Recessed Drawer Handle Insert for Flush Furniture Fronts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional furniture designs with hidden drawers or panels face difficulties in user accessibility, as handles protruding from the exterior are deemed aesthetically unpleasing and impractical, while inner panels lack easy opening mechanisms without compromising the independent movement of front panels.

Innovation Solution

A slide-in handle insert is designed to fit into a recessed grip with a sliding guide, allowing comfortable grip and easy detachment without tools, enabling the user to open the furniture part without external handles, and can be replaced or adapted for aesthetic changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handle protrudes from the exterior of the furniture part, then the user can easily grasp and open the drawer, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised and the design becomes old-fashioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The handle function is extracted from the traditional protruding external handle and relocated to an insert within a recessed grip area on the drawer front. This allows the gripping function to be separated from the visible exterior surface, maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is moved from a protruding three-dimensional external feature to a recessed area on the drawer front surface. This dimensional repositioning allows the handle to be less visually prominent while still providing adequate grip space for user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the drawer is designed to end flush with the furniture periphery, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of opening without tools is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer front is designed with a localized recessed grip area that provides enhanced grip capability at a specific location. This local modification allows the overall drawer to maintain a flush, aesthetically pleasing appearance while providing a functional grip zone for easy opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a handle is attached to the front panel of the drawer, then the user can easily open or close the drawer, but the design becomes old-fashioned and aesthetically disturbing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle system is designed to be changeable and adaptable rather than fixed. Different handle inserts can be exchanged in the recessed grip area, allowing the functional aspect to remain constant while the aesthetic appearance can be adapted to different design preferences and time periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If the handle insert is made as a permanent fixed part, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to replace or adapt the handle is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidhandle replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle system is segmented into a permanent recessed grip structure and a replaceable handle insert. This segmentation maintains the simplicity of the overall structure while enabling flexibility in handle replacement and adaptation to different aesthetic requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3064677B1Furniture
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3064677B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

In a furniture component that is movable relative to a furniture carcass (12) between an open and a closed position via a guide device and is received in a furniture compartment (14) of the furniture carcass (12), comprising a furniture component base and a cover profile (15) that is received in the furniture compartment (14) in the closed position, wherein a gap (20) having a gap width (a) can be formed or is formed between an inner side (19) of the furniture compartment (14) and outer edges (16, 17, 18a, 18b) of the cover profile (15), at least one grip recess (21) is formed in the area of ​​the outer edges (16, 17, 18a, 18b) of the cover profile (15), in which a handle insert (22) for grasping by the user is arranged, wherein a grip opening is provided between the outer side of the handle insert (22) and the inner side (19) of the furniture compartment (14). (23) can be formed or is formed with an opening width (b) that is larger than the slit width (a).