U-Shaped Drawer Panel Support With Formed Thread Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel supports for drawers are material-intensive and expensive due to their solid configuration and require additional manufacturing steps for thread cutting, which complicates the production process.
Innovation Solution
A panel support made from a U-shaped sheet metal element with a single-start thread formed in one leg, allowing for simplified production through stamping and bending, eliminating the need for thread cutting and using sheet metal instead of solid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If panel supports are made from solid die-cast or injection-molded material, then strength and stability are improved, but material consumption increases and manufacturing complexity increases due to thread cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a U-shaped sheet metal element instead of solid die-cast or injection-molded material. The sheet metal element provides sufficient strength and stability while consuming significantly less material. The thin metal walls of the U-shaped structure replace the massive solid configuration, achieving the desired mechanical properties with minimal material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material form from solid to thin-walled sheet metal structure. This parameter change allows the panel support to maintain structural integrity while reducing material consumption. The U-shaped configuration of the sheet metal element provides the necessary strength through geometric design rather than material volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If threads are cut in solid panel supports, then adjustability is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by pre-forming the thread structure as an integral part of the U-shaped sheet metal element during the stamping or bending process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent thread cutting operations, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the thread formation with the main body of the panel support by integrating it into the U-shaped sheet metal element. This combination eliminates separate manufacturing steps for thread creation, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and production time while preserving the adjustability feature.
3Stability of the object's composition
If panel supports are made from solid material, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a U-shaped sheet metal element that provides sufficient structural integrity through its geometric configuration rather than material volume. The thin-walled structure maintains stability while enabling faster, more efficient production through simpler manufacturing processes such as stamping and bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the panel support into a U-shaped configuration with distinct base and leg portions. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing where each portion can be formed efficiently through stamping or bending operations, improving production efficiency while maintaining overall structural integrity.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple manufacturing steps are used for sheet metal panel supports including thread cutting, then thread precision is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the thread structure during the initial stamping or bending process of the U-shaped sheet metal element. This pre-formation approach achieves the necessary thread precision while eliminating subsequent thread cutting operations, thereby reducing manufacturing process complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the U-shaped sheet metal element multi-functional by integrating the thread structure directly into the body. This single component performs both the structural support function and the threading function, eliminating the need for separate thread cutting operations and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel support (10) for a fascia panel (1) of a drawer comprising fastening means for fastening to the fascia panel (1) and a connecting element to a side frame (5) of the drawer, and an adjusting screw (16) guided in at least one thread (131) for adjusting a position of the fascia panel. The panel support is characterised by a U-shaped sheet-metal element (11) wherein, in a base (12) of the U-shaped sheet-metal element (11), the fastening means are arranged for the fascia panel (1) and in at least one leg (13, 14) of the U-shaped sheet-metal element (11), the thread (131) is configured for the adjusting screw. The invention further relates to a drawer comprising side frames (5) and a fascia panel (12), which is mounted via such panel supports (10) to the side frames (5).