Drawer Pull-Out Guide With Expandable Retainer for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides for drawers face limitations in adjustment path, require additional assembly work, and are prone to loosening under lateral forces, making secure fixation and precise alignment challenging.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out guide with a variable projection that uses a spreading mechanism to securely engage with a receptacle on the drawer, eliminating the need for additional assembly and ensuring secure fastening under lateral forces, featuring a slide that can be moved perpendicularly and a device for height and lateral adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a retaining pin with a bearing part is used for adjustment, then the drawer can be aligned, but the adjustment path is limited and the mechanism requires practice for fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is biased towards the drawer by a spring, enabling self-alignment during assembly. The drawer can be moved to the projection so that it is inserted into the receptacle automatically, eliminating the need for skilled fitting practice
Solution Approach 2:
The projection shape is variable via a spreading mechanism that allows the projection to be widened within the receptacle. The spreadable structure transitions from a narrow insertable form to a widened secured form, providing both ease of insertion and secure fixation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retaining pin with bearing part is used, then adjustment is possible, but higher lateral forces can loosen the adjustment device
Solution Approach 1:
The projection can be widened within the receptacle via the spreading mechanism to engage with the receptacle walls. This dynamic expansion provides secure fixation that resists lateral forces while maintaining adjustment capability through the spreadable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The shape of the projection is changed from a narrow form to a widened form within the receptacle. This parameter change in the projection's cross-sectional dimensions provides both ease of insertion and secure fixation against lateral forces
3Manufacturing precision
If an adjusting device with retaining pin engaging drawer-mounted device is used, then adjustment is possible, but additional assembly work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device includes both the spreading mechanism and the projection as integrated components. This merging eliminates the need for separate drawer-mounted devices and reduces assembly steps to a single insertion and spreading operation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased projection automatically aligns and inserts into the receptacle during assembly. The spreading mechanism is activated simultaneously to secure the projection, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations on the drawer
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed projection is used, then assembly is simple, but lateral play is increased and secure fastening under lateral forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projection transitions from a narrow insertable shape to a widened secured shape within the receptacle via the spreading mechanism. This dynamic shape change provides both ease of assembly and precise positioning with minimal lateral play
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the projection are changed from narrow to wide within the receptacle. This parameter change enables simple insertion followed by secure fixation that reduces lateral play and ensures stable drawer positioning
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 precise alignment and secure fastening of the drawer, reducing gaps and allowing for visually appealing panel arrangements without additional assembly, while maintaining stability under higher lateral forces.
Implementation Method 1
the projection is biased towards the drawer by a spring
Implementation Method 2
The spreading mechanism can include a slide, one section of which tapers in the shape of a wedge towards the projection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pull-out guide for a drawer (3), comprising a guide rail able to be secured to a furniture carcass, and a displaceable running rail (2), it being possible to provide, optionally, at least one central rail between said guide rail and running rail (2), a retainer device being provided on said running rail (2) by means of which the drawer (3) can be secured to the running rail (2), and said retainer device comprising a protrusion (5) which can be inserted into a receiving portion (4) on said drawer (3) and the shape of which (5) can be modified by means of an expansion mechanism.