Cupboard Drawer Locking Arm for Gravity-Triggered Push-In Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cupboard extension blocking devices are complex and lack simplicity and reliability in preventing the pivoted cupboard extension from being pushed in, especially when pivoted beyond a certain angle.
Innovation Solution
A blocking arm with a pivot axis between 0° to 45° to the horizontal, which pivots into a locking position by gravity as the cupboard extension is pivoted, interacting with a stop on the cabinet carcass to block the pull-out rail, and a bearing carriage on the upper pull-out guide adjusts to reduce play and ensure effective blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking lever is mounted on the lower pull-out guide to prevent the pivoted cupboard extension from being pushed in, then the blocking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking function is extracted from the lower pull-out guide and relocated to the upper pull-out guide. The blocking arm is mounted on the upper pull-out guide's sliding pull-out rail, separate from the lower guide's blocking lever system. This extraction simplifies the overall device by consolidating the blocking function in a more accessible location while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm acts as an intermediary element between the upper pull-out guide and the cupboard extension. It mediates the blocking function by interacting with stops on the cupboard body through a simplified mechanical linkage, reducing the complexity of direct connection while ensuring reliable blocking operation.
2Reliability
If a blocking device with multiple components is used to ensure reliable blocking, then the blocking reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking arm combines multiple functions into a single component: it is mounted on the sliding pull-out rail of the upper guide, pivots about a horizontal axis to engage blocking stops, and integrates the blocking lever functionality directly into the upper guide assembly. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining blocking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm serves multiple purposes: it provides the blocking function, acts as a mechanical linkage, and integrates with the upper pull-out guide's sliding rail system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, improving ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pivot axis of the blocking arm is positioned horizontally, then the blocking position is achieved with small pivoting angles, but the device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis of the blocking arm is positioned at an angle between 0° and 45° relative to the horizontal, rather than strictly horizontal. This parameter change allows the blocking function to be achieved with small pivoting angles of the cupboard extension while simplifying the positioning requirements and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm is designed to pivot dynamically about its horizontal axis as the cupboard extension is pivoted. This dynamic adjustment allows the blocking arm to automatically engage or disengage from the stops based on the pivoting angle, achieving precise blocking positioning without complex static positioning mechanisms.
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 simple and reliable mechanism to prevent the cupboard extension from being pushed in, ensuring effective blocking with minimal play even at small pivoting angles, enhancing operational efficiency and design simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
the blocking arm is pivoted from its release position into its blocking position by gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The cupboard has a cupboard drawer (1) extractable from a cupboard body (2) in an extraction direction (7) by a lower extracting guide (8) and an upper extracting guide (9). The drawer is retractable against the extraction direction. A pivot axis (24) of a locking arm (23) horizontally lies in an angle range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, where pivoting of the arm from its release position during a normal position of the drawer into its locking position during a pivoting condition of the drawer takes place by gravity.