Drawer Front Fastening with Spring Retraction and Secure Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for attaching a front panel to a drawer lack efficient automatic retraction and secure locking mechanisms, leading to increased assembly time and potential unintentional release.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device featuring a spring-loaded catching element with an adjusting contour and body, allowing automatic retraction and secure locking of the furniture fitting without operator intervention, utilizing a pivoting lever and pressure roller for force transfer and a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a spring-loaded catching element with adjusting contour and body is used, then automatic retraction and locking is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic retraction and lockingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catching element is designed to perform automatic retraction and locking without external intervention. The spring-loaded mechanism self-actuates when the furniture fitting is inserted, and the adjusting body automatically engages with the adjusting contour to lock the element in place, eliminating the need for manual operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The catching element transitions from a static component to a dynamic system with multiple movable parts including the adjusting body that can move along the adjusting contour. This dynamic design enables the element to adapt its position and automatically lock, achieving automation while managing complexity through functional movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintentional release, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the existing adjusting body and adjusting contour mechanism. The same components that enable automatic retraction also provide the locking function through their geometric interaction, eliminating the need for separate locking elements and maintaining simplicity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If quick assembly is achieved through automatic retraction, then productivity improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of manual control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidmanual control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic retraction mechanism performs the assembly action without requiring manual manipulation, significantly speeding up assembly. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the spring-loaded retraction and locking sequence, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust or secure the catching element

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

Enables quick and secure automatic retraction and locking of the furniture fitting, reducing assembly time and ensuring secure attachment while allowing for easy intentional release and ejection.

Implementation Method 1

a retraction device which pulls the furniture fitting towards the drawer side wall in a spring-loaded manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2713820B1Fastening device for mounting a front cover on a drawer
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2713820B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2713820B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2713820B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Disclosed is a fastening device (1) for releasably mounting a front cover (101) on a drawer (102), in particular on a side wall (100) of the drawer, comprising: - at least one furniture fitting (2) that is pre-assembled on the front cover (101); - a catching mechanism (10) that is associated with the drawer (102) and includes a movable catching element (11) which accommodates the furniture fitting (2) when the furniture fitting (2) is inserted; and - a pulling mechanism (30) that pulls the furniture fitting (2) towards the drawer (102) under the effect of a spring. The disclosed fastening device (1) is characterized in that a positioning contour (12) and a movable positioning member (4) are provided to move the catching element (11), the positioning member (4) and the positioning contour (12) at least temporarily resting against each other under the effect of a spring (32).