Glass Drawer Side Rails for Simpler Secure Panel Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drawer designs face structural complexity and increased assembly effort due to the use of caps for fixing attachment elements, leading to crooked or jammed corners and edges.
Innovation Solution
The attachment elements are secured using form-fitting or force-fitting profile rails connected to the side frames, which extend only over necessary regions, allowing for various connection methods like adhesive layers, clips, or clamps, and featuring a groove with an elastic sealing lip to prevent movement, with optional additional security from profile rails and retaining profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If caps are used to fix attachment elements to side frames, then attachment elements can be secured, but structural complexity increases and assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the caps from the attachment system entirely. Instead of using caps to fix attachment elements to side frames, the attachment elements are directly inserted into grooves formed in the profile rails that are already attached to the side frames. This extraction of the cap component simplifies the overall structure while maintaining secure fixation through the groove-engageement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: profile rails attached to side frames, grooves formed in the profile rails, and attachment elements with edge regions that engage the grooves. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall structural complexity while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If caps are used to fix attachment elements, then attachment elements can be secured, but assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The profile rails are pre-attached to the side frames before the attachment elements are installed. The grooves are pre-formed in the profile rails during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex assembly operations involving caps, allowing attachment elements to be simply inserted into the pre-prepared grooves, significantly reducing assembly effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment elements are designed to self-secure by engaging with the grooves in the profile rails. The elastic sealing lips in the grooves automatically provide retaining force when the attachment elements are inserted, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or mechanical connecting elements. The system serves itself by using the insertion action to simultaneously position and secure the attachment elements.
3Strength
If mechanical connecting elements are used to attach profile rails to side frames, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connecting elements (such as screws, clips, or clamps) with a non-mechanical connection method. The profile rails are attached to the side frames using adhesive layers, which provide secure connection through chemical bonding rather than mechanical fastening. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical connecting elements while maintaining connection strength and significantly reducing assembly effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection method is changed from mechanical (discrete fastening elements) to chemical (continuous adhesive bonding). This parameter change in the connection approach allows for a stronger, more uniform bond between the profile rails and side frames while simplifying the assembly process to a single application step without multiple fastening operations.
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
This design simplifies the attachment process, reduces structural complexity, and ensures secure fixation of attachment elements without mechanical connecting elements, enhancing assembly efficiency and preventing movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sealing lip protruding into the groove is formed on at least one leg delimiting the groove. The at least one elastic sealing lip causes elastic deformation when the attachment element is inserted into the groove, whereby restoring forces are built up
Implementation Method 2
Provision is made for the profile rails to be connected to the upper surfaces of the side frames by adhesive layers
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The drawer (1) has two support elements (4) connected with two side edges (3). Two profiled rails (5) run at a distance to upper surfaces of the side edges. Edge areas of the support elements are attached to the side edges and are held at the profiled rails in a form-fit, force-fit and firm manner. The profiled rails are connected with the upper surfaces of the side edges by adhesive layers, clamping elements or by clip-like design of the profiled rails. The profiled rails extend over a preset region of the side edges. The support elements are made of glass.