Sliding Drawer Rail Latching for Secure Push-to-Open Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer opening and closing devices often fail to securely guide the drawer into a closed position due to unintentional opening and incorrect actuations caused by tolerances and direct latching mechanisms, leading to incomplete closure and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

An opening and closing device that combines an ejection device and a self-closing device, where the ejection device moves the running rail against the self-closing device's force to ensure secure closure, and the ejection device is charged mechanically during the closing movement, allowing for independent force selection and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an ejection device latches directly in the closed position, then the drawer can be ejected from closed position, but the drawer may be unintentionally opened and incorrect actuations can occur due to tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection functionVSAvoidclosure security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closing device is divided into two independent latching mechanisms: a first latching mechanism for securing the drawer in the closed position, and a second latching mechanism for enabling ejection. This segmentation allows each mechanism to perform its specific function reliably without interference from tolerances affecting both mechanisms simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A running rail acts as an intermediary element that connects the drawer to both latching mechanisms. The running rail transmits forces and movements between the drawer, the first latching mechanism, and the second latching mechanism, enabling coordinated operation while isolating the drawer from direct tolerance effects of the latching points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the ejection device provides strong ejection force, then the drawer can be easily opened, but the energy store must be larger requiring more space and force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening easeVSAvoidenergy store size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic force application where the second latching mechanism provides ejection force only when needed (when the drawer is to be opened), rather than maintaining constant high force. The energy store is charged during the closing movement and releases energy dynamically during opening, optimizing the balance between opening ease and energy store size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection function operates periodically rather than continuously. The energy store is charged during the closing phase and discharged during the opening phase, creating a periodic cycle of energy storage and release that reduces the average energy requirements compared to continuous high-force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the running rail is moved outside the effective range of the self-closing device, then the energy store can be charged independently, but the charging area must be positioned at a distance from the self-closing device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent force selectionVSAvoidcharging area distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging mechanism utilizes the movement dimension of the running rail outside the self-closing device's effective range. By positioning the second latching mechanism's energy store charging area in a different spatial zone (outside the self-closing device's influence zone), independent force selection is achieved without requiring excessive distance, as the charging occurs in a different operational dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 ensures the drawer is securely guided and held in the closed position, allowing for easy opening and closing movements without unintentional opening, and provides a handleless design with reliable actuation, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

the ejection device has an energy store, the force of which is greater than the force of an energy store of the self-closing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy store: Mechanical Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

a spring of the ejection device is tensioned and fixed via a latching mechanism. To unlock the locking mechanism, the drawer is pushed in against the force of the spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2174572B1Opening and closing device for a sliding element

Publication Date: 2012.04.18 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG

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Figure 2A~2N
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The opening and closing device has a drawing guide which has a guide rail that is mounted on a furniture body (2). A runner rail is moved on the guide rail or a central rail between an opening position and a closing position. An activator is provided at the runner rail, where an ejector is provided for moving the runner rail with a pushing element (3) during releasing from the closing position to the opening position against the force of a self-closing device. The activator is coupled in the area of the closing position with the self-closing device.