Drawer Guide Spacer Plate Kit for Variable Side Wall Thickness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing furniture pull-out guides require significant production outlay and costs due to the need for multiple guides to accommodate varying side wall thicknesses, and previous solutions, such as adjustable guides, are complex and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising ready-made pull-out guides with preassembled spacer plates, featuring positive and frictional locking mechanisms, allows for easy assembly and adjustment to match different side wall thicknesses, using spacer plates that can be combined and separated as needed to secure the guide rail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If furniture pull-out guides are modified to adapt distances between fastening flanges and guide rail to different clear widths, then the pull-out guides can accommodate varying side wall thicknesses, but the structure becomes complicated and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different side wall thicknessesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the adjustment mechanism into separate components: a standardized pull-out guide and independently selectable spacer plates. The spacer plates are segmented by thickness (e.g., 1mm, 2mm, 3mm) and can be individually selected and combined to achieve the required distance adjustment, eliminating the need for complex integrated adjustment mechanisms in the guide itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer plate acts as an intermediary element positioned between the side wall and the fastening flange of the pull-out guide. This mediator component absorbs the variation in side wall thickness, allowing the standardized pull-out guide to maintain consistent positioning relative to the drawer front regardless of the actual side wall dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different pull-out guides are kept available to accommodate different clear widths, then various side wall thicknesses can be served, but inventory costs and production outlay increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of different furniture dimensionsVSAvoidnumber of different guide types
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal pull-out guide design that can serve multiple functions across different furniture configurations. By standardizing the guide dimensions and providing a separate spacer plate system, a single guide type can be used with various spacer plate combinations to accommodate different side wall thicknesses, eliminating the need to manufacture and stock multiple guide variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer plates are pre-manufactured in different thicknesses and can be pre-selected and pre-assembled with the pull-out guide before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for quick adaptation to different furniture dimensions without requiring complex on-site adjustments or specialized guide types for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If adjustable pull-out guides are designed to compensate for dimensional variations, then standardized pull-out parts can be used, but the production complexity and costs remain high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of standardized pull-out partsVSAvoidadjustable mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment functionality is segmented from the main pull-out guide structure and implemented as separate, simple spacer plate components. This segmentation allows the guide itself to remain a simple, standardized part that is easy to manufacture, while the adjustment capability is provided by the independently produced spacer plates that can be easily added or removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution simplifies and reduces the production costs by enabling the use of standardized pull-out guides that can be easily adapted to various side wall thicknesses, reducing the need for multiple guide types and minimizing production complexity.

Implementation Method 1

frictional locking means being provided to hold the spacer plate on the mounting flange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2427080B1Kit for a furniture drawer pull-out guide
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2427080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2427080B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2427080B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to a kit for a furniture drawer pull-out guide, comprising at least one fastening flange (6) which supports a guide rail (5) and which is connected to a lateral wall (2) of a furniture body (1). Said invention is characterised by the fact that, for compensating the thickness of the lateral part (2), the fastening flange (6) is associated with at least one distancing plate (7 - 9, 17a -17c, 23a - 23b) on which, in the mounted state, the side of the fastening flange (6) which faces away from the guide rail (5) rests.