Sheet Metal Storage Compartment with Web-Based Panel Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage compartments require additional complex work steps and expensive tools to form grooves for holding plate-shaped elements, which complicates manufacturing and affects aesthetics due to visible bends.

Innovation Solution

A storage compartment design featuring a protruding element formed by two parallel cuts in the edge area, which serves as a web, providing a discreet and effective support for plate-shaped elements, allowing for simple insertion and holding without play, and enhancing aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional bends are formed in the sheet metal blank to create grooves for holding panels, then the panels can be securely held in place, but the bends are clearly visible from the outside and are aesthetically displeasing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding securityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The visible groove-forming bends are extracted and relocated to the rear side of the container. The bends are still formed in the sheet metal blank to create secure holding grooves, but their position on the rear side removes the aesthetic defect while preserving the functional benefit of secure panel holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional bends are formed in the sheet metal blanks to create grooves, then the panels can be held securely, but the production becomes more complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding securityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove-forming bends are merged with the existing edge bends that form the side walls of the container. By integrating these functions into a single bending operation during blank formation, the number of separate work steps is reduced, simplifying production while maintaining secure panel holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If punching and bending tools are designed to create grooves with additional bends, then the holding function is achieved, but the tools have a complex design and increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding securityVSAvoidtool design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool design is segmented into standard punching and bending operations that are already commonly available. Instead of requiring specialized complex tools, the groove formation is achieved through conventional tooling that creates bends during the standard blank formation process, reducing tool complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3266346B1Storage compartment which can be instered in a cabinet
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 PEKA METALL
  • EP3266346B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3266346B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3266346B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A storage compartment (1) is formed from a sheet metal blank and comprises a base part (2) and edge regions (3, 4) surrounding the base part (2), which edge regions (3, 4) are approximately 90° in relation to the base part (2). are bent up. The bent-up edge areas (3, 4) are equipped with receiving and holding means, in each of which a plate-shaped element (9) can be inserted and held. A first edge area (3) and a second edge area (4) each form a first side surface (5) and a second side surface (6). The first side surface (5) serves as a support surface for the plate-shaped element (9). The second side surface (2) covers the front surface of the plate-shaped element (9), a protruding element (12) is also attached to the second side surface (6), the plate-shaped element (9) is between the supporting surface and the protruding element (12 ) held.