Cabinet with a pull-out part

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cabinets with pull-out parts, such as drawers, often hinder access to smaller objects due to limited accessibility and inefficient use of storage space, as the pull-out parts do not allow unimpeded access to their usable filling volume.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a sliding storage part that automatically extends and protrudes beyond the cabinet boundary when the pull-out part is pulled out, utilizing energy accumulators like torsion springs for guided movement, creating additional storage compartments that can be accessed independently and without user intervention, ensuring maximum ease of use and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pull-out part is provided in a cabinet, then accessibility to stored objects is improved, but the usable base area and filling volume are reduced due to the structure occupying space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to stored objectsVSAvoidusable filling volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding storage part is nested within the pull-out part when retracted, and extends beyond it when activated. This nesting allows the storage compartment to be integrated into the pull-out structure without permanently occupying additional base area, resolving the contradiction between accessibility improvement and volume preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If an additional storage part is added to create independent storage compartments, then accessibility to smaller objects is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to smaller objectsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding storage part is merged with the pull-out part to form an integrated assembly. The storage compartment is created by extending the storage part beyond the pull-out part's boundary, combining multiple functions (pull-out mechanism and additional storage) into a single structural unit, thereby improving accessibility without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the storage part is spring-loaded or forcibly guided to extend automatically, then ease of use is improved, but the weight and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidweight of storage part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage part is designed to extend automatically through spring loading or forced guidance mechanisms that utilize the pull-out motion itself to trigger the extension. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate user actions to deploy the storage compartment, improving ease of use while keeping the weight increase minimal compared to motorized alternatives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enhances the usability of the entire storage space by allowing complete accessibility of stored objects, including smaller items, without impairing the usable base area or filling volume of the pull-out part, providing easy and unhindered access to all storage levels.

Implementation Method 1

The pull-out parts 3 - in general terms - are each constantly loaded in the swing-out direction by an energy accumulator. This can be an energy accumulator in the form of a torsion spring 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 2

Due to the spring loading or the forced guidance of the storage part in the extension direction, it is pushed so far out of the base of the extension part that it is almost completely freely accessible when the extension part is fully open

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring loading: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3167751B1Cabinet with a pull-out part
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3167751B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167751B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167751B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cupboard (1) comprises a pull-out part (2) which can be pulled out of a cupboard body and has at least one displaceable part which, when the pull-out part (2) is pushed in, lies completely inside the interior of the cupboard (1) accommodating the pull-out part (2) and, when the pull-out part is pulled out, over a boundary of the Storage part (3) protruding from the cabinet (1), the storage part (3) being acted upon in the extension direction by an energy accumulator or being positively guided along a guide device.