Drawer front coupling device and drawer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer front connecting devices are complex to manufacture, require significant force for assembly, and are not suitable for all drawer designs, especially when attaching heavy or large fronts, and they often necessitate skilled labor.
Innovation Solution
A drawer front connecting device featuring a front connector and a hanging component that can be detachably plugged together without tools, utilizing a self-retaining mechanism with ramps and support surfaces to facilitate easy assembly and secure attachment, allowing for stable support of the drawer front via its own weight without additional force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional drawer front connecting devices are used, then the drawer front can be attached to the drawer side parts, but the assembly requires significant force and skilled labor
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device incorporates a dynamic self-retaining mechanism where the drawer front's own weight is utilized to maintain the connected state. The device transitions from requiring force for assembly to using gravity for retention, eliminating the need for additional clamping forces during assembly and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is designed to be self-retaining, where the drawer front's weight automatically secures the connection without requiring external force or skilled manipulation. The mechanism serves itself by converting the drawer front's weight from a potential assembly obstacle into the retention force that maintains the connection.
2Reliability
If heavy or large drawer fronts are used, then the drawer can accommodate more items, but attaching them becomes difficult and requires skill
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device automatically utilizes the drawer front's weight to secure the connection. Heavy drawer fronts, which previously made assembly more difficult, now automatically engage the self-retaining mechanism more effectively, making assembly equally easy regardless of weight while ensuring stable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer front's weight, which previously made assembly difficult by requiring more force and skill, is converted into a beneficial retention force. The self-retaining mechanism transforms the gravitational force that complicates assembly into the primary means of securing the drawer front stably to the drawer side parts.
3Strength
If traditional connecting devices are used, then the drawer front can be attached, but the structure is complicated and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is divided into separate functional elements: the connecting element attached to the drawer side part and the hanging element attached to the drawer front. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in structure while collectively providing strong connection, reducing overall device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device uses a dynamic self-retaining mechanism rather than complex static fastening systems. This dynamic approach maintains strong connection through the interaction of the hanging element with the connecting element during drawer operation, eliminating the need for complicated multi-component fastening structures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 3a
AI summary
A drawer front connecting device for connecting a drawer front to a drawer side panel is proposed, comprising a front connector and a hook-in component. According to the invention, the front connector has an upper ramp (33) and a lower ramp, wherein the upper ramp (33) comprises an upper elongated support surface and the lower ramp a lower elongated support surface, with a hook-in contour on the front connector and with a raised section on the hook-in component, such that in a pre-assembly position the hook-in component is self-retainingly hooked onto the front connector in such a way that a lower support section (38) and the raised section bear against the hook-in contour, wherein the hook-in contour is designed such that, in the pre-assembly position, at least the raised section abuts the hook-in contour in such a way that the lower support section (38) is secured against sliding downwards along the lower ramp.