Corner Cabinet Pull-Out Shelf Linkage to Prevent Jamming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner cabinet pull-out shelves face accessibility issues due to jamming during roto-translation caused by the configuration of guides and support arms, and the presence of uprights hinders rotation, limiting surface usage.
Innovation Solution
A corner cabinet with an L-shaped bracket, a crank mechanism, and guide system that allows the pull-out shelf to perform a roto-translation movement, using a column, L-shaped bracket, and guide means to facilitate smooth extraction and retraction, avoiding interference with uprights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a support arm hinged close to a lateral wall is used for pull-out shelf actuation, then the shelf can be extracted from the cabinet, but the configuration of guide and revolving arm causes jamming during roto-translation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary crank mechanism that mediates between the support arm and the shelf. The crank converts the rotational movement of the support arm into a controlled roto-translation of the shelf, preventing direct contact and potential jamming between the guide and the revolving arm. This intermediary element smooths the transition and eliminates the jamming problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic support arm that can change its position and orientation during operation. The support arm is hinged to the column rather than being fixed to a lateral wall, allowing it to adapt its configuration during the extraction process. This dynamic adjustment prevents the guide and revolving arm from interfering with each other, eliminating jamming.
2Strength
If uprights are disposed in the front central wall of the cabinet, then structural support is provided, but the upright hinders the rotation of the support of the pull-out shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the support arm hinge from the lateral wall to the column, effectively changing the dimensional arrangement of the actuation mechanism. By hinging the support arm to the column (a vertical element) rather than the lateral wall, the rotation path is shifted to a different spatial dimension that does not intersect with the uprights in the front central wall, thus avoiding interference while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cabinet structure into distinct functional zones: the column serves as the actuation pivot point, the uprights provide front structural support, and the support arm operates in the space between them. This segmentation allows each element to perform its function independently without interfering with others, particularly allowing the support arm to rotate freely despite the presence of uprights.
3Area of moving object
If the shelf is positioned to maximize surface area, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility becomes difficult in corner position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic extraction mechanism that allows the shelf to transition from a retracted position (maximizing surface area utilization in the corner) to an extracted position (improving accessibility). The crank and support arm system enables the shelf to be pulled out smoothly along a controlled path, making corner-located shelves with maximum surface area easily accessible when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A cabinet (1) is described, comprising an opening (2) and a shelf (8) that can be pulled out from said opening to go from a retracted position inside the cabinet to an extracted position outside the cabinet, a column (C) disposed inside the cabinet in front central position of the cabinet, an L-shaped bracket (3) provided with a short arm (31) revolvingly mounted around said column (C) and a long arm (32), a crank (6) comprising a first end (65) hinged to the long arm (32) of the bracket and a second end (60) hinged to the pull-out shelf (8), first guide means (4) joined to the long arm (32) of the bracket, and second guide means (5) joined to the lower surface of the pull-out shelf (8), cooperating with said first guide means (4) joined to the long arm of the bracket.