Drawer Pull-Out Guide Latching Assembly for Retrofit Self-Closing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pull-out guides for drawers and furniture suffer from the complexity and expense of attaching a self-closing device's activator to the running rail, which can damage the rail and limit retrofitting options.
Innovation Solution
The activator is fixed to the running rail using a latching mechanism with a sealing plug, allowing for easy attachment and retrofitting, and can be designed as a plastic part with precise dimensions for low noise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the activator is firmly connected to the running rail by welding, then the connection is strong and stable, but the appearance and corrosion properties of the running rail are negatively affected and subsequent attachment is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: the running rail, the sealing plug, and the activator. The sealing plug acts as an intermediary component that receives the activator separately and then connects to the running rail, eliminating the need for direct welding between the activator and running rail. This segmentation allows the running rail to remain intact and corrosion-free while still achieving a strong connection through the plug mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug serves as an intermediary component between the activator and the running rail. Instead of directly connecting the activator to the running rail (which would require welding and cause damage), the plug mediates the connection by receiving the activator through a separate attachment process and then connecting to the running rail, thereby protecting the running rail from direct exposure to harmful welding effects.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the activator is pre-attached to the running rail during manufacturing, then the connection is stable, but the manufacturer must decide whether to equip each running rail with an activator and retrofitting is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The activator can be attached to the sealing plug at any time by simply pushing it onto the plug, and the sealing plug itself can be attached to or removed from the running rail. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different needs - the activator can be added during manufacturing or later retrofitted at the customer's site without requiring complex modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The running rail is pre-prepared with the sealing plug attachment features during manufacturing, but the activator attachment is left as a optional subsequent action. The sealing plug is designed with receiving features that allow the activator to be attached later by simple pushing motion. This preliminary preparation of the rail with plug attachment capability enables both immediate use and future retrofitting without requiring different rail designs.
3Strength
If the activator is made of metal, then the connection is strong, but noise generated when the self-closing device is actuated is high
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses composite material construction where the sealing plug is made of plastic and the activator can be made of metal or plastic. The plastic sealing plug acts as a noise-damping material that absorbs and reduces the noise generated during operation, while still maintaining a strong connection. This composite approach combines the strength benefits of metal components with the noise-reduction benefits of plastic materials.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a pull-out guide (1) having a self-retracting device (4) for drawers, furniture pull-outs, or the like, comprising a guide rail (2) that can be attached to the body of furniture, the self-retracting device (4) being mounted on said guide rail, and further comprising a running rail (3) that can be mounted to a drawer, a furniture pull-out or the like, an actuator (5) being attached to said running rail for controlling the self-retracting device (4), wherein the actuator (5) is fixed on the running rail (3) in a locking manner.