Drawer slide guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

The side stability of drawer extensions is compromised as the drawer is pulled out further from the furniture corpus, leading to increased lateral movement and a less stable impression.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one guide rail with a lead that allows the guide body to rest on it in the fully extended position, reducing side play by utilizing a lead embossing or attachment on the guide rail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the drawer is pulled out further from the furniture corpus, then the drawer extension range is improved, but the lateral stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer extension rangeVSAvoidlateral stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is divided into multiple sections: a first guide rail portion that guides the drawer rail in the retracted state, and a second guide rail portion that guides the drawer rail in the extended state. This segmentation allows different guide portions to address different stability requirements at different extension positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a lateral projection that extends in the lateral direction from the guide rail. This adds a dimensional element that provides lateral guidance and stability when the drawer is fully extended, preventing lateral play without restricting the longitudinal extension movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If specially shaped guide rails and rollers are used for lateral guidance, then the lateral stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidguide rail structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire guide rail complex, the invention adds a localized lateral projection only at the position where lateral guidance is needed (when the drawer is fully extended). This local modification provides the necessary stability without complicating the overall guide rail structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral guidance function is merged with the existing guide rail structure by adding a projection to it, rather than introducing a separate lateral guidance mechanism. This combines multiple functions (longitudinal guidance and lateral stability) into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple guide bodies spaced apart are mounted, then the lateral play in longitudinal direction is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral play reductionVSAvoidnumber of guide bodies
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide body is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides longitudinal guidance along the guide rail and simultaneously provides lateral stability when it engages with the lateral projection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral projection is pre-positioned on the guide rail at a specific location. When the drawer is extended to this position, the guide body automatically engages with the projection to provide lateral stability, preparing the system in advance for the extended state without requiring active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3838069B1Drawer slide guide
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3838069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3838069B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

Drawer extension guide (4), comprising: - a first guide rail (11) and at least a second guide rail (10), which are slidably mounted relative to each other in a longitudinal direction (L) of the guide rails (10, 11) between a closed position and an open position, - at least one guide body (23a) mounted between the guide rails (10, 11), by which the guide rails (10, 11) can be guided in a lateral direction relative to each other in a mounting position of the drawer extension guide (4), wherein at least one of the guide rails (10, 11) has at least one projection (24a) which, in the open position of the guide rails (10, 11), bears against the at least one guide body (23a), so that, at least in that area in which the at least one guide body (23a) and the at least one projection (24a) bear against each other, the guide rails (10, 11) are arranged without play relative to each other in the lateral direction.