Drawer guide unit

Abstract

A drawer guide unit 20, 200 includes: a fixing member 21; a linear motion guide device 31; a plate 41; an elastic-force-imparting member 51; and a handle 61, 261. The handle 61, 261 and the plate 41 are connected by a dual-structure wire 45. When the handle 61, 261 is pulled, the wire 45 connecting the handle 61, 261 and the plate 41 by means of a two-wire structure exerts a pulling force counter to the elastic force of the elastic-force-imparting member 51, whereby the plate 41 is pulled out. When the pulling of the handle 61, 261 is released, the plate 41 is biased toward the side opposite the pull-out direction by the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-imparting member 51. The handles 61, 261 include the handle 61, which is a tube structure, and the handle 261, which utilizes a grip part 268 that is tiltable.

Description

Drawer guide unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drawer guide unit.

[0002] Conventionally, in interior equipment for vehicles such as aircraft, in order to store articles by making the most of the limited space of the passenger service area, a galley unit including many storage compartments has been used. For example, as prior art documents that disclose this type of galley unit, there are Patent Document 1 below and the like.

[0003] In the storage compartment of the galley unit, for example, a galley container storing food and beverages is stored. The galley container can be stored at a height above the floor surface and is generally taken in and out by the hands of flight attendants and loaders (persons who take in and out). In particular, in an aircraft or the like, the galley container is often stored at a position above the heads of flight attendants and loaders (persons who take in and out). However, since the galley container storing food and beverages is a heavy object, the operation of pulling out or storing the galley container from the storage compartment is a heavy load. Therefore, in the conventional galley unit, a drawer guide unit for the galley container is installed to assist flight attendants and loaders (persons who take in and out) in pulling out the galley container stored in the storage compartment at a high position of the galley unit from the storage compartment.

[0004] A conventionally known drawer guide unit for a galley container has one end of a wire connected to a handle, and an engaging member that engages with the galley container is connected to the other end of the wire. This engaging member is always at the innermost position of the storage compartment by the elastic force exerted by an elastic body such as a spring, and when a flight attendant or a loader (person who takes in and out) pulls the handle, the engaging member moves to the entrance side of the storage compartment, and it is provided with a mechanism for pulling out the galley container stored in the storage compartment.

[0005] Japanese Patent Translation of PCT No. 2010 - 514605 [[ID=]16]

[0006] However, the conventional drawer guide units for galley containers described above are prone to damage to elastic components such as handles, wires, and springs due to the repeated drawing of heavy galley containers, and there was room for improvement in terms of operability.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in view of the problems present in the prior art described above, and its purpose is to provide a drawer guide unit that is less prone to damage and has improved operability compared to the prior art.

[0008] The drawer guide unit according to this disclosure is a drawer guide unit used to pull out an article stored in a storage compartment from the storage compartment, and comprises a linear motion guide device comprising at least a fixing member attached to the inner wall surface of the storage compartment, a track member attached to the fixing member, and a moving member that slides along the longitudinal direction of the track member; a plate attached to the moving member and engaging with the wall surface on the back side of the storage compartment where the article is stored; an elastic force applying member held by the fixing member and exerting an elastic force that biases the moving member toward the side away from the article; and a handle connected to the moving member or the plate via a wire, wherein both ends of a single wire are attached to the moving member or the plate and the middle The handle is installed in an intermediate position, connecting the handle to the movable member or the plate in a two-part structure. The handle comprises a handle base installed in a position that is movable relative to the wire, and a grip portion made of a separate component from the handle base. When the handle is pulled toward the pull-out side of the article, the wire connecting the handle to the movable member or the plate in a two-part structure exerts a pulling force against the elastic force of the elastic force-applying member, causing the plate to pull the article out of the storage compartment. When the pull of the handle is released, the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-applying member biases the plate toward the opposite side of the article.

[0009] Other drawer guide units according to the present disclosure are drawer guide units used to pull out articles stored in a storage compartment from the storage compartment, comprising: a linear guide device comprising at least: a fixing member attached to the inner wall surface of the storage compartment; a track member attached to the fixing member; and a moving member that slides along the longitudinal direction of the track member; a plate attached to the moving member and engaging with the wall surface on the back side of the storage compartment where the articles stored in the storage compartment are stored; an elastic force applying member held by the fixing member and exerting an elastic force that biases the moving member toward the side away from the pulling out of the articles; and a handle connected to the moving member or the plate via a wire, wherein the handle is a flexible tube structure having a cylindrical shape, and the wire is located in a through cavity constituting the tube structure. The wire is installed in a state that allows it to move relative to the wire by passing a wire through it, and the wire is connected to the movable member or the plate in a two-wire structure by having both ends of a single wire attached to the movable member or the plate and having the handle, which is a tube structure, installed at an intermediate position, thereby connecting the handle to the movable member or the plate. When the handle is pulled toward the pull-out side of the article, the wire connecting the handle to the movable member or the plate in a two-wire structure exerts a pulling force that is opposed to the elastic force of the elastic force-applying member, thereby pulling the plate out of the storage section, and when the pull of the handle is released, the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-applying member biases the plate toward the opposite side of the article.

