Drawer wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer designs face challenges in providing concealed and flexible electrical connections between components like consumers, power sources, and controllers, making it difficult to achieve visually appealing and functional integration of electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A drawer wall with an inner core and outer thin-walled covering featuring channel-shaped receptacles for electrical conductors and contact points, allowing for flexible assembly and integration of electrical components without manual wiring, using stamped and bent parts or multi-component injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual wiring is used to establish electrical connections in drawer walls, then electrical components can be connected, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical conductors are pre-integrated into the drawer wall structure during manufacturing, with channel-shaped receptacles and contact points prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual wiring during assembly, as components can be directly connected to pre-positioned contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is merged with the drawer wall structure itself. Conductors, channels, and contact points are integrated into the drawer wall's inner core and outer casing, combining structural and electrical functions into a single unified component rather than separate wiring systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical conductors are routed externally on drawer walls, then connections can be made, but the design flexibility and aesthetic appeal are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical conductors are nested within channel-shaped receptacles that are embedded in the drawer wall's inner core. The conductors are concealed within the drawer wall structure, with only contact points accessible on the outer surface, creating a clean integrated design while maintaining routing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductor routing is moved from a two-dimensional surface level to a three-dimensional space within the drawer wall's inner core. Channel-shaped receptacles provide volumetric pathways that allow conductors to be routed through the thickness of the drawer wall, enabling flexible connections without external wiring.
3Strength
If solid plastic material is used for drawer wall inner core, then structural strength is achieved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner core uses a honeycomb structure with hexagonal cells that create a porous yet load-bearing framework. This cellular structure provides high structural strength relative to its weight and material volume, maintaining drawer wall integrity while minimizing plastic material consumption compared to solid construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer wall combines different materials and structures: a honeycomb plastic core for strength-to-weight optimization, channel-shaped receptacles for conductor routing, and an outer thin-walled casing for aesthetic finish. This composite approach achieves required structural strength while minimizing overall material usage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a drawer wall, which is formed as a rear wall (3), front panel or as a side panel (4, 4') connecting the rear wall (3) and the front panel, the drawer wall having an inner core (6, 6', 6", 6''', 6'''') and an outer thin-walled case (7), at least one channel-shaped receptacle with at least one electrical conductor (10, 20, 20', 30) being provided in the inner core (6, 6', 6", 6''', 6''''). At least one electrical component can thereby be powered via the drawer wall.