Drawer Wall Locking Element With Resilient Tongues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer fastening devices require a large number of components, are costly, and necessitate significant manual force to secure the wall parts, while also occupying excessive space and requiring extensive recesses for hooks.
Innovation Solution
A comb-like locking element with resilient tongues that can be pushed into a recess and self-lock by abutting the recess's flank, featuring angled tongues for enhanced security and a release mechanism using a lever to facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fastening devices with hooks and guide channels are used, then the wall parts can be connected, but a large number of components are required and the device becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated locking element. The locking element includes a body with a locking tongue and an independent spring element, eliminating the need for separate hooks, guide channels, and multiple fastening components. This merging reduces component count while maintaining reliable connection between wall parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical interlocking through the tongue, automatic resetting through the spring mechanism, and guided insertion through the recess. This multi-functionality replaces traditional multi-component fastening systems with a single versatile element.
2Reliability
If traditional fastening devices are used, then the wall parts can be secured, but a considerable amount of manual force is required to tighten the handle element
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element automatically resets the locking tongue after insertion, eliminating the need for manual tightening force. The user simply needs to push the locking element into the recess, and the spring mechanism self-activates to engage the tongue with the recess wall, providing secure fastening without requiring the user to apply considerable force.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element transitions from a static mechanical connection to a dynamic system with movable components. The spring element provides automatic movement and adjustment, allowing the locking tongue to flex and engage the recess wall automatically, reducing the effort needed by the user while maintaining secure fastening.
3Reliability
If resilient hooks are used for connecting wall parts, then the connection can be made, but the hooks require a large amount of space and the wall parts must be provided with extensive recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue is designed as a thin, flexible element that can be easily inserted into the recess and engages with minimal space. The spring element provides the necessary flexibility and force without requiring bulky construction, allowing the fastening device to occupy minimal space while maintaining reliable connection 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
The solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and robust method to securely fix the wall parts with reduced manual effort and space requirements, while ensuring easy separation using a release device.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element has at least one, in particular spring-elastic, tongue which can be inserted into a recess of one of the wall parts and therein--in particular by clamping--can be fixed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drawer (4) with a first wall part (7), a second wall part (8), and a fixing device (15), via which the first wall part (7) and the second wall part (8) can be connected to each other. The fixing device (15) has at least one locking element (16) for locking the wall elements (7, 8) to each other. The locking element (16) has at least one tongue (16a), which is spring-elastic in particular and which can be inserted into a recess (17) of one of the wall parts (8) and fixed in said recess, in particular in a clamped manner. The locking element (16) is substantially designed in a comb-like manner in which two or more tongues (16a) that are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of a connecting piece (19) project laterally from the connecting piece (19).