Drawer with a linear actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture and household appliance drives for moving parts, such as drawers and doors, are often complex, difficult to assemble, and require significant space, especially when using electric motors.
Innovation Solution
A space-saving, easy-to-assemble linear drive system using a rotating drive shaft with rotatable drive rollers that convert rotational motion into linear motion, allowing for precise positioning of drawers through an electric motor and sensor-controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electric drive systems are used for moving drawer parts, then the drawer can be moved with reliable force, but the device becomes complex and requires large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional complex electric drive mechanisms with a simplified system using a rotating drive shaft and friction-driven rollers. Instead of using motors, gearboxes, and complex mechanical linkages, the invention uses a shaft that rotates and frictionally engages rollers to convert rotational motion into linear motion of the drawer, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining drive reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from traditional drive systems. By using a direct friction-based transmission between the rotating shaft and rollers, the patent removes complex mechanical transmissions, bearings, and coupling mechanisms, resulting in a simpler drive system with fewer parts
2Reliability
If traditional electric drive systems are used for moving drawer parts, then the drawer can be moved with reliable force, but the installation space becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky electric motors and gearboxes with a compact rotating shaft and roller system. The friction-based direct drive mechanism requires minimal space compared to traditional electric drive components, allowing the drawer mechanism to be installed in confined spaces while maintaining reliable driving force
Solution Approach 2:
The drive rollers are positioned to engage with the rotating drive shaft in a compact arrangement. The rollers are effectively nested around the shaft, with their axes inclined relative to the shaft axis, allowing the entire drive mechanism to occupy minimal installation space while maintaining structural integrity and driving capability
3Force
If traditional drive mechanisms are used, then sufficient driving force can be achieved, but the assembly becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into simple, modular components: a drive shaft and multiple independent rollers. Each roller can be independently positioned and assembled, making the overall assembly process faster and more straightforward compared to traditional integrated drive mechanisms that require complex alignment and assembly procedures
4Device complexity
If a rotating drive shaft with inclined rollers is used, then the drive mechanism becomes compact and simple, but the mechanism complexity increases due to the inclined roller configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the roller arrangement by inclining the roller axes relative to the drive shaft axis. This angular parameter change allows the rollers to effectively convert rotational motion into linear motion while maintaining a compact design. The inclined configuration is achieved through standard angular bearings and positioning fixtures that are readily manufacturable
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 compact, efficient, and easily assembled drive mechanism that enables precise control of drawer movement with minimal space requirements, reducing complexity and assembly time while ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
Friction between the drive shaft (or a shaft-drive section) and the drive rollers (or a drive roller contact section) causes the rollers to rotate when the drive shaft is turned. This rotation transmits forces and torques from the drive shaft to the pusher unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear drive (16) for the linear movement of a movable part is proposed, wherein the linear drive (16) comprises a drive shaft (20) rotatable about a shaft longitudinal axis with a shaft drive section of the drive shaft (20) and a thrust unit (23) coupling to the movable part, wherein when the drive shaft (20) is rotating, the thrust unit (23) moves in the direction of the shaft longitudinal axis relative to the drive shaft (20).According to the invention, the push unit (23) comprises several rotatable drive rollers (35, 37) each mounted on a bearing element of the push unit (23), wherein the drive rollers (35, 37) have a roller shape and are in contact with the shaft drive section, and the several drive rollers (35, 37) are each rotatable about an associated drive roller axis of rotation, wherein the respective drive roller axis of rotation is inclined to the shaft rotation axis, so that in the drive operation of the linear drive (16) with rotating drive shaft (20), the drive rollers (35, 37) in contact with the shaft drive section can be set into rotation about the respective drive roller axis of rotation.