Drawer Return Mechanism With Low-Force Latching and Quiet Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drawer return devices require a large force to disengage the positioning member from the positioning concave, making it difficult to push the drawer back to its initial position easily and often produce noise due to the elastic and plastic components during the returning motion.
Innovation Solution
A return device with a positioning concave that forms an obtuse angle with the track, featuring a slide block with an arch-shaped top portion and a slope on the pulling member, allowing the slide block to pivot and move easily in and out of the positioning concave, reducing the required force and noise by using an elastic member and a buffering cylinder to control the return motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the positioning concave is designed perpendicular to the sliding direction, then the positioning structure is simple, but a large force is required to disengage the positioning member from the positioning concave
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning concave is designed with an obtuse angle (greater than 90 degrees) relative to the track instead of being perpendicular. This parameter change in the geometric angle allows the slide block to be disengaged from the positioning concave with a smaller force, directly improving the ease of operation when pushing the drawer back.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional elastic members and plastic members are used for returning motion, then the return function is achieved, but noise is produced during the returning motion
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is designed with specific parameters including a pre-compression amount and a free length that is 1.2-1.5 times the distance between the fixing member and the pulling member when the slide block is at the initial position. These parameter optimizations allow the elastic member to provide a softer, more controlled returning force that reduces noise while maintaining reliable return function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the slide block directly engages with the positioning concave, then the positioning is firm, but it produces shock and noise during engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is pre-compressed and positioned between the fixing member and the pulling member before the slide block engages with the positioning concave. This beforehand cushioning absorbs the shock of engagement and provides a gradual, noise-free positioning action while maintaining firm positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the fixing member and the pulling member during the engagement process. It mediates the force transmission, converting direct impact into a gradual compression and expansion cycle that eliminates shock and noise while achieving stable positioning.
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
Enables effortless pushing back of the drawer with a small force and reduces noise and shock during the return motion by allowing smooth sliding of the slide block and utilizing the elastic member to automatically return the drawer to its original position.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic members 13 will be decompressed to push the drawer back to its initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A return device for a drawer employs an actuator to drive a slide block, when the drawer is pulled open, the slide block is moved into a positioning concave and positioned therein while stretching an elastic member. Or pushing the drawer back can make the slide block slide out of the positioning concave, meanwhile, the elastic member pulls the drawer back to its original position. Furthermore, since the angle between the slide surface of the positioning concave of the positioning member and the track is obtuse, it is easy for the slide block to slide in and out, so that the drawer can be easily positioned and unlocked from the positioned state.