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a drawer guide unit that is less prone to damage and has improved operability compared to conventional technology.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a galley unit to which the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment is applied. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating how the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment is installed in the storage compartment of the galley unit. Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right lower. Figure 5 is a left side view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment as shown in Figure 3. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment as shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the linear motion guide device and elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the linear motion guide device and elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right upper. Figure 10 is a left side view showing the main part of the linear guide device constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the linear guide device of Figure 10 along the line XI-XI. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right upper. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the elastic force applying member shown in Figure 13 with the spring protection cover installed on the right side removed. Figure 15 is a left side view of the handle, wire, and L-shaped plate constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 16 is a right side view of the handle, wire, and L-shaped plate constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment.Figure 17 is an enlarged left side view showing the main parts of the handle, wire guide, and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 18 is an enlarged right side view showing the main parts of the handle, wire guide, and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 19 is a perspective view of a part of the L-shaped plate and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left lower. Figure 20 is a perspective view of a part of the L-shaped plate and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear upper right. Figure 21 is a right side view illustrating the state of use of the handle, wire guide, and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, where subdivision (a) shows the initial state and subdivision (b) shows the state when the handle is pulled forward. Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the connection part, which is the attachment point between both ends of the wire and the L-shaped plate. Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the handle of Figure 21 along the line XXIII-XXIII. Figure 24 is a left side view illustrating the usage state of the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to this embodiment, with subdivision (a) showing a balanced state where no external force is applied to the L-shaped plate, and subdivision (b) showing a state where an external force directed backward is applied to the L-shaped plate. Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of various deformation forms that the handle constituting the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to this embodiment can take, and is a figure to be referenced in comparison with Figure 23. Figure 26 is a left side view of the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to the deformation form and an enlarged view of the main parts around the handle constituting the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to the deformation form, showing the normal state in which the grip portion of the handle of the deformation form is positioned in a tilted forward position. Figure 27 is a left side view of the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to the deformation form and an enlarged view of the main parts around the handle constituting the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to the deformation form, showing the stored state in which the grip portion of the handle of the deformation form is positioned in a tilted backward position.Figure 28 is a perspective view of the handle and part of the wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit in the modified form, viewed from the front left and lower. Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the handle in the modified form, viewed from the front left and lower. Figure 30 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the handle in the modified form, viewed from the rear right and upper.

[0012] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the inventions of each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of this disclosure.

[0013] First, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, an example of a galley unit 10 in which the drawer guide unit 20 for a galley container according to this embodiment is installed and used is shown. Here, Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a galley unit to which the drawer guide unit for a galley container according to this embodiment is applied. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating how the drawer guide unit for a galley container according to this embodiment is installed in the storage compartment of the galley unit.

[0014] The galley unit 10 in which the galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to this embodiment is installed is used in the interior equipment of vehicles such as aircraft. The galley unit 10 has a plurality of storage compartments 11, and galley containers 12 can be stored in or pulled out of the plurality of storage compartments 11. In the galley unit 10 of this embodiment, the storage of galley containers 12 into the storage compartments 11 is done manually by cabin crew or loaders (those who load and unload). In addition, in the case of the storage compartments 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of galley containers 12 (for example, two) can be stored in series in the depth direction. In this case, galley containers 12 stored on the front side can be pulled out manually by cabin crew or loaders (those who load and unload), but galley containers 12 stored on the back side cannot be pulled out manually by cabin crew or loaders (those who load and unload). Thus, when pulling out the galley container 12, which is stored at the back of the storage compartment 11 and out of reach of a person, the galley container pull-out guide unit 20 according to this embodiment is used.

[0015] The galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to this embodiment can be installed and used on the inner side wall surface of the storage compartment 11, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, in the following description, the case in which the galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to this embodiment is installed on the right side wall surface of the storage compartment 11 of the galley unit 10 will be described as an example. In other words, in the description of this embodiment, the directions of "front / back, left / right, up / down" will be defined and described based on the direction of use when it is installed on the right side wall surface of the storage compartment 11. However, these directions do not limit the state of use of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this disclosure.

[0016] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 24, the configuration of the galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right lower. Figure 5 is a left side view of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment as shown in Figure 3. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment as shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the linear motion guide device and elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the linear motion guide device and elastic force applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right upper. Figure 10 is a left side view showing the main part of the linear motion guide device constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the linear motion guide device of Figure 10 along the line XI-XI. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the elastic force-applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left upper. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the elastic force-applying member constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right upper. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the elastic force-applying member shown in Figure 13 with the spring protection cover installed on the right side removed. Figure 15 is a left side view of the handle, wire, and L-shaped plate constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 16 is a right side view of the handle, wire, and L-shaped plate constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 17 is an enlarged left side view showing the main parts of the handle, wire guide, and wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment.Figure 18 is an enlarged right side view showing the main parts of the handle, wire guide, and wire that constitute the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment. Figure 19 is a perspective view of a part of the L-shaped plate and wire that constitute the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the front left lower. Figure 20 is a perspective view of a part of the L-shaped plate and wire that constitute the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear right upper. Figure 21 is a right side view illustrating the state of the handle, wire guide, and wire that constitute the galley container drawer guide unit according to this embodiment when in use, with subdivision (a) showing the initial state and subdivision (b) showing the state when the handle is pulled forward. Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the connection part, which is the attachment point between both ends of the wire and the L-shaped plate. Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the handle of Figure 21 along the line XXIII-XXIII. Figure 24 is a left side view illustrating the usage state of the drawer guide unit for the galley container according to this embodiment. Diagram (a) in the figure shows a balanced state in which no external force is applied to the L-shaped plate, and diagram (b) shows a state in which an external force directed backward is applied to the L-shaped plate.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the drawer guide unit 20 for the galley container according to this embodiment mainly comprises a fixing member 21, a linear motion guide device 31, an L-shaped plate 41 which is the plate of this disclosure, an elastic force applying member 51, and a handle 61.

[0018] The fixing member 21 is a plate-shaped member attached to the inner wall surface on the right side of the storage compartment 11. A linear motion guide device 31, an elastic force applying member 51, and a wire guide 71 (described later) are fixedly installed on the left side of this fixing member 21, while the right side is attached to the inner wall surface on the right side of the storage compartment 11.

