating Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer frame adjustment devices are difficult to access, especially when adjusting the inclination of front panels in closely stacked drawers, as the adjustment screws are often located in hard-to-reach areas, making the adjustment process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The drawer frame incorporates a U-profile with a rear wall holder that houses the adjustment device, featuring a rotatable actuating element with a recess for tool access and a spiral worm for self-locking height adjustment, allowing the support foot to rest on the drawer pull-out guide and move linearly, facilitating easy and accessible inclination adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the adjustment screw is located in the conventional position (only accessible from above), then the adjustment mechanism is simple, but the accessibility becomes difficult especially in closely stacked drawers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of adjustment screwVSAvoidadjustment device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is repositioned from a vertically accessible location to a horizontally accessible location on the lateral inner surface of the drawer frame. This dimensional shift allows access from the drawer interior rather than from above, solving the accessibility problem in closely stacked drawers without significantly increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element serves as an intermediary interface between the user and the adjustment mechanism. It translates user input (manual operation) into the rotational movement needed to adjust the support foot position, making the adjustment process accessible and user-friendly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the support foot is firmly connected to the drawer pull-out guide, then the stability is high, but the adjustability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of drawer frameVSAvoidadjustability of drawer frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the support foot and drawer pull-out guide is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than statically fixed. The adjustable connection allows the drawer frame to be firmly stabilized when positioned, while still permitting repositioning when adjustment is needed, thus achieving both stability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the support foot on the drawer pull-out guide can be changed by adjusting its vertical position. This parameter change allows the system to transition between different stability states and adaptability states, enabling both firm connection and adjustability as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enhances accessibility and stability of the adjustment mechanism, allowing for easy tool-free operation and improved support, ensuring that the drawer frame can be adjusted with greater ease and precision, even in crowded drawer configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a spiral worm for self-locking height adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a spiral worm for self-locking height adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-locking: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP2699123B1Drawer frame having a tilt adjustment
Publication Date: 2015.05.06 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2699123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2699123B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2699123B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a drawer frame (1), comprising an adjusting device (2) for raising and lowering the drawer frame (1) relative to a drawer pull-out guide (3), wherein the adjusting device (3), which is arranged substantially inside the drawer frame (1), has an actuating element (4), which is accessible from the drawer interior (R), in the region of a lateral inner surface (F) of the drawer frame (1) facing the drawer interior (R).