Drawer Slide Interlock Structure for Stronger Locking and Quiet Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interlocking devices for drawers suffer from weak structural strength, leading to breakage and inadequate locking mechanism, as well as noise during drawer closure due to the inability of linkage members to effectively engage and disengage.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking device comprising an elongated outer board, a fixed seat, two linkage members, a middle board, and an inner board, with specific geometric features such as inclined surfaces and rib portions, allowing for strong engagement and disengagement of linkage members to maintain drawer locking and reduce noise during closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuator and clipping arms are made as an integral elastic unitary structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural strength becomes weak and the clipping arms are more likely to be broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuator and clipping arms into separate components rather than an integral structure. The actuator (96) is a独立的 rhombic-shaped component with oblique surfaces, while the clipping arms (971) are separate swayable arms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the actuator for providing mechanical advantage and the clipping arms for engagement, thereby improving overall structural strength while maintaining reasonable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to preliminarily engage with the clipping arms through its oblique surfaces (961, 962) before the drawer is fully pulled out. This preliminary engagement allows the actuator to push the clipping arms toward the linkage members in advance, ensuring proper positioning and force distribution before the main locking action occurs, thereby preventing premature failure.
2Device complexity
If the engaging protrusions are made small and thin to fit into the elongated groove, then the device complexity is reduced, but they are not strong enough to stand the pressing force applied by the actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The clipping arms (971) perform a preliminary action by engaging with the linkage members (93) before the actuators (96, 97) apply the main pressing force. This preliminary engagement positions the engaging protrusions (932) correctly within the elongated groove (901) and prepares the linkage members to receive the force, distributing the load and preventing failure of the small protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The clipping arms (971) act as intermediary components between the actuators (96, 97) and the linkage members (93). Instead of the actuators directly pressing on the small engaging protrusions, the clipping arms transmit and distribute the force, reducing the stress concentration on the protrusions and preventing their failure while maintaining the simple elongated groove structure.
3Device complexity
If the upper linkage member falls off and abuts against the edge of the inner board after the actuator passes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the engaging protrusions won't be able to abut against the edge of the outer board to move the linkage rod
Solution Approach 1:
The clipping arms (971) perform a preliminary engagement action with the linkage members (93) before the actuators (96, 97) complete their motion. This preliminary action ensures that the engaging protrusions (932) are properly positioned against the edge of the outer board (90) in advance, so when the actuators pass, the linkage members are already correctly positioned to move the linkage rod without falling off or misaligning.
Solution Approach 2:
The clipping arms (971) serve as intermediary components that guide and position the linkage members (93) during the actuator's motion. They ensure that the engaging protrusions (932) maintain proper contact with the outer board edge throughout the actuator's passage, preventing the linkage members from falling off or becoming misaligned, thereby ensuring reliable transmission of motion to the linkage rod.
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking device for a drawer slide is provided with an outer board, a fixed seat, two linkage members, a middle board, a restricting member and an inner board. When one of the drawers in a cabinet is pulled toward the first end of the outer board, the inner board will be moved together with the drawer and push the restricting member, the middle board and the actuating block, then the two linkage members are pushed to move in an opposite direction to the Y direction, the two connecting rod are caused to push the linkage members of other interlocking devices, so that the inclined surface of the guiding portion of one of the linkage members of other interlocking devices will be received in the receiving space and abutted against the inclined guiding surface of the actuating block of the middle board to prevent other drawers from being pulled out.