Drawer Locking Bar With Blocking Unit to Prevent Ejection Jamming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional locking systems for pull-out furniture parts often experience undesirable blockages or snagging when the ejection device is triggered, preventing drawers from being opened even after unlocking the central locking system due to jammed pins.

Innovation Solution

A locking system with a blocking unit on the locking bar that prevents displacement against the ejection direction, ensuring the ejection device is not triggered when the locking bar is pushed into a locking position, and incorporating a spring element to maintain the blocking unit in a relaxed state unless the locking bar is locked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ejection device is combined with the locking system, then the drawer can be ejected when locked, but the pins of the locking system become jammed in the locking rod preventing subsequent opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection functionVSAvoidlocking system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking unit is designed to preemptively prevent the harmful action (pin jamming) before it can occur. When the locking bar is in the locking position, the blocking unit proactively blocks the second driver from moving against the ejection direction, thereby preventing the ejection process from being triggered and the pins from becoming jammed in the locking rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking unit acts as an intermediary element between the second driver and the locking bar. It mediates the interaction by selectively allowing or preventing movement of the second driver based on the position of the locking bar, thereby controlling whether the ejection device can be activated without causing pin jamming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the locking bar is pushed into the locking position, then the furniture parts are locked, but the ejection device may be triggered causing pin blockage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidlocking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking unit is integrated with the locking bar as a single combined structure. The blocking elements are directly formed on or attached to the locking bar, merging the locking function and the blocking function into one unified component, thereby preventing ejection device activation without requiring a completely separate mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking bar serves multiple functions: it provides the locking action when pushed into the locking position, and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for the blocking elements that prevent ejection device activation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

3Reliability

If blocking elements are provided for each furniture part, then individual blocking is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking reliabilityVSAvoidblocking unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking unit is segmented into multiple blocking elements, with each blocking element corresponding to a specific pull-out furniture part. This segmentation allows each element to independently block the second driver of its associated furniture part, providing reliable individual blocking while maintaining a modular structure that is easier to manufacture and integrate.

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

Prevents movement of furniture parts against the ejection direction when the locking bar is locked, preventing ejection device activation and ensuring reliable operation by avoiding pin jamming and allowing synchronized operation of multiple drawers.

Implementation Method 1

The blocking element is preferably held in the relaxed state via a spring element in a position in which the second driver in the housing can be displaced counter to the ejection direction of the furniture part.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2354393B1Closing system for extractable pieces of furniture and furniture
Publication Date: 2013.04.03 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2354393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2354393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2354393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A locking system for pull-out furniture parts (1) has a locking bar (5, 5') for locking a plurality of pull-out furniture parts (1) arranged one above the other, for at least one pull-out furniture part (1) a driver (22) mounted displaceably in a housing (23), 25) an ejection device (21) which can be coupled to an activator (7, 8) arranged on the at least one furniture part (1), the ejection device (21) being designed in such a way that an ejection process is triggered by a displacement of the driver ( 22) counter to the ejection direction (x) and/or a driver (22, 25) which is movably mounted in the housing (23) and which can be coupled to an activator (7, 8) arranged on the furniture part (1) and which via a the pin (29) protruding from the side of the driver (25) facing the locking bar (5) is in operative connection with the locking bar (5), at least one blocking unit (4, 6) being arranged on the locking bar (5, 5'), which, when the locking strip (5, 5') is pushed into a locking position, blocks a displacement of the furniture parts (1) against the ejection direction (x) of the furniture part (1) and thus triggering an ejection process by the ejection device (21).