Device for fixing a sliding element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for fixing a push element to a rail of a pull-out guide experience play between the locking projection and receptacle, leading to noise due to relative movement when the rail reaches an end position, which is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A device with a latching device featuring a latching projection and receptacle, where a compensating element, biased by a spring, is inserted into the receptacle to reduce play, ensuring secure attachment and minimizing longitudinal movement of the push element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a locking projection and locking receptacle are used to fix the sliding element to the rail, then the locking connection is easy to install and effectively secured, but play between the locking projection and receptacle causes relative movement and noise when the rail reaches an end position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidfixation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A compensating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking projection and the locking receptacle. This compensating element fills the play gap, preventing direct contact and movement between the locking projection and receptacle, thereby eliminating noise while maintaining the simple locking mechanism structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensating element is inserted into the locking receptacle, creating a nested structure where the compensating element is contained within the receptacle space. This nested arrangement allows the compensating element to occupy the play gap without adding external complexity to the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the compensating element is preloaded toward the locking receptacle using a spring, then the compensating element is automatically inserted into the locking receptacle, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic insertionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is integrated directly into the locking element structure, merging the preloading function with the existing locking component. This combination eliminates the need for separate preloading mechanisms while achieving automatic insertion of the compensating element into the locking receptacle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If several locking receptacles are provided arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, then pre-locking and final locking are enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of locking receptacles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating element is pre-loaded with a spring that automatically pushes it into the locking receptacle during the locking process. This preliminary action ensures the compensating element is in place before final locking occurs, enabling reliable pre-locking and final locking sequences without requiring multiple separate locking receptacles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces relative movement between the push element and the rail, minimizing noise and improving the fixation of the push element on the pull-out guide by compensating for play between the locking projection and receptacle.

Implementation Method 1

The compensating element can be preloaded toward the locking receptacle. The compensating element can thus be preloaded toward the locking receptacle by the force of a spring or other preloading element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4228476B1Device for fixing a sliding element
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4228476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4228476B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4228476B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A device for fixing a sliding element (3) on a rail (7) of a pull-out guide (4), having an adapter (10), which can be secured on the sliding element (3), and having a rail (7) of a pull-out guide (4), on which the sliding element (3) is fixed by a latching device, which has a latching protrusion (20, 20'), which engages in a latching seat (14), wherein the rail (7) and the sliding element (3) are held against one another via a locking element (11, 11'), wherein a compensating element (30, 30') can be introduced into the same latching seat(14) in order to reduce the amount of play of the latching protrusion (20, 20') in the latching seat (14). An amount of play in the latching device can thereby be reduced by simple means.