Modular Drawer Back With Sliding Sections for Custom Width Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current production of custom-made drawers is inefficient and costly due to the need for measuring and cutting the back side to fit specific furniture widths, leading to potential errors and increased production time.

Innovation Solution

A modular drawer design featuring sliding lateral sections and fixing means, allowing for easy adjustment of the drawer's width without the need for measuring or cutting, using screws with threaded or unthreaded holes and longitudinal slots for precise alignment and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the back side is cut to measure to fit specific furniture widths, then the drawer can be adapted to custom dimensions, but production time increases and costs rise due to machine adjustment and programming for each drawer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer width adaptationVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The back side is divided into multiple lateral sections that can be independently adjusted in width. Each lateral section can be positioned at different distances from the side, allowing the overall width to be customized without cutting. This segmentation enables rapid reconfiguration for different furniture widths while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral sections are designed to be movable relative to each other, transforming the static back side into a dynamic structure. The sections can be slid along longitudinal slots and fixed at various positions using fixing means, enabling continuous width adjustment without requiring machine reprogramming for each custom dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the back side is cut to measure, then custom width requirements are met, but errors or inaccuracies during measurement or cutting may occur, leading to rejected pieces and slowed production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom width fittingVSAvoidmeasurement and cutting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the back side into adjustable lateral sections, the invention eliminates the need for precise cutting and measurement of the entire back side at once. Each section can be independently positioned and adjusted, reducing the cumulative error risk and eliminating rejected pieces caused by cutting inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the approach from fixed dimensional parameters (cut to exact width) to adjustable parameters (lateral sections that can be positioned at various distances). This allows for easy correction and adjustment without incurring errors, as the sections can be repositioned along longitudinal slots to achieve the precise width needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If machines are adjusted and programmed for each specific modular drawer, then precise custom dimensions are achieved, but production becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer dimension precisionVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The back side is segmented into standardized lateral sections that can be assembled in different configurations. This eliminates the need for custom programming and machine adjustment for each drawer, as the same standardized sections can be combined to create various widths, maintaining manufacturing precision while simplifying production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral sections are designed as universal components that can be used across different drawer configurations. Each section serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling width adjustment, and facilitating easy assembly. This universality eliminates the need for specialized machine setup for each custom drawer, reducing both cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the back side is cut to measure, then the drawer fits the furniture width, but rejected pieces may be generated due to errors or inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefurniture width compatibilityVSAvoidmaterial waste from rejected pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the back side into adjustable lateral sections, the invention allows for precise width adjustment without cutting away material. The sections can be positioned to match the required width exactly, eliminating rejected pieces and the associated material waste that would result from cutting errors or inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3868254B1Modular drawer for furniture, preferably custom-made furniture

Publication Date: 2022.12.14 ESSETRE

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Figure 4~5A

AI summary

A modular drawer (100, 200) for furniture (M) comprising a pair of sides (S1, S2), a back side (P1, P2) and a base (B); the peculiarity of the modular drawer (100, 200) consists in the fact that the back side (P1, P2) comprises two lateral sections (1, 2, 3, 4), each one of them being connected to a side (S1, S2); the lateral sections (1, 2) are slidingly mounted in such a way to adjust the distance between the two sides (S1, S2).