Railing strut for a drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing railing struts for drawers are difficult to dismantle, requiring significant force or tools, which complicates maintenance and access.

Innovation Solution

A railing strut design with a movably mounted actuating element that is accessible for manual operation, allowing direct release of the locking mechanism between the strut and the wall element, enabling easy dismantling without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a snap-in connection element with plastic tabs is used to lock the railing brace to the rear wall, then the connection is secure and stable, but removing the railing brace requires considerable force and is relatively difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into a locking element on the railing strut and a corresponding locking feature on the rear wall, allowing independent movement and engagement. The actuating element is separated from the locking element, enabling independent actuation for release without affecting the locking engagement during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the railing strut, transitioning between a locked position (engaged with the rear wall) and a release position (disengaged). This dynamic capability allows the connection to be secure during use but easily released when needed through manual actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a spring-loaded web with a tab is used for detachable connection, then the railing brace can be detached, but a screwdriver and tool are essential to release the lock

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedetachabilityVSAvoidtool requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is designed to be manually operable without requiring external tools. The user can directly actuate the element to release the locking mechanism, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for screwdrivers or other tools for disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element serves multiple functions: it moves the locking element between locked and release positions, provides a manual interface for user operation, and enables both installation and disassembly operations through a single accessible component.

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

3Ease of operation

If the actuating element is made accessible for manual operation, then direct release of the locking mechanism is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual accessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element and locking element are combined into an integrated assembly where the actuating element is movably mounted on the railing strut and directly coupled to the locking element. This merging reduces the need for separate complex mechanisms while providing manual accessibility for release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3727092B1Railing strut for a drawer
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3727092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3727092B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3727092B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a railing strut (13) for a drawer (3). The railing strut (13) has at least one end region for connecting to a wall element (9, 11) of the drawer (3). The railing strut (13) has, in the at least one end region, a locking device, which has at least one locking element (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d), which can be brought into engagement with the wall element (9, 11) in order to lock the railing strut (13). The railing strut (13) has, in addition to the at least one locking element (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d), at least one movably mounted actuation element (21, 21a). The at least one locking element (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) can be moved into a release position by the application of force to the actuation element (21, 21a). When the railing strut (13) is locked to the wall element (9, 11), the locking between the railing strut (13) and the wall element (7, 11) can be released in the release position. When the railing strut (13) is locked to the wall element (9, 11), the at least one actuation element (21, 21a) is accessible to a user for manual actuation and can be directly actuated such that the locking between the railing strut (13) and the wall element (7, 11) can be released by the manual actuation of the actuation element (21, 21a).