[0019] As shown in more detail in Figures 10 and 11, the linear motion guide device 31 includes a track rail 32 as a track member attached to the fixed member 21, and a movable member 33 that slides along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction) of the track rail 32.

[0020] The track rail 32 is a long rail member with a longitudinal cross-section that is approximately C-shaped or U-shaped, and has a pair of track rail-side sliding grooves 32a formed as grooves that extend longitudinally with respect to the vertical position of the inner circumferential surface of the approximately C-shaped or U-shaped rail. On the other hand, the movable member 33 has a pair of movable member-side sliding grooves 33a formed as grooves in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vertical position of the outer circumferential surface. The pair of track rail-side sliding grooves 32a and the pair of movable member-side sliding grooves 33a are each positioned opposite to each other. Furthermore, a cylindrical sliding member 34 made of oil-impregnated resin is interposed between the opposing track rail-side sliding grooves 32a and movable member-side sliding grooves 33a. Therefore, in the linear motion guide device 31, the movable member 33 slides along the longitudinal direction of the track rail 32 which is fixedly installed to the fixed member 21, but because the oil-impregnated resin sliding member 34 is present between the movable member 33 and the track rail 32, the movable member 33 can achieve stable sliding motion.

[0021] An L-shaped plate 41 is attached to the movable member 33 of the linear motion guide device 31 described above. In this embodiment, the movable member 33 and the L-shaped plate 41 are fixed together with bolts, with a spacer member 35, shown in Figures 8, 9, and 20, sandwiched between them. This spacer member 35 is used to connect and fix the movable member 33 to the elastic force-applying member 51, which will be described later.

[0022] In this embodiment, the L-shaped plate 41 is bolted to the movable member 33, allowing it to slide along the longitudinal direction of the track rail 32, which is fixedly installed to the fixing member 21. The rear side of the L-shaped plate 41 has an L-shaped portion 42 that bends to the left with respect to the sliding direction. This L-shaped portion 42 engages with the container wall at the back of the galley container 12, and as the L-shaped plate 41 moves forward while maintaining this engaged state, the galley container 12 can be pulled out from inside the storage compartment 11.

[0023] On the other hand, a wire 45 is fixed to the front side of the L-shaped plate 41, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 15, 16, 20, and 22. As for how both ends of the wire 45 are fixed to the L-shaped plate 41, as shown in Figure 22, the L-shaped plate 41 is provided with tapped holes 48, and connecting parts 81 in the shape of ring terminals are installed at both ends of the single wire 45 which has a two-part structure. The fixing of both ends of the wire 45 to the L-shaped plate 41 is completed by passing the threaded shaft of a bolt 83 through the through hole of the connecting part 81 which has a ring terminal shape and screwing the bolt 83 into the tapped hole 48. At this time, since the connecting part 81 fixed to the L-shaped plate 41 has a ring terminal shape, the wire 45 is fixed to the L-shaped plate 41 in a state where it cannot rotate.Therefore, according to the structural example shown in Figure 22, the wire 45 does not rotate, so it is possible to effectively prevent problems such as the two-part wire 45 twisting.

[0024] The elastic force-applying member 51 is held by the fixed member 21 and exerts an elastic force that biases the movable member 33 of the linear motion guide device 31 toward the side away from the galley container 12. As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the elastic force-applying member 51 according to this embodiment includes a winding drum 52 rotatably held by the fixed member 21, a spring force transmission wire 53 wound around the winding drum with one end 53a fixed to the winding drum 52 and the other end 53b fixed to the movable member 33, a mainspring 55 that biases the winding drum 52 in the winding direction of the spring force transmission wire 53, and a mainspring protective cover 54 installed on the right side of the winding drum 52 to protect the mainspring 55. Therefore, the elastic force-applying member 51 is always configured such that the mainspring 55 exerts an elastic force that biases the movable member 33 toward the side away from the galley container 12 (i.e., the rear side).

[0025] Regarding the attachment of the spring force transmission wire 53 to the winding drum 52 and the moving member 33, one end 53a and the other end 53b of the spring force transmission wire 53 are spherical in shape. The spherical shape of one end 53a of the spring force transmission wire 53 is fixed by locking it into the locking groove 52a of the winding drum 52 (see Figures 13 and 14), and the spherical shape of the other end 53b of the spring force transmission wire 53 is fixed by fitting it into the locking groove 33b of the moving member 33, covering it with a spacer member 35, and bolting it in place (see Figure 8).

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the unwinding and winding operations are repeated between the elastic force-applying member 51 and the linear motion guide device 31, a spring force transmission wire guide member 36 is installed at the rear end of the linear motion guide device 31 (see Figures 8 and 9). This spring force transmission wire guide member 36 is made of resin and has wall surfaces that cover the lower surface and left and right side surfaces of the spring force transmission wire 53, which is subjected to repeated unwinding and winding operations. The spring force transmission wire guide member 36 guides the movement range of the spring force transmission wire 53, thereby contributing to stabilizing the unwinding and winding operations of the spring force transmission wire 53 that are repeated between the elastic force-applying member 51 and the linear motion guide device 31.

[0027] The handle 61 is a component that connects to the movable member 33 via a wire 45. More specifically, as shown in Figures 17, 18, 21, and 23, the handle 61 is configured as a flexible tube structure having a cylindrical shape. The handle 61 is installed by passing the wire 45 through a through-hole that constitutes the tube structure. As for the material that constitutes the handle 61 according to this embodiment, any material can be used as long as it can be configured as a flexible tube structure having a cylindrical shape, for example, any elastic material such as nylon resin, flame-retardant resin, or rubber can be applied. By configuring the handle 61 as an elastic material, it is possible to prevent damage in the event of a malfunction such as pinching, and thus effectively prevent malfunctions.

