Support device for fixing a front panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support devices for fixing front panels to drawer side frames lack a compact design and efficient adjustment mechanisms, leading to potential over-tightening issues and limited adjustment capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A support device featuring a coil-shaped height adjustment eccentric with two end flanges and a core, integrated with a threaded bore for the side adjustment screw, allowing for compact size reduction and unrestricted 360° rotation, preventing over-tightening and enabling both height and lateral adjustments of the front panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the height adjustment eccentric and side adjustment screw are arranged with separated axes, then the adjustment mechanisms can operate independently, but the support device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport device sizeVSAvoidadjustment mechanism arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the height adjustment eccentric and side adjustment screw into a single integrated component structure. The height adjustment eccentric is designed with a threaded bore that directly receives the side adjustment screw, placing their axes close together. This integration allows both adjustment functions to share the same structural space, significantly reducing the overall support device size while maintaining independent adjustability of both mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the side adjustment screw is tightened maximally, then lateral adjustment is achieved, but over-tightening can destroy the carrying device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against over-tighteningVSAvoidadjustment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates protective features into the height adjustment eccentric structure that prevent over-tightening before it can cause damage. The eccentric design includes bearing areas with cylindrical bearing parts that protrude slightly beyond the thread diameter, creating limiting planes that physically prevent the side adjustment screw from being overtightened. This beforehand protection ensures the carrying device cannot be destroyed by excessive tightening while maintaining full adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the height adjustment eccentric is designed as a simple circular shape, then the structure is simple, but rotation is limited and cannot achieve unrestricted 360° adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rangeVSAvoideccentric shape design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the height adjustment eccentric with a dynamic coil shape that enables unrestricted rotation. The eccentric features a central core with winding arms extending radially outward, forming a coil-like structure. This dynamic design allows the eccentric to rotate freely through more than 360 degrees around the side adjustment screw axis, enabling the front panel to be adjusted to any height position. The winding arm structure maintains structural integrity while permitting complete rotational freedom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides a compact and reliable mechanism for adjusting the front panel's height and lateral position without risk of over-tightening, ensuring secure attachment and flexible adjustment within a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

the height adjustment eccentric is designed approximately in the form of a coil with two end flanges and a core lying between them and eccentrically thereto and is provided with a threaded bore through which the side adjustment screw passes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

lateral adjustment of a front panel can be brought about by lateral displacement of the height adjustment eccentric by turning the lateral adjustment screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2642888B1Support device for fixing a front panel
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2642888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2642888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2642888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a support device (6) for fixing a front panel (3) on the lateral frames (4) of a drawer (2), said support device (6) being equipped with a height adjusting eccentric (10) and a lateral adjusting screw (11) for adjusting the front panel (3). The lateral adjusting screw (11) is disposed within the cross-section of the height adjusting eccentric (10) in a parallel manner to the rotational axis (30) of the height adjusting eccentric (10) within the support device (6).