Device for connecting a thrust element with a guide rail, guide system and furniture or domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for sliding elements in furniture and household appliances face challenges in achieving secure, user-friendly, and cost-effective attachment to guide rails, particularly in tolerating assembly deviations and maintaining locking quality across different positions.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a latching arm and elastic attachment elements that allow for secure coupling with a single latching element, enabling tolerance compensation and easy manual decoupling, featuring a one-piece design with two spaced attachment elements that facilitate linear and pivoting movements for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with multiple locking elements is used to ensure secure connection, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is divided into multiple segments connected by connecting elements, allowing each segment to move independently to accommodate assembly deviations while maintaining overall locking functionality with a single locking element
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements are designed with elastic properties that allow them to deform and adapt to position deviations, changing their geometric parameters dynamically to maintain reliable locking despite manufacturing tolerances
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid locking arm is used to maintain precise locking position, then the locking precision is improved, but the ability to tolerate assembly deviations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed as a dynamic structure with movable connecting elements that can adapt their configuration based on assembly conditions, allowing it to maintain precise locking positions while accommodating position deviations through controlled movement and deformation
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used for the locking arm to enable movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is formed as an integrated one-piece component with connecting elements that are directly formed as part of the locking arm structure, eliminating the need for separate joints or fasteners while maintaining the required movement capability through elastic deformation of the integrated structure
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 reliable and stable locking mechanism that tolerates assembly deviations, ensuring secure attachment and easy detachment of sliding elements from guide rails, enhancing user-friendliness and cost-effectiveness while maintaining locking quality across various positions.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting elements are elastically arranged, so that the locking arm is movable in the area of the existing locking element in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the locking arm
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for connecting a movable sliding element of a piece of furniture or a household appliance to a guide rail is proposed. According to the invention, the device has a locking arm (41) with a locking element (42), wherein, in the arranged state of the device, the locking element (42) is configured to couple with a locking element, the elongated locking arm being connected to the remaining device by two spaced-apart elastic connecting elements (44, 45) which engage the locking arm (41) transversely to a longitudinal extent of the locking arm (41), so that the locking arm (41) is movable in the area of the existing locking element (42) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the locking arm (41) and in the direction of the connecting elements (44, 45).