[0028] Furthermore, in the handle 61 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, when the handle 61 installed on the wire 45 is viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction in which the wire 45 extends, the inner diameter dimension φD of the through cavity in the handle 61 and the diameter dimension φd of the wire 45 are configured to satisfy the inequality φD > φd. By having a shape that satisfies this condition, the handle 61 according to this embodiment is installed in a state that allows for relative positional movement with respect to the wire 45, and this positional movement can be carried out smoothly.

[0029] On the other hand, the wire 45 is attached to the front side of the L-shaped plate 41, which has both ends of a single wire 45 fixed to the movable member 33, and a handle 61, which is a tube structure, is installed at the middle of the single wire 45. In other words, the L-shaped plate 41 and the handle 61 in this embodiment are configured to connect the wire 45 in a two-wire structure.

[0030] Therefore, in the galley container pull-out guide unit 20 of this embodiment, when the handle 61 is pulled toward the pull-out side (i.e., the front side) of the galley container 12, the wire 45 connecting the handle 61 and the L-shaped plate 41 in a two-wire structure exerts a pulling force that resists the elastic force of the elastic force-applying member 51. As a result, the L-shaped plate 41 engaged with the galley container 12 moves toward the front, allowing the L-shaped plate 41 to pull the galley container 12 out of the storage compartment 11.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the handle 61 is operated to slide the L-shaped plate 41 (movable member 33) via the wire 45 connected in a two-piece structure, thereby unwinding or winding the spring force transmission wire 53 from the winding drum 52, the mainspring 55 always exerts an elastic force that biases the L-shaped plate 41 (movable member 33) toward the side of the galley container 12 that is not pulled out (i.e., toward the rear). Therefore, when the pull of the handle 61 is released, the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-applying member 51 biases the L-shaped plate 41 toward the side of the galley container 12 that is not pulled out (i.e., toward the rear), allowing it to easily return to its initial position.

[0032] When the pull on the handle 61 is released and no external force is applied to the L-shaped plate 41, the handle 61 is not pressed against the wire guide 71 (described later), as shown in subdivision (a) of Figure 24, and is slightly forward, with the handle 61 itself in a roughly C-shape. Thus, in the galley container drawer guide unit 20 of this embodiment, when no external force is applied, it exhibits the equilibrium state shown in subdivision (a) of Figure 24. From this equilibrium state, for example, when the L-shaped plate 41 is pressed backward by a force in the direction indicated by the galley container 12, etc., the L-shaped plate 41 moves backward as shown in subdivision (b) of Figure 24, and the handle 61 is pressed against the wire guide 71 (described later). As a result, the handle 61 becomes roughly U-shaped. In other words, when the galley container 12 is stored in the storage compartment 11, the handle 61 of the galley container drawer guide unit 20 of this embodiment is in a roughly U-shape.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the handle 61 is positioned via a wire guide 71 installed on the pull-out side (i.e., the front side) of the galley container 12 in the fixing member 21. The wire guide 71 in this embodiment, as shown in more detail in Figure 18, has a guide wall 72 that guides the pulling out and storing of the wire 45 that connects the handle 61 and the L-shaped plate 41 in a two-wire structure, and this guide wall 72 is configured as a curved wall surface with curvature.

[0034] Regarding the guide wall 72 formed on the wire guide 71, it is preferable that the inequality 2R / φd≧20 holds true, as shown in subdivision (a) of Figure 21, when the diameter of the wire 45 is φd and the radius of curvature of the curved wall surface constituting the guide wall 72 is R. This condition contributes to achieving smooth wire extension and retraction operations by having the guide wall 72 guide the extension and retraction of the two wires 45 when the handle 61 is pulled out diagonally downward, as shown in subdivision (b) of Figure 21. Although the wire guide 71 does not directly prevent damage to the handle 61, if the shape of the wire guide is a sharp R shape that deviates from the above condition, the wire 45 may become bent, causing the handle 61 to be stored in an upright position, and potentially causing damage to the handle 61 by contact with items such as the galley container 12. Therefore, by having a shape that satisfies the above-mentioned condition, the wire guide 71 of this embodiment can indirectly provide a damage prevention effect for the handle 61.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide wall 72 formed on the wire guide 71 has a curved shape that satisfies the conditions of the above inequality, and the handle 61 and the L-shaped plate 41 are connected by a two-wire structure 45. Therefore, no matter what direction the handle 61 is pulled out, twisting of the wire 45 is unlikely to occur and it has high resilience, making it possible to smoothly pull out and retract the wire 45.

[0036] Furthermore, the drawer guide unit 20 for the galley container according to this embodiment employs a configuration in which the handle 61 and the L-shaped plate 41 are connected by a two-wire structure 45, thus providing high strength and the advantage that the wire 45 is less likely to break.

[0037] The configuration of the drawer guide unit 20 for galley containers according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the method of using the drawer guide unit 20 for galley containers according to this embodiment will be described.

