Adjustable Drawer Slide Detent for Variable Retention Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drawer slide systems with frictional polymer bumpers fail to provide consistent and adjustable retention forces, especially in mobile applications, leading to unintended drawer opening and wear-related issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable detent mechanism with a base, dial, and detent arms that allows for customizable detent forces by rotating an adjustment dial, which flexes detent arms to adjust the resistance between the drawer and cabinet members, eliminating the need for tools and accommodating wear over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If frictional polymer bumpers are used to retain the drawer in the closed position, then the drawer can be easily released when pulled open, but the detent forces are not adjustable and require additional effort to open light-weight drawers in mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable detent mechanism where the retention force can be dynamically changed by the user through rotation of an adjustment dial. This allows the system to adapt to different drawer weights and loading conditions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability by making the detent force variable rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of detent force from a fixed value to an adjustable range. The adjustment dial modifies the physical parameters of the detent mechanism (such as the engagement depth or spring compression) to provide different retention forces, allowing the same mechanism to serve both light and heavy drawers effectively
2Reliability
If high detent forces are used to ensure heavy loaded drawers remain closed, then drawer safety is improved, but additional effort is required to open light-weight drawers
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable detent mechanism allows the retention force to be dynamically optimized for each specific use case. Users can set higher detent forces for heavy loaded drawers to ensure safety and reliability, while lowering the force for light-weight drawers to maintain ease of operation, thus resolving the contradiction through adaptability
3Device complexity
If frictional polymer bumpers are used for detent retention, then the mechanism is simple, but abrasion and wear cause inconsistent detent forces over time without means to adjust for wear
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment dial mechanism allows users to self-service the detent force calibration. When wear occurs in the frictional interface, users can rotate the adjustment dial to compensate for the material loss and restore the original detent force, eliminating the need for complex wear compensation mechanisms while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustability to compensate for parameter changes caused by wear. The adjustment dial modifies the detent mechanism parameters to counteract the effects of abrasion and material subtraction, maintaining consistent detent forces over time without requiring complex replacement or recalibration procedures
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 selective and adjustable control of drawer retention forces, ensuring safety and ease of use by maintaining consistent resistance across varying loads and orientations without requiring frequent adjustments or tool use.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable detent mechanism (100) having a base (110), and a dial (130) positioned on the base (110), the detent mechanism (100) enabling adjustment of a detent force
Implementation Method 2
a frictional interface between an inner member of the slide (i.e., the drawer member) and a fixed rubber or polymer bumper located at the front or rear of the outer member of the slide
Data Source
AI summary
In a slide assembly, an adjustable detent mechanism enables the detent and, therefore, the holding force, between a slide member on a pull-out component and an opposite slide member to be adjusted based on the application and load conditions for the pull-out component. The adjustable detent mechanism may include a base having symmetrically-disposed detent arms and associated legs which interact with respective adjuster cams symmetrically disposed on an adjustment dial. The dial is co-axial with, and is received in, the base, and both are coupled to one of the slide members. The opposite slide member has two symmetrically-disposed retention tabs that interact with respective ones of the detent arms to adjust the holding force between the slide members. The dial's range of rotation may be defined by the interaction between a pin disposed on the base and a rotation restriction guide that is defined through an undersurface of the dial.