Composite Drawer Slide Damper for Longer Service Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping elements for pull-out slides, such as those used in furniture, often have a limited lifespan due to damage from hard edges, and there is a need for a simpler, more durable damping mechanism that can provide effective damping without the high costs and material usage of hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
Innovation Solution
A damping element composed of two materials with different hardnesses, where a softer core is surrounded by a harder material layer, protecting the surface and providing effective damping, and can be easily attached to the rolling element cage or guide rail using fastening means like pegs or locking hooks, allowing for easy retrofitting and adjustable damping properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a soft material damping element is used between the rolling element cage and stop, then effective damping of impact is achieved, but the service life is limited due to damage from hard edges
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is constructed as a composite structure with a soft material core (for damping) surrounded by a harder material layer (for protection). This combines the advantages of both materials: the soft core provides impact damping while the hard outer layer protects against damage from hard edges of the rolling element cage or stop, thereby extending service life.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic or pneumatic damping units are used, then long damping path and gentle braking are achieved, but cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive solid composite damping element instead of complex hydraulic or pneumatic systems. While the damping path is shorter, the element provides sufficient damping for the application and can be easily replaced if needed, offering a cost-effective alternative that reduces system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential damping function from complex hydraulic/pneumatic systems, implementing it through a simple solid composite element. This removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core damping capability needed for the application.
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 composite damping element offers a longer service life and effective damping performance, preventing hard impacts while being cost-effective and easy to integrate into existing pull-out slide systems, with adjustable properties for optimal functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a softer sleeve, e.g. made of rubber, is arranged around a hard metal shank of the rivet, against which the rolling element cage moves, which dampens its striking at the end of a running rail
Implementation Method 2
at least one layer made of a harder material on a core made of a softer material is upset
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a damping element (50) for a drawer slide for damping a stop of a rolling element cage (40) of the drawer slide on a stop (21), which is arranged on a guide rail of the drawer slide. The damping element (50) comprises at least two different materials having different hardness levels, wherein at least one layer made of a harder material is applied to a core (51) made of a softer material. The invention further relates to a drawer slide, in particular for a movable furniture piece, comprising such a damping element.