[0038] When pulling out the galley container 12, which is stored at the back of the storage compartment 11 and out of reach of people, the cabin crew or loader (the person handling the loading and unloading) applies a pulling force against the elastic force of the spring 55 by pulling the handle 61 towards them. This pulling force is transmitted to the L-shaped plate 41 via a wire 45 connected in a two-wire structure. Since the L-shaped plate 41 is fixed to the moving member 33 of the linear motion guide device 31, it slides forward along the track rail 32 of the linear motion guide device 31. At this time, the L-shaped portion 42 formed on the L-shaped plate 41 engages with the container wall at the back of the galley container 12, so as the L-shaped plate 41 moves forward while maintaining this engaged state, the galley container 12 can be pulled out from inside the storage compartment 11. Furthermore, when a cabin crew member or loader (person loading and unloading) pulls the handle 61 forward, the handle 61 and the L-shaped plate 41 are connected by a two-wire structure 45, resulting in a configuration that is stronger and less prone to damage compared to conventional technology. In addition, the two-wire structure 45 is guided during its extension by a guide wall 72 formed as a curved wall surface with curvature relative to the wire guide 71, and the handle 61 is installed in a position that allows for relative positional movement at approximately the midpoint of the two-wire structure 45. Therefore, when a cabin crew member or loader (person loading and unloading) pulls the handle 61 forward, the extension state of the two-wire structure 45 is smoothly adjusted, enabling smooth extension operation.

[0039] As described above, after the galley container 12 is pulled out from the storage compartment 11, when the cabin crew or loader (the person loading and unloading) releases the pulling force applied to the handle 61, the pulling force applied to the L-shaped plate 41, which was receiving the pulling force from the handle 61, is released. As a result, the L-shaped plate 41 slides backward due to the elastic force of the spring 55 and automatically returns to its initial position (i.e., the equilibrium state shown in subdivision diagram (a) in Figure 24). At this time as well, the wire guide 71 appropriately guides the storage operation of the two-wire structure 45, and the handle 61 moves relative to the wire 45, so that the storage state of the two-wire structure 45 is smoothly adjusted and a stable return operation is achieved.

[0040] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0041] Next, with reference to Figures 26 to 30, examples of modified forms of the galley container drawer guide unit according to this disclosure will be described. The modified form of the galley container drawer guide unit 200 shown in Figures 26 to 30 is an example of a form in which the handle 61 constituting the galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to the above embodiment is in a different form. Here, Figures 26 and 27 are enlarged views of the left side of the modified form of the galley container drawer guide unit and the main part around the handle constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to the modified form. Figure 26 shows the normal state in which the grip portion of the handle according to the modified form is positioned in a forward-tilted position, and Figure 27 shows the stored state in which the grip portion of the handle according to the modified form is positioned in a backward-tilted position. Figure 28 is a perspective view of the handle and a part of the wire constituting the galley container drawer guide unit according to the modified form, viewed from the front left lower. Furthermore, Figures 29 and 30 are exploded perspective views showing the components of the handle in the modified form, with Figure 29 being a perspective view from the front left lower, and Figure 30 being a perspective view from the rear right upper. In Figures 26 to 30, components that are the same as or similar to those described in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0042] The handle 261, which constitutes the galley container drawer guide unit 200 in the modified form, is configured as shown in Figure 28, with a handle base 262 that is installed in a state where it can move relative to the wire 45, and a grip portion 268 that is made of a separate component from the handle base 262 and is installed so as to be tiltable relative to the handle base 262. A more detailed configuration of the handle 261 having this configuration is shown in Figures 29 and 30.

[0043] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, in the modified form of the handle 261, the handle base 262 is constructed by combining the handle base body 263 and the handle base cover 264.

[0044] The handle base main body 263 includes two shaft support portions 263a for supporting a rotation shaft 266, which will be described later. Further, the outer shape on the front left side of the handle base main body 263 is formed to have a tapered shape 263b. Furthermore, spring fixing holes 263c for fixing a coil spring 267, which will be described later, are formed in the vicinity of each of the two shaft support portions 263a of the handle base main body 263.

[0045] As particularly shown in FIG. 30, the handle base cover portion 264 is configured to have a shape in which two plate-like members are combined stepwise. The surface that extends in the front-rear direction from the upper side of the plate-like member forming the right side of the handle base cover portion 264 is formed as a wall surface having an arc shape, and this wall surface serves as a wire sliding wall 264a. Also, since the right side of the handle base cover portion 264, that is, the side surface that is combined with the handle base main body 263 is formed stepwise, when the handle base cover portion 264 is combined with the handle base main body 263 and fixed by a fixing bolt 265, a wire conduction path for conducting the intermediate position of the wire 45 to the inside of the handle base 262 is formed between the handle base main body 263 and the handle base cover portion 264. In this way, the handle base 262 formed by combining the handle base main body 263 and the handle base cover portion 264 forms a wire conduction path for conducting the intermediate position of the wire 45 to the inside of the handle base 262 by the cooperation of the handle base main body 263 and the handle base cover portion 264. At the same time, the wire sliding wall 264a of the handle base cover portion 264 constitutes a part of the wire conduction path and holds the intermediate position of the wire 45 in a slidable state. Therefore, the handle base 262 is installed in a state where it can move relative to the wire 45.

[0046] A rotation shaft 266 is installed in the two shaft support portions 263a of the handle base main body 263. The rotation shaft 266 has a shaft head portion 266a formed at one end (upper side), and an E-ring 266b, which serves as a retaining means to prevent the rotation shaft 266 from coming out of the two shaft support portions 263a, can be installed at the other end (lower side).

[0047] A rotation shaft 266 is installed on two shaft support portions 263a of the handle base main body portion 263. Further, by attaching a grip portion 268 to the rotation shaft 266, the grip portion 268 is installed so as to be tiltable with respect to the handle base 262 about the rotation shaft 266 as a rotation center. The attachment of the grip portion 268 to the rotation shaft 266 is performed using an attachment hole 268a formed in the grip portion 268.

