Wall element for a drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall elements for drawers often result in unstable constructions that can lead to drawer noise due to free movement and vibrations, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies.

Innovation Solution

A wall element with a U-shaped support strip featuring elastically resilient pressure elements on its lateral leg sections, which ensures constant contact with the wall component, reducing movement play and stabilizing the drawer through distributed compression members and optional padding for enhanced damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wall component is inserted into the U-shaped profile of the support rail without elastic pressure elements, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wall component has free movement causing drawer noise and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer stabilityVSAvoidsupport strip structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support strip material is changed to an elastomer with specific hardness (50-90 Shore A), transforming it from a rigid structure to a compliant one that can elastically deform to apply pressure on the wall component, thereby eliminating free movement without adding complex mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The support strip is made from an elastomeric material that acts as a flexible structure, allowing it to deform and apply continuous elastic pressure on the wall component inserted into its U-shaped profile, preventing noise and instability while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If hard stop points are used to limit wall component movement, then the structure is simple, but vibrations cause noisy rebound when the drawer is opened and closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer noiseVSAvoidwall component positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support strip material is changed from rigid to elastomeric with specific hardness properties, enabling it to provide soft, damped restraint on the wall component that eliminates noisy rebound while maintaining stable positioning through elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity and damping properties are utilized to convert the harmful effect of vibrations into beneficial energy dissipation, reducing noise while maintaining stable wall component positioning without hard stops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a single pressure element is used to contact the wall component, then the structure is simple, but tilting movements around the contact point can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall component stabilityVSAvoidnumber of pressure elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support strip is divided into multiple segments along its length, with individual pressure elements distributed at different intervals, preventing tilting movements by providing multiple contact points that collectively stabilize the wall component without requiring a overly complex structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the support strip have locally optimized pressure element configurations, with elements positioned at specific intervals to provide appropriate stabilization at each location along the wall component edge, balancing stability with structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 stable and noise-reduced drawer construction by eliminating free movement and vibrations, ensuring effective stabilization and damping, thus enhancing the overall structural integrity and quiet operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastically compliant pressure element is provided on an inner surface of a first of the lateral leg sections, which faces a second opposing leg section, and is designed such that an edge section of the wall component arranged between the leg sections is constantly in contact and/or connected with each of the two lateral leg sections of the U-shaped profile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a padding covering made of a compliant material softer than the material of the insert can be attached to at least part of the insert. The padding covering is arranged on the insert such that it can rest against the inner side of the leg sections and/or against the wall component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3009040B1Wall element for a drawer
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3009040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3009040B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A wall element (1) for a drawer with at least one support strip (2) which is intended for attaching a panel-shaped wall component (3) to the wall element (1) and which has a U-shaped profile is proposed, the U-shaped Profile of the support strip (2) comprises a central section (2c) from which lateral leg sections (2a, 2b) protrude at an angle on opposite sides. According to the invention, an elastically resilient pressure element (2f) is provided on an inner side area of ​​a first of the lateral leg sections (2a, 2b), which faces a second opposite leg section (2a, 2b), and is designed in such a way that a pressure element (2f) is formed between the leg sections (2a, 2b ) arranged edge portion (3e) of the wall component (3) is kept in contact and/or in connection with each of the two lateral leg portions (2a, 2b) of the U-shaped profile.