Drawer Rear Wall Clamping With a Metal Decorative Strip

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer designs with rear walls are complex to assemble and can be unstable if insufficient stiffening devices are used, lacking a simple and visually appealing solution.

Innovation Solution

A drawer design featuring a metallic decorative strip clamped to the side walls using a pressure element, such as a pressure plate, which eliminates the need for bores or profiles, allowing for easy assembly and a visually appealing appearance while providing stability through reinforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a sheet metal rear wall is used with multiple stiffening devices, then stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverear wall stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stiffening function and the assembly function into a single integrated rear wall bracket design. The bracket includes built-in stiffening elements that are formed as part of the single component, eliminating the need for separate stiffening devices. This merging reduces the number of parts from multiple components to a single bracket assembly, simplifying installation while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a metallic decorative strip is fixed using traditional methods with bores or profiles, then assembly is simplified, but visual appearance deteriorates due to visible fastening elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a decorative cover element that acts as an intermediary between the functional fastening system and the visible surface. This cover element conceals the fastening elements (screws, clips, or adhesive applications) from view while allowing the metallic decorative strip to maintain its aesthetic appearance. The cover can be integrated with the bracket or applied as a separate decorative layer that matches the design aesthetic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the metallic decorative strip is made thinner for aesthetic purposes, then visual appeal improves, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite construction where the thin metallic decorative strip is combined with a supportive substrate or mounting system. The bracket structure provides mechanical support and reinforcement to the thin decorative strip, compensating for its reduced thickness. This composite approach allows the decorative strip to achieve the desired thin profile for aesthetic purposes while the underlying support structure ensures adequate structural strength and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3288419B1Drawer
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3288419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3288419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3288419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drawer (1), in particular for furniture, comprising a rear wall (2), which is fixed in place on at least opposite sides on a respective side wall (3, 4), wherein the rear wall (2) h a metal decorative strip (20) facing the inner space, which is fixed in place by at least one press-on element (21) on the side wall (3, 4) in a clamping manner. In this way, an optically attractive rear wall can be mounted using simple means.