Drawer Panel with Sliding Shell for Hidden Functional Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer frames lack effective mechanisms for hiding functional devices such as locking and adjusting elements, making them visible and complicating access for maintenance and adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A frame design featuring an outer and inner shell with a breakthrough or opening that allows for the displacement of the outer shell relative to the inner shell, providing access to functional devices like locking and adjusting elements, which are concealed within the frame, enabling easy actuation with tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If functional devices are arranged inside the frame, then the appearance is improved and components are hidden, but access for maintenance and adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into an outer shell and an inner shell that can move relative to each other. The outer shell can be displaced to a second position that provides access to functional devices housed within the cavity between the shells, while maintaining a clean hidden appearance when in the first position.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shell is made displaceable relative to the inner shell through a sliding mechanism. This dynamic structure allows the frame to transition between a closed aesthetic state (first position) and an accessible maintenance state (second position), resolving the contradiction between appearance and serviceability.
2Shape
If locking elements are concealed inside the frame, then the appearance is improved, but locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into locking elements mounted on the inner shell and corresponding openings in the outer shell. This allows the locking mechanism to be concealed within the frame structure while maintaining functional reliability through the engagement of these distributed locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are nested within the frame structure, with locking elements on the inner shell engaging with openings in the outer shell. This nested arrangement keeps locking components hidden while ensuring reliable locking through the interlocking geometry of the nested elements.
3Device complexity
If the outer shell is fixed relative to the inner shell, then structural simplicity is maintained, but access to functional devices is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between outer and inner shells is changed from fixed to movable through a sliding mechanism. This allows the outer shell to be displaced along the longitudinal direction to provide access to functional devices, while maintaining relatively simple structural connections through guide elements and locking mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A panel (1) for a drawer (4, 5), said panel having an outer shell (8) and an inner shell (9), wherein the outer shell (8) is guided displaceably relative to the inner shell (9) and wherein the outer shell (8) and the inner shell (9) form a cavity therebetween, the cavity having one or more functional devices, is characterised in that the outer shell (8) in a first position relative to the inner shell (9) prevents the functional device(s) from being accessed and covers same accordingly, wherein the outer shell (8) and/or inner shell (9) has an opening via which in a second position, displaced with respect to the first position in the panel longitudinal direction, the functional devices can be accessed.