Drawer glide mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Epoxy glides in drawer mechanisms often result in rough, uneven movement due to single rollers and loose fits, while ball bearing glides are costly and labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for mass production in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, where dimensional tolerances are not precise and drawers may be warped.

Innovation Solution

A drawer glide mechanism combining a v-notch socket with a ball bearing component and adjustable floating and fixed members, allowing for smooth operation and easy alignment of misshapen drawers, using a lightweight and cost-effective design suitable for thin paneling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If epoxy glides with single rollers are used, then cost is reduced, but drawer movement becomes rough and uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoiddrawer movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rolling mechanism from single rollers to multiple ball bearings (typically 3-5 per guide member), fundamentally altering the contact parameters between moving parts. This parameter change transforms the drawer movement from rough and uneven to smooth and consistent, while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of simple ball bearing components rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If ball bearing guide members with two-piece sockets are used, then drawer movement smoothness is improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer movement smoothnessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the drawer glide mechanism into distinct functional components: guide members with ball bearings for smooth movement, and separate v-notch sockets for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled straightforwardly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining smooth drawer operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive ball bearings and v-notch sockets that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These components are designed to be cost-effective rather than durable luxury items, using basic materials and straightforward geometries that minimize manufacturing cost while achieving the desired smooth drawer movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If ball bearing guide members with two-piece sockets are used, then drawer movement smoothness is improved, but device complexity and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer movement smoothnessVSAvoidsocket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mounting function into a single integrated v-notch socket component rather than using separate two-piece sockets with multiple fasteners. This single-piece socket design simplifies the overall device structure, reduces the number of parts to manage, and maintains smooth drawer movement through proper ball bearing integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If v-notch socket with ball bearing component is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but alignment of misshapen drawers becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidalignment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable elements within the guide members that allow for dynamic alignment adjustments during installation. This adaptability enables the mechanism to accommodate misshapen or warped drawers while maintaining smooth operation, all within the cost-effective single-piece socket design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 cost-effective, smooth, and adjustable drawer glide mechanism that compensates for warping and misalignment, reducing manufacturing costs and labor while ensuring consistent drawer movement in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

Implementation Method 1

a ball bearing component comprising a plurality of ball bearings between the first and second elongate guide members configured to permit movement of the second elongate guide member relative the first elongate guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS11259633B2Drawer glide mechanism

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 AMERICAN WOODMARK MANAGEMENT CO

AI summary

A drawer glide mechanism can include a first elongate guide member, a second elongate glide member, a ball bearing component, and a v-notch socket. The first elongate guide member includes a distal end that is configured to fit within an opening in the v-notch socket. The drawer glide mechanism can further include one or more floating members and fixed members.