Drawer Cabinet Locks with Contact Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for large and small parts require complex and labor-intensive cable connections for drawer and flap locks, leading to increased construction and manufacturing efforts without significant functional improvements.
Innovation Solution
The device features electrically connected contact elements that only engage in the closed position, eliminating the need for trailing cable guides and using double-acting locks that require continuous control signals to maintain their position, along with a data processing control system for authorized access and a modular design with adjustable compartments and flaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If trailing cable guides are used to connect drawer locks to the control device, then the drawer locks can be selectively controlled, but the construction and manufacturing effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable connection system from the drawer lock assembly, eliminating the need for trailing cable guides within the drawer sliding guides. Instead, contact elements are provided on the drawer that connect to the control device through a simplified external cable arrangement, significantly reducing the internal cable management complexity while maintaining selective control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical connection system into separate components: contact elements on the drawer, corresponding contact elements on the drawer cabinet, and external cable guides. This segmentation allows the drawer lock control to be simplified by removing the complex internal cable routing, as each segment can be independently positioned and connected.
2Ease of operation
If trailing cable guides are arranged in the drawer sliding guides, then the drawer locks can be connected to the control device, but the space required and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the trailing cable guides from the drawer sliding guides and repositions them externally. The contact elements on the drawer connect to the control device through external cable arrangements, eliminating the need to route cables through the drawer sliding guides, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing space requirements within the drawer assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of routing cables from the drawer lock through the drawer sliding guides to the control device (traditional approach), the patent inverts the connection approach by providing contact elements on the drawer that connect to external cable guides, which then route to the control device. This inversion eliminates the complex internal cable routing while maintaining the selective control function.
3Ease of operation
If double-acting locks are used for flaps, then the flap locks can be controlled by electrical pulses, but the energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electrical pulse action to control the double-acting flap locks. The control device sends electrical pulses to the lifting magnets, which activate the flap locks in a periodic manner rather than continuously. This periodic control allows the flap locks to be opened and closed on demand while minimizing continuous energy consumption, as the lifting magnets only require energy during the pulse activation periods.
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 simplifies the design and manufacturing process, reduces effort in construction, and ensures secure, authorized access to stored parts without functional losses, while maintaining secure storage and easy access to required items.
Implementation Method 1
The locking bar (11) can be moved by means of a double-acting lifting magnet (12)
Implementation Method 2
the flap locks (7) of the drawers (3) are designed as double-acting locks which can be moved between an open position and a closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for storing large or small parts with at least one drawer cabinet (2) having several drawers (3) which (3) can be selectively locked in the drawer cabinet (2) by means of an electrically controlled drawer lock (4) and of which (3) at least one drawer (3) has at least one compartment (6) which can be closed by means of a flap (5), wherein the flaps (5) of the at least one drawer (3) can be selectively locked on the drawer (3) by means of an electrically controlled flap lock (7), and with a control device which is in control communication with the drawer locks (4) and the flap locks (7) such that a selected drawer (3) can be released for removal from the drawer cabinet (2) and a flap lock (7) provided on this selected drawer (3) can be unlocked.The device according to the invention is characterized in that the flap lock(s) (7) of each such drawer is/are in control communication with the control unit via an electrical contact element (9) provided on the drawer (3), which contact element (9) is electrically connected to a contact counterpart (10) provided in the drawer cabinet (2) when the drawers (3) are in the closed position, and that the flap locks (7) of the drawer (3) are designed as double-acting locks (7) that are movable between an open position and a closed position. The device according to the invention (1) is characterized by a particularly simple design and manufacture, without any loss of function.