Drawer Container Rail Structure for Wider Stable Bottom Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawer container designs often result in a reduced clear width due to an annoying abutting edge and risk of base plate collapse, especially when heavily loaded, as the side edge of the base plate is framed by a U-profile and lacks sufficient support during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The container rail is designed with a lower horizontal leg resting on the underside of the base plate and an upper horizontal leg and web that fit into a recess in the base plate, allowing the base plate to be brought closer to the pull-out rail without compromising stability, and optionally includes a Z-shaped or S-shaped section with a vertical profile and support leg to prevent edge lifting and liquid penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the side edge of the base plate is framed by a U-profile of the side frame, then the base plate is enclosed and protected, but the clear width of the drawer container is reduced and an annoying abutting edge is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase plate stabilityVSAvoidclear width of drawer container
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the conventional U-profile side frame that enclosed the base plate. Instead, the container rail itself provides the necessary support and positioning functions, eliminating the need for the separate U-profile enclosure and thereby increasing the clear width of the drawer container while maintaining base plate stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The container rail is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the base plate laterally, positions it correctly during assembly, and eliminates the need for separate side framing. This multi-functional design replaces the U-profile's enclosure function while adding positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If the base plate is made thinner to bring the surface closer to the upper edge of the pull-out rail, then the usable width increases, but the stability of the base plate suffers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable width of drawerVSAvoidbase plate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container rail acts as an intermediary element that provides lateral support to the thinned base plate. During assembly, the lower horizontal leg of the container rail rests on the underside of the base plate, preventing it from collapsing despite the reduced thickness, thereby enabling both thinness and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The container rail is pre-assembled on the drawer container before final installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the base plate is correctly located and supported during the assembly process, preventing collapse before the drawer is fully installed and loaded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If screws or fastening claws are pressed into the drawer bottom during assembly, then the drawer rail can be mounted, but the drawer bottom may lift off due to lack of abutment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer rail mountingVSAvoiddrawer bottom positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container rail is pre-assembled on the drawer container before final installation. This preliminary positioning creates a stable structure that prevents the drawer bottom from lifting off during the subsequent screwing or fastening process, as the container rail provides immediate lateral support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The container rail provides beforehand support to the base plate during assembly, cushioning against the lifting forces that occur when screws or fastening claws are pressed into the drawer bottom. This prevents damage or misalignment before the final fastening occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2531066B1Drawer container
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2531066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2531066B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2531066B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a drawer container (3) for a piece of furniture (1), comprising a bottom plate (3a) and at least one container rail (8) fixed in or to the bottom rail, by which means the drawer container (3) is connected, or can be connected, to a mobile rail (7) of drawer pull-out guidance system (4), for pull-out positioning in relation to a piece of furniture (2). The container rail (8) has a section with an essentially Z-shaped cross-section (8a, 8b, 8c) or an essentially S-shaped cross-section (8a, 8b, 8c), arranged on the lower side of the bottom plate (3a) and having a lower horizontal limb (8a) and an upper horizontal limb (8b), the lower horizontal limb (8a) and the upper horizontal limb (8b) being interconnected by a piece (8c) that is preferably essentially vertical or bent. The lower horizontal limb (8a) is designed to be arranged or fixed to the lower side of the bottom plate (3a). The upper horizontal limb (8b) and the piece (8c) are designed to be placed or fixed in or to a recess (15) arranged in the bottom plate (3a).