Drawer Slide Closing Mechanism With Rectilinear Guide Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic closing mechanisms for slide tracks of drawers suffer from issues such as guide rod fractures, slanted spring stretching, and abnormal disengagement leading to loss of automatic returning function due to L-shaped guide tracks and elevational differences, as well as prone to bendable catch fractures.
Innovation Solution
An automatic closing mechanism featuring a guide member with a rectilinear and arrow portion guide track, a connection member with a swing part and hook stopper, and a bendable member that maintains rectilinearity during operation, preventing guide rod fractures and ensuring proper engagement and disengagement, with a hydraulic buffer to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an L-shaped guide track with rectilinear and arcuate portions is used to enable automatic closing, then the drawer can return to closed position automatically, but the guide rod fractures due to excessive pulling force at the arcuate portion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track shape is changed from L-shaped (rectilinear + arcuate) to a different configuration that reduces the pulling force on the guide rod, thereby preventing fracture while maintaining the automatic closing function
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member is divided into separate components: a driven slide that moves linearly and a swing part that pivots independently. This segmentation allows the guide rod to remain straight and avoid the excessive forces that caused fracture in the integrated L-shaped design
2Extent of automation
If an L-shaped guide track with elevational difference between rectilinear and arcuate portions is used, then the drawer can achieve automatic closing, but the spring stretching becomes slanted and the returning function is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is segmented into a driven slide for linear motion and a separate swing part for pivotal motion. This separation eliminates the need for elevational changes in the guide track, keeping the spring stretching aligned and rectangular throughout the closing motion
Solution Approach 2:
The swing part introduces a rotational degree of freedom that separates the linear guiding function from the angular adjustment function, eliminating the need for vertical elevation changes and maintaining proper spring alignment
3Reliability
If a bendable catch is added to prevent abnormal disengagement, then the tiltable member and pin member can remain engaged, but the bendable catch fractures under vertical squeeze and the automatic returning function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The bendable catch component is completely removed from the design. Instead, a hook stopper with engaged teeth provides the necessary retention function without the structural weaknesses of a bendable catch
Solution Approach 2:
The swing part with its hook slot provides a durable, reusable engagement mechanism that eliminates the need for sacrificial bendable catches that fracture under load
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 mechanism effectively prevents guide rod fractures, maintains rectilinear motion for efficient automatic closing, and corrects abnormal conditions, enhancing the reliability and durability of the automatic closing function.
Implementation Method 1
a bendable member whose both ends are connected with the driven slide and an article of furniture, respectively... when the drawer is being pulled outward, the bendable member is stretched... when the drawer is being inserted inward, the bendable member contracts
Implementation Method 2
a swing part pivotedly connected on the front of the driven slide... the swing part rotates to press against the slant wall of the arrow portion, the swing part is retained thereon and thus points downward
Implementation Method 3
with a hydraulic buffer to prevent damage
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic closing mechanism for a slide track of a drawer according to present invention comprises a guide member, a connection member, a bendable member, and a hook stopper; the connection member is disposed on the inner wall of a furniture article and the hook stopper is disposed on the outer wall of another article in the opposite direction, and when the other object being pulled outward, the bendable member is stretched to render the guide rod contacting the outer edge of the arrow portion, the swing part rotates to press against the slant wall of the arrow portion, the swing part is retained thereon and thus points downward, and the hook stopper is disengaged and thus separated from the engagement of the swing part; and when the other object is being inserted inward, the engaged tooth of the contacts the hook stopper and the inner wall of the hook slot of the swing part at the arrow portion and is accommodated there to disengage therefrom, and thus the bendable member contracts and in turn drives the connection member and the hook stopper to move along the rectilinear portion and return to the final location.