Support Rail and Stepped Drawer Bottom for Thin-Base Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawer bases with thick profiles to prevent breaking under heavy loads reduce the storage space height and usable volume due to their thickness.

Innovation Solution

A drawer base with a stepped fold on its edge region, featuring a tab on the underside and another tab in the stepped fold, allows for vertical support and force absorption, eliminating the need for a separate clamping surface and reducing the risk of the drawer bottom breaking during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the drawer bottom is made thick to prevent breaking under heavy loads, then the strength is improved, but the storage space height is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer bottom strengthVSAvoidstorage space height

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between the drawer bottom (which remains thin) and the support rail with its tabs. The tabs provide localized reinforcement at critical points, allowing the drawer bottom to be thin overall while still preventing breaking under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs are pre-formed on the support rail before assembly. During assembly, these tabs are pressed into the drawer bottom to create pre-reinforced attachment points, eliminating the need for a thick drawer bottom while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a separate clamping surface is added to secure the drawer bottom, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer bottom fixationVSAvoidfastening structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support rail combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides lateral support, vertical support, and clamping function through its integrated tabs. This eliminates the need for separate clamping surfaces or additional fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support rail is designed as a multi-functional component where the same structure provides lateral positioning, vertical support, and secure fixation through its tabs. This universal design simplifies the overall fastening system while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2640226B1Arrangement comprising a support rail and a drawer bottom

Publication Date: 2014.12.31 JULIUS BLUM GMBH

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Figure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a support rail (10) and a drawer bottom (8), wherein the support rail (10) comprises a first contact web (12) and at least a second contact web (14) that protrudes laterally from the first contact web (12) for respective contact on the drawer bottom (8). According to the invention, the first contact web (12) and the second contact web (14) of the support rail (10) comprise each at least one tab (12a, 14a) that is bendable towards the drawer bottom (8), wherein the drawer bottom (8) comprises at at least one edge region an essentially step-shaped fold (9), at least one tab (12a) of the first contact web (12) being arranged on the lower face of the drawer bottom (8) and at least one tab (14a) of the second contact web (14) being arranged in the step-shaped fold (9) of the drawer bottom (8).