Drawer Wall Corner Clip for Tool-Free Right-Angle Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer wall assembly methods require complex components and tools for connection and disconnection, making manual assembly and disassembly of drawer wall parts at right angles difficult and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device featuring a receiving part with a receiving opening and a U-shaped clip with parallel legs, allowing for secure connection of drawer wall parts without tools, using injection-molded plastic components for ease of production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex components and tools are used for connection, then connection strength and reliability are improved, but ease of operation and assembly simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is divided into separate functional components: a receiving part with receiving opening and insertion opening, and a clamp with two legs. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of assembly without requiring complex integrated mechanisms or additional tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual assembly without tools is enabled, then ease of operation is improved, but connection strength and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool-free assemblyVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp features curved legs with specific geometric profiles that enable manual insertion while providing reliable mechanical interlocking. The receiving opening and insertion opening are shaped to guide the clamp legs into proper position, ensuring secure connection through geometry rather than requiring complex fastening mechanisms or tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device is designed to assemble itself through the interaction of its geometric features. The clamp legs automatically position themselves within the receiving part and drawer wall part through the shaped openings, creating a secure connection without external intervention or tools while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If simple injection-molded plastic components are used, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but device complexity and connection reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection-molded plastic components incorporate optimized geometric parameters including wall thicknesses, opening dimensions, and leg profiles that are specifically designed to achieve reliable mechanical connections. These parameter optimizations ensure that despite the simplicity of the manufacturing process, the resulting components maintain sufficient connection strength and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2768342B1Arrangement with a connecting apparatus for connecting two drawer wall parts which are arranged at a right angle
Publication Date: 2015.07.22 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2768342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2768342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2768342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Connecting apparatus (15) for connecting two drawer wall parts (12, 11) which are intended to be arranged at a right angle, comprising: - at least one receiving part (16) which has a receiving opening (20) for receiving an end section of the first drawer wall part (12) and has at least one insertion opening (22), - a bracket (17) which has at least two limbs (24, 25) which run substantially parallel, wherein the bracket (17) can be pushed onto a web (21), which is arranged or formed on the second drawer wall part (11), in order to connect the two drawer wall parts (12, 11), and wherein the two limbs (24, 25) of the bracket (17) surround the web (21) of the second drawer wall part (11), wherein a first limb (24) of the bracket (17) can be inserted into the insertion opening (22) in the receiving part (16) and connects the receiving part (16) to the second drawer wall part (11) in a positionally secure manner.