Drawer Slide Carriage With Load-Relieving Support Rollers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer slides subject rolling elements to uneven load distribution and mechanical stress, leading to deformation and premature wear, especially when the drawer is stationary, which affects the running behavior and service life.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a common carriage design where rolling elements are relieved of load in the closed position by a support body, allowing for smaller diameter rolling and support bodies, ensuring even load distribution and preventing deformation, while the support body does not influence the running behavior in the open position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rolling elements are used to support the drawer in the closed position, then the drawer can be supported stably, but the rolling elements are subjected to high mechanical stress leading to deformation and premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer stability in closed positionVSAvoidservice life of rolling elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between two distinct components: rolling elements for movement and a support body for load-bearing in the closed position. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the rolling elements from bearing excessive static load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support body is introduced as an intermediary component between the drawer and the rolling elements. This support body absorbs the load in the closed position, acting as a mediator that protects the rolling elements from high mechanical stress while maintaining support stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a load-transmitting element is mounted on the front arm of the carriage to relieve rolling elements in the closed state, then the rolling elements are protected from deformation, but the construction becomes bulky and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of rolling elements from deformationVSAvoidcarriage construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is integrated directly into the carriage structure, merging the support function with the existing carriage design. This eliminates the need for separate load-transmitting elements mounted on front arms, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the load-relief function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the rolling elements for movement, incorporates the support body for load-bearing in the closed position, and maintains a compact structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components.

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

3Reliability

If rollers are moved into recesses in the stationary rail to relieve weight in the closed position, then the rollers are protected from load, but a relatively large force is required to open the pull-out device and installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of rollers from weight forceVSAvoidforce required to open the pull-out device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is designed to dynamically transfer the load from the rolling elements to itself as the carriage moves into the closed position. This dynamic load transfer mechanism eliminates the need for fixed recesses that require forceful roller repositioning, allowing smooth opening and closing motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design reduces rolling resistance, provides uninterrupted transitions between positions, and allows for shorter, cost-effective carriage designs, distributing weight forces more evenly and extending the service life of the drawer slide.

Implementation Method 1

at least two, in particular three or more, rolling elements (18a, 18b) and at least one support body (19a, 19b, 19c), which are movably mounted on a common carriage (27)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3096649B1Drawer pull-out guide
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3096649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096649B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096649B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Drawer pull-out guide (4) comprising: - a carcass rail (5), which can be fastened on a furniture carcass (2), - at least one pull-out rail (6, 7), which is mounted such that it can be displaced relative to the carcass rail (5) between a closed position and an open position, - at least one rolling-contact body (18a, 18b) and at least one supporting body (19a, 19b), which are mounted such that, upon movement of the pull-out rail (6, 7), they can be moved along a runway (22) of the carcass rail (5) and a running surface (23a, 23b) of the pull-out rail (6, 7), - a clearance (17a, 17b, 17c) which is arranged on the runway (22) of the carcass rail (5), and/or a clearance (17a, 17b, 17c) which is arranged on the running surface (23a, 23b) of the pull-out rail (6, 7), and in which the at least one rolling-contact body (18a, 18b) is accommodated in the closed position of the pull-out rail (6, 7) and, in the process, is relieved of the load of the pull-out rail (6, 7), and wherein, in the closed position of the pull-out rail (6, 7), the load of the pull-out rail (6, 7) is absorbed by the at least one supporting body (19a, 19b), wherein the at least one rolling-contact body (18a, 18b) and the at least one supporting body (19a, 19b) are arranged in a joint carriage (27).