Arrangement for connecting a drawer side wall to another drawer wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer connection arrangements have complex designs and large overall heights, making it difficult to achieve thin, space-saving drawer side walls that meet the demand for elegant and space-efficient furniture designs.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device using a flat sheet metal bolt movably guided within the non-metallic drawer side wall, allowing for thin drawer side walls and a hidden, aesthetically pleasing design, with the bolt being linearly displaceable and accessible for detachable holding device release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional connecting devices are used in drawer side walls, then the connection function is achieved, but the drawer side wall thickness must be large to accommodate the connecting device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer side wall thicknessVSAvoidconnecting device design
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the connecting device from the traditional complex multi-component design and reduces it to a single flat sheet metal bolt. This extracted simplified connecting device can be linearly displaced within the drawer side wall to achieve connection, eliminating the need for thick drawer side walls while maintaining the connection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device is designed as a flat sheet metal bolt with thickness between 1-5mm, which is a thin film structure. This thin film connecting device can be linearly displaced within the drawer side wall and still provide adequate connection strength, enabling thin drawer side wall designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If the connecting device is placed inside the drawer side wall for aesthetic reasons, then the appearance is improved, but the detachability function may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiddetachability of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary actuating area on the underside of the flat sheet metal bolt that is accessible from outside the drawer side wall. This actuating area serves as a mediator that allows users to operate the connecting device for detachment without exposing the connecting device itself, thus maintaining both aesthetics and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single flat sheet metal bolt is used for connection, then the design is simplified and cost-effective, but the ability to compensate for assembly tolerances is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting device designVSAvoidassembly tolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the flat sheet metal bolt dynamically displaceable within the drawer side wall along a linear path. This dynamic capability allows the single connecting device to adapt to assembly tolerances and variations in drawer side wall dimensions, particularly in wooden drawers that may expand or contract with humidity changes, thereby maintaining connection reliability despite the simplified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2833757B1Arrangement for connecting a drawer side wall to another drawer wall
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 VAN HOECKE NV
  • EP2833757B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2833757B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2833757B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Arrangement (8) for connecting a drawer side wall (2, 3, 4) made at least partially of a non-metal material, particularly wood, to another drawer wall (5, 6, 7), wherein the arrangement (8) comprises a connecting device (15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 26, 27) arranged in the drawer side wall (2, 3, 4), for detachable connection to a retaining device (9, 10, 12, 13, 14) preinstalled on the other drawer wall (5, 6, 7), the connecting device (15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 26, 27) comprising at least one bar (15, 16, 17) that is movably guided, preferably exclusively, by the non-metallic material of the drawer side wall (2, 3, 4) and that holds the retaining device (9, 10, 12, 13, 14) in the installation position.