Container, preferably drawer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs require complex screw connections, which involve preliminary processing steps, high dimensional tolerances, and can lead to stress, distortion, and reduced visual appeal due to gaps between components.
Innovation Solution
The use of nailed connections instead of screw connections, allowing for a faster and simpler manufacturing process without preliminary processing steps, and providing a compressive force that compensates for component tolerances, resulting in a firm and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screw connections are used to connect the container base to the container rail and the container rear wall to the rear wall holder, then the connection provides tensile force and can be adjusted, but the manufacturing process requires preliminary processing steps (core drilling, thread cutting), has high demands on dimensional tolerances, and may cause stress and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw connection system (requiring threading and precise torque control) with a nailed connection system. The nail is inserted through the container base into the container rail, creating a direct mechanical interlock without requiring preliminary thread cutting or precise dimensional tolerances. This substitution eliminates the need for core drilling and thread cutting while reducing stress and distortion risks.
2Strength
If high tightening torque is applied to screw connections to ensure stability, then the connection strength increases, but the container may be damaged or its lifetime reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying tensile force through screw tightening (which risks over-torquing and damage), the patent inverts the force mechanism by using compression through the nail connection. The nail creates a compressive force that pushes the container base against the container rail, ensuring firm connection without the risk of over-tightening damage. This inverted approach maintains connection strength while preserving container lifetime.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If insufficient tightening torque is applied to screw connections, then the container avoids damage, but there is a risk of component parts becoming loose during use
Solution Approach 1:
The nail connection is inserted in a single action that simultaneously creates the mechanical interlock and applies the necessary compressive force. This preliminary action ensures that the container base is firmly pressed against the container rail from the outset, eliminating the risk of loosening during use without requiring iterative torque adjustments. The connection is established once with sufficient force to prevent future loosening.
4Reliability
If screw connections are used to ensure sufficient stability and strength of the container, then a large number of connection points are required, but this increases installation space requirements and reduces design compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single nail connection. The nail simultaneously provides mechanical interlock, compressive force, and positional alignment between the container base and container rail. This merging of functions reduces the number of connection points required while maintaining container stability, thereby reducing installation space requirements and improving design compactness.
5Ease of manufacture
If screw connections are used, then installation space is required for nuts, screw heads, and other components, but this increases the risk of collisions with other components and reduces design compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protruding components (screw heads, nuts, washers) from the connection system and replaces them with a flush-mounted nail connection. The nail is inserted through the container base and sits flush with or slightly recessed in the surface, eliminating the need for additional installation space. This extraction of protruding elements reduces the risk of collisions with other components while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A container, preferably a drawer, includes a container base, a container rear wall, and at least one container side wall in the form of a side panel. The side panel includes at least one sheet profile made substantially of metal or plastic with a rear-wall holder made substantially of metal or plastic arranged at least partially within the at least one sheet profile. The container base is connected to the at least one sheet profile, and/or the container rear wall is connected to the rear-wall holder at at least one connection point by at least one nailed connection via a nail.