[0048] Also, two magnets 268b are installed on the left side surface of the grip portion 268. When these two magnets 268b approach the magnet 21b installed on the left side surface of the fixing member 21, they will exert a force of adsorption and retention by the mutual magnetic attraction force exerted by the magnets.

[0049] Furthermore, spring fixing holes 268c for fixing a torsion spring 267 described later are formed in the vicinity of the two attachment holes 268a formed in the grip portion 268.

[0050] When attaching the grip portion 268 to the handle base 262 via the rotation shaft 266, two torsion springs 267 are installed on the rotation shaft 266, and both ends of these torsion springs 267 are fixed by being inserted into a spring fixing hole 263c formed in the handle base main body portion 263 and a spring fixing hole 268c formed in the grip portion.

[0051] Here, as shown in FIG. 26, the handle 261 according to the deformation mode is disposed further forward (on the pulling-out side of the galley container) of a wire guide 71 installed on the pulling-out side (front side) of the galley container in the fixing member 21. And when the pulling of the handle 261 is released and the L-shaped plate 41 is biased toward the anti-pulling-out side (rear side) of the galley container by the elastic force exerted by the elastic force applying member 51, the wire guide 71 and the handle base 262 are in a close or contacting state. In such a state, the elastic force exerted by the two torsion springs 267 always maintains the normal state in which the grip portion 268 of the handle 261 is in a state of falling forward (see FIG. 26).

[0052] On the other hand, when some external force acts against the elastic force exerted by the two coil springs 267, causing the grip portion 268 of the handle 261 to tilt backward, the magnetic attraction between the two magnets 268b installed on the grip portion 268 and the magnet 21b installed on the fixing member 21 exerts a force that attracts and holds it in place. As shown in Figure 27, the deformed handle 261 maintains a stored state in which the grip portion 268 is tilted backward. In other words, when the wire guide 71 and the handle base 262 are in close proximity or in contact, and the grip portion 268 is tilted toward the wire guide 71, the grip portion fixing means (magnets 268b and 21b) for fixing the grip portion 268 to the fixing member 21 is provided, so that the grip portion 268 is in a retracted state, which effectively prevents cabin crew or loaders (those handling the load and unload) from accidentally damaging the handle 261 when, for example, pulling out or storing the galley container 12 from the storage compartment 11.

[0053] Furthermore, the mechanism for tilting the grip portion 268 of the handle 261 forward (towards the side where the galley container is pulled out) is not limited to the one using the coil spring 267 shown in the modified form, but any mechanism that produces the same effect as the coil spring 267 may be applied.

[0054] Furthermore, the two magnets 268b installed on the grip portion 268 and the magnet 21b installed on the fixing member 21 constitute the grip portion fixing means according to this disclosure. The specific configuration of the fixing means that can be used in the grip portion fixing means according to this disclosure is, for example, neodymium magnets can be used if they are magnets. In addition, the grip portion fixing means according to this disclosure may employ a mechanical structure such as an automatic clamp chuck in which claws or levers mechanically grip and release an object, or it may employ hook and loop fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or Velcro, which fix by physically interlocking minute hooks and loops.

[0055] Furthermore, when the grip portion 268 is in the retracted position, the handle base 262 is positioned on the front side (the side where the galley container is pulled out). At this time, from the viewpoint of ensuring safety and preventing equipment failure, in the modified form, the outer shape of the handle base body portion 263 on the side opposite to the side that is close to or in contact with the wire guide 71 (i.e., the front side) is formed with a tapered shape 263b. This tapered shape 263b is designed to intentionally create a situation where it is difficult for cabin crew or loaders (those who load and unload) to grasp the handle base 262, thereby improving the safety of the galley container pull-out guide unit 200 in the modified form. In addition, when cabin crew or loaders (those who load and unload) pull out or store the galley container 12 from the storage compartment 11, the presence of the tapered shape 263b makes it difficult for the galley container 12 to collide with the handle base 262, thereby improving robustness in addition to safety.

[0056] Furthermore, in the modified form of the galley container drawer guide unit 200, the shape of the front side of the fixing member 21 has been changed compared to the embodiment described above. As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the front end of the wire guide 71 and the front end of the fixing member 21 are arranged to be flush with each other. In addition, the position of the bolt hole 21a for attaching the fixing member 21 to the inner wall surface on the right side of the storage compartment 11 is close to the mounting position of the wire guide 71. By adopting these multiple configurations, the mounting state of the front end of the galley container drawer guide unit 200, such as the wire guide 71 and the fixing member 21, which are subjected to force when the handle 261 is extended and retracted, is stabilized, and the frequency of malfunctions and abnormalities can be reduced.

[0057] Furthermore, the components of the galley container drawer guide unit 200 in its modified form can be made from a variety of materials. For example, for the pivot shaft 266, which is subjected to repeated forces, it is preferable to use austenitic stainless steel such as SUS304, which is rust-resistant and highly durable, and for other components, it is preferable to use a medium-strength 5000 series aluminum alloy such as A5052, which has excellent corrosion resistance, moldability, and lightweight properties. Also, for example, a resin material can be used for the wire sliding wall 264a, which holds the wire 45 in a slidable position at an intermediate position. For this resin material, a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) made by compounding glass fibers or carbon fibers with a matrix resin (such as polyester or epoxy) may be used.

[0058] While preferred modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. A wide variety of further changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments and modifications described above.

[0059] For example, in the embodiments and variations described above, the drawer guide unit according to the Disclosure was described as a galley container drawer guide unit 20, 200 used to pull out a galley container 12 stored in a storage compartment 11 of a galley unit 10 from the storage compartment 11. However, the drawer guide unit according to the Disclosure is not used only for pulling out a galley container 12. The drawer guide unit according to the Disclosure can be used to pull out any item stored in various types of storage compartments.

