Drawer Retractor Layout for Angled Rail Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retraction devices for drawers with pull-out guides having an inlet slope face issues with unwanted decoupling or jamming due to the rear inlet slope, requiring complex inclined assembly to compensate for the slope, which complicates installation.
Innovation Solution
The retraction device's linear travel path is angled relative to the housing orientation, allowing horizontal mounting on furniture with a grid of holes for easy fastening, and includes a damping device like a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit to manage movement, ensuring the device can be securely attached without manual complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retraction device is mounted with an incline to compensate for the run-in slope, then decoupling and jamming are prevented, but installation complexity increases and manual alignment is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inclining the housing to compensate for the run-in slope, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the housing horizontal and inclining the driver's travel path. The driver moves along an angled linear travel path that parallels the run-in slope, while the housing remains horizontally mounted using standard alignment guides and grid holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the housing orientation function from the driver movement function. The housing provides horizontal mounting with alignment guides, while the driver independently follows an angled linear travel path within the housing. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
2Ease of operation
If the driver follows the run-in slope angle, then smooth engagement is achieved, but the housing cannot be mounted horizontally with standard alignment guides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dimensional separation between the housing's horizontal mounting plane and the driver's angled movement path. The linear travel path is inclined at an angle (e.g., 2°-8°) relative to the horizontal housing, allowing the driver to follow the run-in slope while the housing remains horizontally aligned with standard grid holes.
3Ease of operation
If a damping device is added to control drawer movement, then smooth closing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is integrated into the existing retraction device structure rather than being added as a separate external component. The damping mechanism works in conjunction with the spring-loaded driver and linear travel path to provide controlled, smooth drawer closing without requiring additional mounting space or complex external mechanisms.
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
This solution simplifies the installation of retraction devices by allowing horizontal mounting and compensating for the pull-out guide's slope, preventing decoupling and jamming while providing a smooth, damped closing mechanism for drawers.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded driver for applying force to the drawer or the rail of the drawer extension guide
Implementation Method 2
a damping device is provided, by means of which a movement of the driver can be damped
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a retracting device (9) for moving a drawer (3) or for moving a rail (6) of a drawer pull-out guide (4) into the closed final position relative to a furniture body (2), comprising a housing (9a) having an orientation line (A), which is used to install the retracting device (9) horizontally on a furniture body (2), wherein a spring-loaded carrier (11) for applying force to the drawer (3) or to the rail (6) of the drawer pull-out guide (4) is supported in or on the housing (9a) so as to be movable at least in some sections along a linear travel path (12), wherein the carrier (11) can be detachably coupled to the drawer (3) or to the rail (5, 6) of the drawer pull-out guide (4), wherein the linear travel path (12) of the carrier (11) extends at angle to the orientation line (A) of the housing (9a).