Drawer Ejector Sliding Arrangement With Two-Stage Spring Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer mechanisms, particularly those without handles, are difficult to open due to the spring-loaded coupling pieces that require significant energy to tension and can be cumbersome, as they hold the drawer in the closed position and necessitate overcoming a large counterforce during closure.
Innovation Solution
The sliding arrangement is divided into two adjustment paths, where the spring-loaded element accelerates the drawer in the first path, introducing kinetic energy for easy opening, and only requires a short spring deflection for closure, with a damper controlling the closing movement to ensure a smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded coupling piece is used to hold the drawer in the closed position, then the drawer can be securely closed, but significant energy is required to overcome the spring force during opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The total movement path is segmented into two distinct phases: a first adjustment path where the spring element is effective and accelerates the sliding piece, and a second adjustment path where the sliding piece moves without spring loading in a freewheel mechanism. This segmentation allows the spring to provide force only when needed for acceleration, rather than throughout the entire movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed to act only partially during the closing operation, specifically only during the first adjustment path. The spring deflection is kept relatively short and is effective only in the area of the first adjustment path, providing just enough acceleration to initiate movement, rather than requiring the spring to overcome the entire closing path.
2Ease of operation
If a long spring deflection path is used to ensure comfortable drawer gripping, then the drawer can be easily accessed, but the user must put a lot of energy into tensioning the spring during closure
Solution Approach 1:
The movement path is divided into two segments: the first adjustment path where the spring provides acceleration with limited deflection, and the second adjustment path where the sliding piece coasts in a freewheel without spring resistance. This allows the total displacement path to be sufficiently long for comfortable access while the spring only needs to provide force during the shorter first segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring characteristics are optimized by selecting a spring constant c that provides sufficient force during the short first adjustment path while limiting the spring deflection x. The product of spring constant and deflection path is minimized, reducing the energy U = 0.5*c*x² required to tension the spring, while still providing adequate acceleration.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the spring element is held at a stop in a prestressed position at the end of the first travel path, then the spring deflection is shortened reducing closing energy, but the available force must remain sufficient for ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is designed with specific parameters: a spring constant c that is sufficiently large to provide the required ejection force F = c*x during the short first adjustment path, while the spring deflection x is limited to a relatively small value. The spring is held at a stop in a prestressed position that optimizes this balance between force and deflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring provides its full force capability only partially during the first adjustment path, with the spring element being effective only in this initial segment. The prestressed position ensures the spring is pre-loaded to provide maximum force when needed, but the total deflection path is limited to minimize energy storage requirements.
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 design enhances the ease of use by reducing the energy needed to open and close the drawer, allowing for comfortable access and ergonomic operation, especially in handle-less designs, while maintaining a defined partial open position for easy gripping.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (22), in particular a compression spring, which accelerates the sliding piece (21) in a first adjustment path (S1)
Implementation Method 2
a damper (12) that slows down the closing movement
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding arrangement, in particular an ejector device for drawers, sliding doors, hinged doors, etc., having an ejector arrangement with a slider (21) which can be adjusted by means of a spring element (22) between an inserted position and an ejected position. In order to allow the user-friendly opening of the drawer, the invention provides that the slider can be adjusted in a spring-loaded manner on a first adjustment path, and on a following, second adjustment path can be adjusted, without spring-loading, over a free-running extent of the ejector device.