[0060] Furthermore, in the embodiments and variations described above, the case in which the galley container drawer guide units 20 and 200 are installed on the right-hand wall of the storage compartment 11 of the galley unit 10 was illustrated. However, the galley container drawer guide units 20 and 200 according to this embodiment and its variations can also be installed on the left-hand wall of the storage compartment 11 of the galley unit 10. In this case, the galley container drawer guide unit 20 described above can be used by reversing its orientation. Thus, the galley container drawer guide unit 20 according to this embodiment is applicable to both the left and right walls of the storage compartment 11 and has a structure with a wide range of applicability. It should be noted that the galley container drawer guide units 20 and 200 according to this embodiment and its variations can be used not only on the left and right walls of the storage compartment 11, but also in any direction and orientation.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiments and modified forms described above, the case in which both ends of a single wire 45 with a two-part structure are fixed to the L-shaped plate 41 was illustrated. However, both ends of the single wire 45 with a two-part structure may also be fixed to a movable member 33 that slides together with the L-shaped plate 41.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiments and variations described above, the galley container drawer guide units 20, 200 according to these embodiments and variations were illustrated as being used when pulling out a galley container 12 that is stored at the back of the storage compartment 11 and out of reach of a person. However, of course, the galley container drawer guide units of this disclosure can also be used when pulling out a galley container 12 that is within reach of a person. In other words, the galley container drawer guide units of this disclosure can be used when pulling out items such as galley containers in any position, orientation, or state.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiments and modified forms described above, the linear motion guide device 31 was of a type that performed sliding motion. However, for the linear motion guide device applied to the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to this disclosure, a type in which a plurality of rolling elements (balls, rollers, etc.) are interposed between the track member and the moving member and perform rolling motion can also be adopted.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments and modifications described above, the connecting portion 81 for fixing the wire 45 to the L-shaped plate 41 is shown to have the ring terminal shape shown in Figure 22. However, for the connecting portion applied to the drawer guide unit for galley containers according to this disclosure, in addition to the ring terminal shape shown in Figure 22, a Y-shaped terminal shape or a hook-shaped terminal shape may also be adopted. Also, in the structural example shown in Figure 22, a tapped hole 48 and a bolt 83 were used as means of fixing the L-shaped plate 41 and the connecting portion 81. However, for the means of fixing the L-shaped plate and the connecting portion according to this disclosure, any conventionally known fixing means can be used, such as providing an untapped through hole in the L-shaped plate and using a bolt and nut fixing means in which the threaded shaft of a bolt is passed through this through hole and fastened with a nut, using a rivet fixing means, or using a welding fixing means.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 23, the handle 61 was explained as being composed of a single member, but any structure is applicable to the handle applicable to this disclosure. For example, Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of various possible variations of the handle that constitutes the drawer guide unit for a galley container according to this embodiment, and is a figure to be referenced in comparison with Figure 23. As shown in the example of the variation, the handle 161 can be composed of a multilayer structure in which the inner member 162 that constitutes the side with a through cavity and the outer member 163 that constitutes the outer surface side have different properties and are integrated. Moreover, by making the material of the inner member 162 nylon and the material of the outer member 163 flame-retardant resin, the optimal material can be arranged according to the parts with different usage conditions, such as the side that contacts the wire 45 and the side that is touched by the hands of the crew or loader (those loading and unloading), thereby optimizing multiple functions such as improved operability and extended lifespan.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, in the modified configuration described above, the two coil springs 267 that exert elastic force on the grip portion 268 of the handle 261 can be omitted, and a cylindrical spacer (pipe-shaped, ring-shaped) called a collar can be installed in the position where the two coil springs 267 were installed. By omitting the coil springs 267 and installing a collar, a configuration can be adopted in which the tilting motion of the grip portion 268 is free.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, regarding the wire sliding wall of the drawer guide unit for galley containers of this disclosure, in the modified form described above, the wire sliding wall 264a was formed on the right side of the handle base cover portion 264. However, for the wire sliding wall of this disclosure, a configuration in which the wire sliding wall is provided on the left side of the handle base body portion can be adopted. In this case, by forming the wire sliding wall on the left side of the handle base body portion, a groove shape is formed above the wire sliding wall that constitutes part of the wire conduction path for conducting the wire 45. On the other hand, the handle base cover portion of this disclosure can be made of a single plate-like member. In this way, the handle base of this disclosure, through the cooperation of the handle base body portion and the handle base cover portion, forms a wire conduction path that conducts the intermediate position of the wire 45 into the interior of the handle base, and the wire sliding wall formed on either the handle base body portion or the handle base cover portion constitutes part of the wire conduction path and holds the intermediate position of the wire 45 in a slidable state, so that the handle base is installed in a state in which it can move relative to the wire 45.

[0068] It is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0069] 10 Galley unit, 11 Storage compartment (storage section), 12 Galley container (articles), 20 (Drawer guide unit for galley container according to this embodiment) (Drawer guide unit), 21 Fixing member, 21a Bolt hole, 21b Magnet (Grip part fixing means), 31 Linear motion guide device, 32 Track rail (track member), 32a Track rail side sliding groove, 33 Moving member, 33a Moving member side sliding groove, 33b Locking groove, 34 Sliding member, 35 Spacer member, 36 Spring force transmission wire guide member, 41 L-shaped plate (plate), 42 L-shaped part, 45 Wire, 48 Tapped hole, 51 Elastic force applying member, 52 Winding drum, 52a Locking groove, 53 Spring force transmission wire, 53a One end (of the spring force transmission wire), 53b The other end (of the spring force transmission wire), 54 55 Mainspring protective cover, 61 Mainspring, 71 Handle, 71 Wire guide, 72 Guide wall, 81 Connection part, 83 Bolt, 161 Handle, 162 Inner member, 163 Outer member, 200 (Related to modified form) Drawer guide unit for galley container (drawer guide unit), 261 Handle, 262 Handle base, 263 Handle base main body, 263a Shaft support part, 263b Tapered shape, 263c Spring fixing hole, 264 Handle base cover part, 264a Wire sliding wall, 265 Fixing bolt, 266 Rotating shaft, 266a Shaft head, 266b E-ring, 267 Coil spring, 268 Grip part, 268a Mounting hole, 268b Magnet (means for fixing the grip part), 268c Spring fixing hole.

