Drawer Front Attachment with Guided Slider Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment devices for attaching a panel to a furnishing element, such as a drawer front, require high spring modulus to maintain engagement, which can lead to damage during mounting and are not easily mountable in a guided straight insertion direction.

Innovation Solution

An attachment device with a pin and receiving part system that allows guided straight insertion, featuring a base plate with holes for screws, a support frame with guide means, and a movable slider with elastic means and stop mechanisms to ensure secure engagement and easy disengagement, independent of high spring forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If spring-loaded insertion devices are used to force engagement of the drawer front, then the drawer front can be attached to the drawer body, but very high spring modulus is required which can cause damage during mounting and reduce ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment forceVSAvoidease of mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving part is divided into a fixed component (support frame) and a movable component (slider). The slider can move independently along the insertion direction, allowing the engagement element to be inserted without requiring excessive force. This segmentation enables the attachment function to be achieved while reducing the spring modulus requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust during the insertion process. The elastic means provide a controlled moving force that guides the slider into position without requiring very high spring modulus, thereby preventing damage during mounting while maintaining secure engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high spring modulus is used to maintain engagement, then secure attachment is achieved, but the complexity of the device increases and damage risk during mounting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the receiving part into fixed and movable components, the system achieves secure engagement through the coordinated action of the elastic means and guide means rather than relying solely on high spring modulus. This segmentation allows for a more balanced design that maintains reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider acts as an intermediary element between the engagement element and the support frame. It mediates the engagement process by moving under the action of elastic means and being guided by guide means, thereby achieving secure attachment without requiring the entire system to be overly complex or to use very high spring modulus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If spring-loaded devices are used for attachment, then the drawer front can be engaged, but the insertion direction is not guided straight perpendicular to the drawer front, increasing damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoiddamage during mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means serve as intermediary structures that guide the movement of the slider during insertion. These guide means ensure that the engagement element is inserted in a straight direction perpendicular to the drawer front, preventing misalignment and reducing the risk of damage during the mounting process while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the slider is held in backward position by stop means, then controlled engagement is possible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop means are integrated into the support frame structure itself, allowing the slider to be automatically held in the backward position during engagement. This self-service mechanism provides controlled engagement without requiring additional external components, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates simple and quick mounting of the drawer front with reduced risk of damage, maintaining secure engagement through a guided insertion path and independent force mechanisms, enhancing structural and functional strength while allowing automatic disengagement.

Implementation Method 1

a movable slider (8), which can move between a backward position and a forward position along a direction transverse to said guided insertion path and comprises connection means for connection to said support frame, to allow said slider to move

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2374370B1Attachment device for attaching a panel to a furnishing element
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 FORMENTI & GIOVENZANA
  • EP2374370B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2374370B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2374370B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An attachment device (1) for attaching a front panel to the sides of a drawer, comprising an engagement element (2,3,4), which is designed to be fixed in a receiving part (6) along a guided insertion path; the receiving part (6) comprises a movable slider (8) having a guide slit (9) that extends internally for engaging and holding the engagement element (2,3,4) in an inner position. Advantageously, a bottom portion of the guide slit (9) defines an abutment wall (12) that counteracts a displacement of said engagement element (2,3,4) coming closer to said front side (7a) of said receiving part (6) and, at the same time, connection means (13,14) movably connect the slider (8) to the frame (7) of the receiving part (6) to counteract a displacement of the slider from the forward position to the backward position as a result of an action of the engagement element upon the abutment wall (12).