Drawer front connecting device and drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer front connecting devices are complex to manufacture, require large installation spaces, and are difficult to assemble, especially for heavy or large drawer fronts, and do not offer economically viable solutions for all drawer designs.

Innovation Solution

A drawer front connecting device featuring a front connector that can be recessed into the drawer side part, with a hanging component that includes parallel connector plates forming ramps for easy assembly and secure attachment, allowing for a stable and space-efficient connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional drawer front connecting device is used, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is divided into two separate components: a front connector attached to the drawer side part and a hanging component attached to the drawer front. This segmentation simplifies each individual component's structure while maintaining the overall connection strength through their interaction via ramps and support sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front connector is designed to be accommodated at least partially recessed in the drawer side part, creating a nested structure where the connector fits into the hollow chamber frame. This nesting approach reduces the protruding dimensions and integrates the connecting device more smoothly into the drawer structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional drawer front connecting device is used, then the connection is stable, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The front connector is accommodated recessed in the drawer side part's hollow chamber frame, utilizing the existing space rather than adding external bulk. This nesting design maintains connection stability while minimizing the installation space footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector and hanging component interact primarily in the depth direction (front-to-back) rather than requiring lateral space. The ramps and support sections engage in the depth dimension, allowing stable connection without increasing the drawer's width or height dimensions.

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

3Force

If a traditional drawer front connecting device is used, then the connection can handle heavy fronts, but the assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce absorption capacityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ramps on the front connector and corresponding support sections on the hanging component are designed with curved or inclined surfaces that guide the assembly process. When the drawer front is lifted, gravity causes the support sections to automatically slide along the ramps into the locked position, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and simplifying assembly while maintaining force absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple connecting device is used, then the manufacturing is economical, but the structural reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstructural reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the connecting device into separate front connector and hanging component parts allows each to be manufactured using simple, economical processes (such as stamping or bending sheet metal) while their combined interaction provides reliable structural performance for handling heavy drawer fronts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3666121B1Drawer front connecting device and drawer
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3666121B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3666121B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3666121B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A drawer front connecting device (9) for connecting a drawer front (15) to a drawer side panel (17, 18) is proposed, comprising a front connector (22) and a mounting component (25). According to the invention, the front connector (22) has at least two connector plates, wherein the front connector (22) has an upper ramp and a lower ramp, the upper ramp (33) comprising an upper narrow side of a first connector plate and an upper narrow side of a second connector plate, and the lower ramp comprising a lower narrow side of the first connector plate and a lower narrow side of the second connector plate.wherein, for the purpose of fixing the hanging component (25) to the front connector (22), the two upper narrow sides of the upper ramp provide a two-track support surface for an upper support section on the hanging component (25), and the two lower narrow sides of the lower ramp provide a two-track support surface for a lower support section on the hanging component (25), so that when the drawer front (15) is connected to the drawer side panel (18), a displacement of the upper support section and the lower support section takes place along the respective ramp.