Claims

1. A drawer guide unit used for pulling out an article stored in a storage compartment, comprising: a linear guide device comprising: a fixing member attached to the inner wall surface of the storage compartment; a track member attached to the fixing member; and a moving member that slides along the longitudinal direction of the track member; a plate attached to the moving member and engaging with the wall surface on the back side of the storage compartment where the article is stored; an elastic force applying member held by the fixing member and exerting an elastic force that biases the moving member toward the side away from the article; and a handle connecting the moving member or the plate via a wire, wherein the wire is a single wire with both ends attached to the moving member or the plate and the handle installed at an intermediate position, thereby connecting the handle and the moving member or the plate in a two-wire structure; the handle comprises: a handle base installed in a state that is movable relative to the wire; and a grip portion made of a separate member from the handle base. A drawer guide unit characterized in that, when the handle is pulled toward the drawer side of the article, the wire connecting the handle and the movable member or the plate in a two-wire structure exerts a drawing force against the elastic force of the elastic force-applying member, causing the plate to draw the article out of the storage section, and when the pull of the handle is released, the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-applying member biases the plate toward the opposite side of the article.

2. A drawer guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion is assembled to the handle base via a pivot shaft so as to be tiltable relative to the handle base, and the handle base comprises: a handle base body portion having a pivot support portion that supports the pivot shaft, and a handle base cover portion that, when combined with the handle base body portion, cooperates with the handle base body portion to form a wire conduction path that conducts the intermediate position of the wire into the interior of the handle base, and further comprising a wire sliding wall which constitutes a part of the wire conduction path and holds the intermediate position of the wire in a slidable state, thereby enabling the handle base to be installed in a state where it can move relative to the wire.

3. A drawer guide unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle is positioned on the drawer side of the article of a wire guide installed on the drawer side of the article of the fixing member, and when the pull of the handle is released and the L-shaped plate is biased toward the opposite side of the article by the elastic force exerted by the elastic force applying member, the wire guide and the handle base are in close proximity or in contact with each other, and when the wire guide and the handle base are in close proximity or in contact with each other, and the grip portion is tilted toward the wire guide, a grip portion fixing means is provided for fixing the grip portion to the fixing member.

4. A drawer guide unit used for pulling out an article stored in a storage compartment, comprising: a linear guide device comprising at least: a fixing member attached to the inner wall surface of the storage compartment; a track member attached to the fixing member; and a moving member that slides along the longitudinal direction of the track member; a plate attached to the moving member and engaging with the wall surface on the back side of the storage compartment where the article is stored; an elastic force applying member held by the fixing member and exerting an elastic force that biases the moving member toward the side away from the article; and a handle connecting the moving member or the plate via a wire, wherein the handle is a flexible tube structure having a cylindrical shape, and is installed in a state that it can move relative to the wire by passing the wire through a through cavity constituting the tube structure, and the wire is connected to the moving member or the plate in a two-wire structure by having both ends of a single wire attached to the moving member or the plate and the handle, which is a tube structure, installed at an intermediate position. A drawer guide unit characterized in that, when the handle is pulled toward the drawer side of the article, the wire connecting the handle and the movable member or the plate in a two-wire structure exerts a drawing force against the elastic force of the elastic force-applying member, causing the plate to draw the article out of the storage section, and when the pull of the handle is released, the elastic force exerted by the elastic force-applying member biases the plate toward the opposite side of the article.

5. A drawer guide unit according to claim 4, characterized in that when the handle, which is a tube structure installed on the wire, is viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction in which the wire extends, the inner diameter dimension φD of the through cavity in the handle and the diameter dimension φd of the wire satisfy the inequality φD > φd.

6. A drawer guide unit according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the handle is arranged via a wire guide installed on the drawer side of the fixed member for the article, the wire guide has a guide wall that guides the drawer and storage of the wire connecting the handle and the movable member or the L-shaped plate in a two-part structure, and the guide wall is a curved wall surface with curvature.

7. A drawer guide unit according to claim 6, characterized in that when the diameter of the wire is φd and the radius of curvature of the curved wall surface constituting the guide wall is R, the inequality 2R / φd ≥ 20 holds.

8. A drawer guide unit according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that both ends of the wire and the attachment points to the movable member or the plate are attached by connecting parts that prevent the wire from rotating.

9. A drawer guide unit according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion has a ring terminal shape.

10. A drawer guide unit according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the elastic force applying member comprises: a winding drum rotatably held by the fixed member; a spring force transmitting wire wound around the winding drum with one end fixed to the winding drum and the other end fixed to the movable member; and a spring that biases the winding drum in the winding direction of the spring force transmitting wire, wherein when the spring force transmitting wire is unwound or wound from the winding drum by sliding the movable member via the wire connected in a two-part structure by operating the handle, the spring always exerts an elastic force that biases the movable member toward the side away from the drawer of the article.

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