Drawer Side Frame with Segmented Molded Core for Flexible Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer frame production methods, such as extrusion and double-walled designs, face challenges in flexibility and ease of assembly, particularly in attaching side frames to front and rear panels, and are limited by uniform cross-sections, making them difficult to customize and stabilize.
Innovation Solution
A drawer design featuring thin-walled side frames supported by an inner core composed of multiple molded parts that can be assembled in a form-fitting manner, allowing for flexible shaping and stable fixation of panels, with optional reinforcement and adjustable fastening mechanisms, enabling a more versatile and aesthetically appealing construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If extrusion process is used to produce side frames, then production efficiency is improved, but flexibility in shaping and customization is limited due to uniform cross-section requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame is divided into multiple separate molded parts (first molded part, second molded part, third molded part) that are assembled together. This segmentation allows each part to be independently shaped and customized while maintaining efficient production through modular manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between productivity and shaping flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If thin-walled covering is used for side frames, then material usage and weight are reduced, but structural stability and noise resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame combines a thin-walled metal covering with a plastic molded part core to create a composite structure. The metal sheets provide aesthetic finish and protection while the plastic molded parts provide structural rigidity and noise damping. This composite approach allows thin walls to maintain both material efficiency and structural stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple molded parts are assembled in form-fitting manner, then flexibility in construction and customization is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame is segmented into multiple molded parts that can be independently manufactured and customized. This segmentation enables flexible construction and adaptation to different drawer configurations while maintaining standardized connection interfaces that simplify the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements serve as intermediaries between the molded parts, facilitating easy assembly. These intermediaries provide standardized interfaces that reduce assembly complexity while allowing flexibility in the overall construction and customization of the side frame.
4Ease of manufacture
If side frames are made with traditional single-piece construction, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of assembly and customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame construction is segmented into multiple molded parts that can be manufactured using simple injection molding processes. Each part can be produced independently with standard manufacturing techniques, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling easy assembly through modular design and standardized connections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a drawer (1) comprising two side panels (10), a bottom (2), a back wall (3) and a front panel, wherein at least one side panel (10) has a thin-walled case (11, 12), which is supported by an inner core (20), wherein the inner core (20) has at least two shaped parts (21, 24, 30), which are interlockingly held against each other. Thus, the side panel (10) can be flexibly produced and can be particularly filigree.