Drawer with a device for fixing a front panel in a detachable manner and method for assembling and disassembling a front panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching a front panel to a drawer side frame are complex and do not allow for easy and reliable removal, often resulting in incorrect operations.

Innovation Solution

A drawer device featuring a latch pretensioned by an energy accumulator that engages with a holder supported by a counter bearing, allowing the front panel to be moved transversely and then removed in the opposite direction after unlocking, with a clamping mechanism for stable locking and tolerance compensation, and an unlocking element accessible from the underside for a visually appealing design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a common unlocking mechanism is used for multiple safety gears, then all safety gears can be unlocked simultaneously, but the transmission mechanism becomes comparatively complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon unlockingVSAvoidtransmission mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer front assembly is divided into multiple independent drawer fronts, each with its own locking mechanism. Each drawer front can be locked and unlocked independently through its own handle, eliminating the need for complex transmission mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation for each individual drawer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the front panel is pushed into a mechanism on the side frame, then the front panel can be securely attached, but the removal process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidremoval process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed so that when the drawer front is pushed onto the side frame, the locking elements automatically engage in advance. The cam-shaped locking elements rotate automatically during the pushing motion, ensuring secure attachment before the drawer front is fully installed, while allowing simple removal by pulling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple holders with multiple latches are used to lock the front panel, then stable locking is achieved, but each holder requires individual decoupling for unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidunlocking process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cam-shaped locking elements are combined into a single integrated mechanism controlled by one handle. When the handle is rotated, all locking elements are actuated simultaneously through the connection element, providing stable locking for multiple drawer fronts while allowing unified unlocking through a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the unlocking element is accessible from the front, then easy operation is achieved, but the design becomes visually less appealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking accessibilityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is positioned on the side of the drawer front, serving as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. This side-mounted position provides easy accessibility for operation while being less visually prominent than a front-mounted handle, thus maintaining a cleaner aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reliable and simple attachment and removal of the front panel, preventing incorrect operations while ensuring stable locking and easy disassembly, suitable for high front panels with minimal visible components.

Implementation Method 1

a latch (15) which is pretensioned by an energy accumulator (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy accumulator: Accumulator (energy)

Data Source

PatentEP3389446B1Drawer with a device for fixing a front panel in a detachable manner and method for assembling and disassembling a front panel
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3389446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3389446B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3389446B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for fixing a front panel (4) to a side frame (5) of a drawer (3) in a detachable manner, comprising at least one holder (8) which can be fixed to the front panel (4) and a locking mechanism associated with the side frame (5), which mechanism has at least one bolt (10) that is pre-stressed by an energy accumulator (12), which can be engaged with the holder (8) that can be inserted in a direction of assembly for locking, wherein the holder (8) is supported by a counter bearing (20), wherein the counter bearing (20) can be moved into an unlocking position, and the holder (8) can be moved with the front panel (4) in a direction which is different to the direction of assembly for an unlocking process. In addition, the invention relates to a drawer comprising a device of this type and a method for assembling and disassembling a front panel.