Drawer front adjustment device and drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer front connection devices are difficult to adjust accurately in height and side alignment, requiring skill and high forces, and lack precise adjustment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A drawer front adjusting device featuring a housing, a rotatable actuator with friction surfaces that provide haptic and audible feedback during rotation, allowing for precise adjustments of the drawer front relative to the drawer side parts in both height and side directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a drawer front connecting device is used to attach the drawer front to the drawer sides, then the drawer front can be connected to the drawer sides, but precise height and side adjustment of the drawer front is difficult and requires skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the drawer front to be dynamically repositioned in height and side alignment. The adjustment mechanism includes movable connection points and调节able fastening elements that enable precise positioning while maintaining ease of operation through simple adjustment actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows changing of adjustment parameters such as height position and lateral alignment through a systematic adjustment mechanism. By providing discrete adjustment positions and a range of motion, the device transforms the adjustment process from a skill-dependent task to a parameter-controlled operation that achieves precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the drawer front is heavy or large, then the connecting device must withstand high forces, but attaching the drawer front becomes more difficult and requires skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting force capacityVSAvoidattachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is divided into multiple functional components including separate fastening elements, adjustment mechanisms, and mounting parts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - some parts handle high forces while others provide ease of adjustment - and enables step-by-step attachment that reduces operational difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces intermediary adjustment mechanisms and intermediate connection elements that mediate between the heavy drawer front and the drawer sides. These intermediaries distribute forces, provide mechanical advantage for easier attachment, and enable precise positioning without requiring excessive skill or force from the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If existing drawer front connecting devices are used, then the drawer front can be attached to the drawer sides, but precise height and side adjustment is only conditionally suitable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is designed with multi-functional capabilities that provide both precise adjustment and wide adaptability. The mechanism can accommodate various drawer front sizes and weights while maintaining precise height and side alignment, making it universally applicable to different furniture configurations and adjustment requirements.

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

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 accurate adjustment of the drawer front with incremental changes of 0.2 to 0.8 millimeters, ensuring uniform gaps between adjacent drawer fronts and edges, improving installation efficiency and alignment.

Implementation Method 1

a friction structure with friction surfaces on the adjusting element and/or on a corresponding section on the housing is designed such that that, as the rotary movement of the actuator progresses, at least two friction surfaces can be brought into contact with each other and then separated again, so that friction effects from the contacting friction surfaces change, in particular appear and disappear again, thus providing haptic and/or audible feedback to the operator of the actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3666123B1Drawer front adjustment device and drawer
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3666123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3666123B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3666123B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A drawer front adjustment device (9) is proposed for adjusting a drawer front (15) relative to a drawer side panel (17, 18). According to the invention, a housing, a front connector, and a rotatable adjusting element are provided. A friction structure (80) with friction surfaces (81) on the actuating element (24, 113, 117, 123) and/or on a counterpart section on the housing (20) is designed such that, with progressive rotation of the actuating element (24, 113, 117, 123), at least two friction surfaces (81) can be brought into contact with each other and separated from each other again, so that friction effects due to adjacent friction surfaces (81) change, in particular appear and disappear again, whereby, due to the changing friction effects during the rotation of the actuating element (24, 113, 117, 123), haptic and/or audible feedback is provided to an operator who operates the actuating element (24, 113, 117, 123).