Drawer Side Panel with Compensating Element for Length Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side frames for drawers face challenges in achieving exact desired length due to tolerances in molded parts, leading to gaps or increased pressure forces, especially when using different materials like thin steel sheet and plastic.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compensating element between molded parts that allows adjustable distance in the longitudinal direction, enabling precise positioning and dimensional stability perpendicular to the width, with flexible or clamping mechanisms to adjust the length, and using a honeycomb structure for high stability with minimal material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple molded parts are nested together to form the core, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to cumulative tolerances in the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
A compensating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the molded parts and the casing. This compensating element absorbs the cumulative tolerances of the nested molded parts, acting as a mediator that prevents tolerance accumulation from affecting the overall length precision of the side panel while maintaining the structural stability provided by the nested molded parts configuration
2Loss of substance
If thin-walled casing is used for the side panel, then the material usage is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving exact length
Solution Approach 1:
The side panel is segmented into distinct functional components: a thin-walled casing for material efficiency, nested molded parts for structural stability, and a compensating element for precision control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the casing can be thin-walled to reduce material usage while the compensating element ensures exact length is achieved through tolerance compensation
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for casing and molded parts, then the design flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to positioning difficulties at the ends
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element serves as an intermediary that decouples the positioning relationship between different materials. It absorbs positioning variations and tolerances that arise when joining dissimilar materials (thin-walled casing with molded parts), allowing design flexibility to be maintained while achieving precise end positioning through the compensating element's tolerance-absorbing capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures the side frame is produced in the exact desired length, providing precise positioning and stability at the ends, while reducing material usage and minimizing gaps or pressure forces, suitable for use in furniture and household appliances.
Implementation Method 1
the distance between the two molded parts in the longitudinal direction of the side frame is adjustable by stretching or compressing the compensating element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a side panel (4) for a drawer (1), having means (5) on a front side for connection to a front panel and means (9) on a rear side for connection to a rear wall (3), wherein the side panel (4) has a single-part or multi-part covering (7, 8) and a plurality of molded parts (11, 12, 13, 15, 17) inserted into each other, which form a core (10) for the covering (7, 8), wherein an equalizing element (14) is provided between at least two molded parts (12, 13), and the distance between the two molded parts (12, 13) in the longitudinal direction of the side panel (4) is adjustable by elongating or compressing the equalizing element (14). The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a side panel (4).