Foldable Rolling Bearing Cage With Snap Lock for Pull-Out Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling element cages for furniture pull-out guides are limited by their simple geometric shape and require multiple separate work steps for equipping with rolling elements and installation, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A rolling element cage design featuring two separate side walls with radial plug-in locking mechanisms, including bistable leaf spring elements and snap fasteners, allows for easy assembly and precise positioning, preventing unintended loosening and enabling direct installation onto a guide without pre-lubrication issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rolling element cages are designed as one-piece injection molded bodies, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but geometric shape complexity is limited and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element cage is divided into two separate side wall components that can be manufactured independently using simple injection molding processes. Each side wall can be produced as a basic geometric shape, avoiding the complexity constraints of one-piece molding. The segmented design allows each component to be manufactured with simpler tools and processes while reducing overall assembly complexity through the plug-in locking mechanism.
2Shape
If rolling element cages are designed as separate side walls, then geometric shape complexity is improved, but connection stability may worsen without proper locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in locking mechanism is pre-formed as an integrated feature of each side wall component during injection molding. The locking protrusions and receptacles are built into the basic geometric shapes of the side walls before assembly, ensuring that connection stability is achieved without requiring additional stabilization features or complex post-assembly operations. This preliminary incorporation of locking features maintains connection stability while preserving geometric flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate work steps are used for equipping and installation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design combines the equipping of rolling elements and the installation of the cage into a single integrated operation. The separate side walls with plug-in locking mechanisms allow the cage to be assembled and installed on the rail in one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate equipping and installation steps. This merging of operations maintains precision through the self-aligning locking features while dramatically improving productivity by reducing the number of discrete work steps.
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 simplifies the production and installation of rolling element cages, reduces assembly complexity, and allows for targeted lubrication, while preventing connection loosening and reducing component variants through efficient shaping during final assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The bending area has a film hinge, a gap and a bistable leaf spring element
Implementation Method 2
the snap fastener parts consist of a spherical head on one longitudinal edge and of a hollow cylinder on the opposite longitudinal edge, the spherical head being insertable into the hollow cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
The invention relates to a rolling bearing cage (1, 101) for a furniture pull-out guide, comprising at least two side walls (2, 3) with rolling bearing guides (5), wherein the side walls (2, 3) are connected along at least one of the longitudinal edges (10, 11) thereof by at least one flexible region so as to fold relative to one another, wherein the flexible region comprises detent means (6, 107) by means of which the side walls (2, 3) can be locked in a final position forming the rolling bearing cage (1, 101).