Modular Wall Element for Drawer Frame Design Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hollow chamber frames for drawers lack design flexibility and customization options, limiting their aesthetic and functional adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A wall element for the frame that covers the base part and casing element, providing a statically stable system for the drawer slide, allowing for adjustable height and customizable design through a recess for a decorative surface, and can be easily attached to the frame body, offering various design possibilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional hollow chamber frame is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but design flexibility and customization options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into separate components: a base part containing the hollow chamber and drawer guide system, and a wall element that can be attached to the base part. This segmentation allows the wall element to be customized in terms of design, color, and decorative surfaces while the base part maintains the structural function, thereby improving design flexibility without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base part is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different wall elements with varying designs, colors, and decorative features. The standardized connection interface between the base part and wall element allows for easy customization while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the same base part to support multiple design variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the frame structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then production cost is reduced, but design customization options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidframe production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the frame into a standardized base part and customizable wall elements, the manufacturing process can be optimized for the base part while allowing for varied production of wall elements. The base part can be mass-produced with consistent structural requirements, while wall elements can be manufactured in different designs, colors, and finishes using standard sheet metal bending and coating processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for parameter changes in the wall element such as color, decorative surface material, and outer contour shape, while the base part maintains fixed structural parameters for easy manufacturing. This separation enables customization through parameter variation in non-critical components without complicating the manufacturing of the structural base part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If the wall element covers the entire frame surface for aesthetic purposes, then design appearance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic designVSAvoidframe composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall element is designed as a single integrated component that covers the visible portions of the frame (front, rear, and side surfaces) while leaving the base part exposed in functional areas such as the drawer guide system region. This segmentation allows aesthetic coverage where needed while maintaining structural visibility and access where appropriate, without requiring an overly complex multi-component assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3009044B1Frame, drawer and piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3009044B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3009044B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3009044B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A wall element (17) for a frame of a drawer with a frame body (5) consisting of a base part (7) which has a cavity for receiving a drawer slide system and a covering element (6) for encasing the base part is proposed. According to the invention, the wall element (17) forms at least the upper part of the frame (18) with the upper end face and opposite vertical wall sections (17a, 17b), the wall element (17) being designed to be pushed onto the frame body (5) from above and onto to be fixed to the frame body (5).