Drawer Slide Sheet Metal Profile with Multi-Step Web Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing sheet metal profiles for drawer slides are limited, as they can only form flanges from the edge of the sheet metal with smaller thicknesses, making them unsuitable for various applications, and there is a lack of disclosure on manufacturing sheet metal profiles or drawer slides using these methods.

Innovation Solution

A method to produce sheet metal profiles for drawer slides by laterally protruding webs from a flat surface, where the web is initially squeezed out and then reduced in width and increased in height through multiple process steps, allowing for customizable dimensions suitable for specific applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flange is formed from sheet metal edge using conventional method, then flange can be produced, but flange thickness is smaller than starting sheet metal thickness and flange can only be formed at edge area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb formation location flexibilityVSAvoidweb dimension control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary squeezing of the web protrusion before final dimensioning. In the first method step, the web is squeezed out to create a protrusion with desired lateral extension. Subsequent method steps then refine this protrusion to achieve the precise final dimensions. This preliminary action allows the web to be formed at any location on the flat surface while maintaining dimensional precision through controlled subsequent deformation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing process is divided into multiple sequential method steps. The first step creates the web protrusion by squeezing material laterally, and subsequent steps independently adjust the web's width and height through additional squeezing operations. This segmentation of the forming process enables precise control over final web dimensions while maintaining flexibility in web location on the sheet metal profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If web is squeezed out and then squeezed together in multiple steps, then web width is reduced and height is increased to desired dimensions, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb dimension controlVSAvoidnumber of process steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method systematically changes geometric parameters of the web through controlled material deformation. By applying squeezing forces in specific directions during different method steps, the process transforms the web from an initial protrusion state to a final state with precisely controlled width and height. This parameter control is achieved through progressive deformation that reduces width while simultaneously increasing height, allowing exact dimensional specification despite multiple process steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enables the production of sheet metal profiles with desired width and height parameters, suitable for use in drawer slides, overcoming the limitations of existing techniques by allowing web formation anywhere on the sheet metal surface and adapting dimensions as needed.

Implementation Method 1

at least one web that protrudes laterally, in particular vertically, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal strand, is squeezed out of at least one flat surface of a sheet metal strand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

the at least one web is squeezed together in at least one further method step, preferably in 10 to 15 further method steps, is reduced in width and increased in height

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2919620B1Method for producing a sheet metal profile for a drawer pull-out guide and sheet metal profile produced thereby and drawer pull-out guide produced thereby
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2919620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2919620B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2k
  • EP2919620B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a sheet metal profile (1, 32, 33, 37, 40), in particular consisting of steel, for a drawer pull-out guide (2) having at least one web (5, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42) projecting laterally, in particular perpendicularly, from a flat surface (3, 43, 44, 45) of the sheet metal profile (1, 32, 33, 37, 40) and extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the sheet metal profile (1, 32, 33, 37, 40), wherein, in a first method step, from at least one flat surface (3, 43, 44, 45) of a sheet metal billet (6) there is extruded at least one web (5, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42) projecting laterally, in particular perpendicularly and extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the sheet metal billet (6), and in at least one further method step, preferably in 10 to 15 further method steps, the at least one web (5, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42) is squeezed together, i.e. is reduced in width (7) and increased in height (8). The invention further relates to a sheet metal profile produced in this manner and to a drawer pull-out guide that comprises such a profile.