Drawer Guide Rail Flange Recess for Material and Space Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides for drawers require significant metal resources, leading to material inefficiency and space constraints due to screw shavings and protruding screw heads, which hinder attachment and limit cabinet space.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out guide design featuring a vertical fastening flange with strip-shaped sections of reduced wall thickness, allowing for material savings and chip clearance without compromising strength, by incorporating through-holes for screws and recesses for screw heads, eliminating the need for additional space and reducing metallic residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rail with constant wall thickness is used for fastening, then the structural strength is maintained, but significant metal material is consumed and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The rail cross-section is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, featuring thicker sections at the fastening flange for structural strength and thinner sections in the running area for material savings. This local variation in wall thickness allows the rail to have sufficient strength only where needed while reducing overall material consumption.
2Ease of manufacture
If through-holes are provided in a rail with constant wall thickness, then fastening is enabled, but screw shavings accumulate and hinder attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The reduced wall thickness section is strategically positioned to serve dual purposes: it saves material and simultaneously creates a chip collection zone that captures screw shavings during fastening. The shavings naturally accumulate in the thinner section rather than interfering with the fastening process, converting a potential harm into a beneficial chip management solution.
3Volume of stationary object
If countersunk screws are used for fastening, then space within the cabinet body is improved, but embossing in the rail is necessary which complicates manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The rail features a locally reduced wall thickness section that naturally accommodates screw heads without requiring embossing or countersinking. This local modification eliminates complex manufacturing steps while still providing space efficiency within the cabinet body.
4Loss of substance
If a rail with reduced wall thickness section is used, then material savings are achieved, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rail cross-section is optimized with non-uniform wall thickness, maintaining thicker sections at critical fastening areas for structural strength while using thinner sections in non-critical running areas for material savings. This localized approach ensures strength is concentrated where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail is segmented into functional zones with different wall thickness requirements: a fastening flange section with greater thickness for strength and a running section with reduced thickness for material efficiency. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pull-out guide for a drawer, comprising a body rail having a vertical fastening flange for fastening to a furniture body. According to the invention, at least one strip-shaped section with reduced wall thickness is arranged in the fastening flange, in which at least one through-hole for receiving fastening means is provided, characterized in that the strip-shaped section having reduced wall thickness is designed as a recess in the fastening flange, said recess facing the pull-out guide in the installed position.