Drawer Guide Rail Interlocking Mechanism to Reduce Hinge Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer interlocking systems are prone to wear and damage due to repeated movement, leading to malfunction and inability to open drawers.

Innovation Solution

A drawer guide rail with an interlocking function featuring a guide rail assembly, interlocking components, including a fixing mechanism, toggle mechanism, and interlocking linkage members, which allow only one drawer to be opened at a time, enhancing structural stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the interlocking piece rotates along the hinge shaft with independent installation, then the interlocking function is achieved, but the hinge shaft and interlocking piece wear off or get damaged due to repeated movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterlocking functionVSAvoidservice life of hinge shaft
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hinge shaft with the mounting plate by directly forming the hinge shaft on the mounting plate surface, eliminating the need for separate hinge shaft installation. This integration reduces the number of independent components and connection points, thereby reducing wear and damage risks associated with repeated movement of independently installed hinge shafts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the hinge shaft is independently installed on the mounting plate, then the interlocking piece can rotate freely, but the repeated movement causes wear and damage leading to stuck interlocking pieces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation of interlocking pieceVSAvoidinterlocking mechanism stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge shaft is directly formed on the mounting plate surface as an integral structure, merging two previously separate components. This integration maintains the rotational functionality of the interlocking piece while eliminating wear at the connection interface, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the interlocking mechanism over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If all drawers are controlled by one lockset, then the locking mechanism is simple, but all drawers must be closed before locking which reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanismVSAvoiddrawer opening convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the locking control into individual drawer units, with each drawer having its own interlocking piece that can independently engage or disengage. This segmentation allows any single drawer to be opened or closed without requiring all other drawers to be in a specific position, thereby improving operational convenience while maintaining relatively simple individual locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4417775A1Drawer guide rail with interlocking function
Publication Date: 2024.08.21
  • EP4417775A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4417775A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4417775A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application discloses a drawer guide rail with an interlocking function, and relates to the technical field of drawer guide rails. The drawer guide rail with interlocking function comprises a cabinet, at least three drawers arranged up and down on the cabinet, and a guide rail assembly arranged on an outer wall of each drawer. The guide rail assembly comprises an inner rail that drives the drawer to slide, an outer rail that is fixed on the cabinet, and a middle rail that connects the inner rail and the outer rail. The guide rail assembly is provided with an interlocking component with an interlocking function; The interlocking component comprises a fixing mechanism fixed on the outer rail, a toggle mechanism fixed on the inner rail, and at least one upper and lower interlocking linkage members inserted at one end of the fixing mechanism.