Guide Rail Clip Fastening for Tilt-Proof Single-Rod Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide rails with quick-fastening devices struggle to securely attach to horizontally running rods of angled grid-like side parts without tilting, particularly in household appliances like ovens and dishwashers, as they lack effective fixation mechanisms for single rods.

Innovation Solution

The guide rail features two retaining elements with longitudinal and angled holding sections that enclose the rod, allowing secure attachment by partially gripping both the longitudinal and angled areas, preventing tilting and enabling easy installation without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a guide rail is equipped with quick-fastening devices that can be fixed to two superimposed rods, then the guide rail is prevented from pivoting about the longitudinal axis, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-pivoting stabilityVSAvoidfastening device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into two independent retaining elements (front and rear), each capable of fastening to a single rod. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in structure while collectively providing stable anti-pivoting when both engage their respective rods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements act as intermediaries between the guide rail and the rods. Each retaining element has a specific geometry with holding sections that engage the rod, creating a mechanical intermediary that transfers and stabilizes the connection without requiring complex integrated mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a guide rail is firmly connected to the supporting base, then twisting is prevented, but the adaptability to different rod configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-twisting stabilityVSAvoidrod configuration adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the guide rail and supporting base is made detachable rather than fixed. The retaining elements can be quickly attached and detached from the rods, allowing the guide rail to be dynamically repositioned or reconfigured while maintaining stability during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements are designed with universal applicability to work with rods of standard dimensions. The holding sections can engage with rods in various configurations (single rod, dual superimposed rods, different positions), making the guide rail adaptable to multiple rod arrangements while maintaining anti-twisting stability

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

3Reliability

If quick-fastening devices are designed to securely attach to angled end regions of rods, then fixation reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to alignment difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining elements are pre-positioned on the guide rail with their holding sections oriented to naturally engage the angled end regions of the rods. The geometry is designed so that when the guide rail is approached, the holding sections automatically align with and engage the rod's angled end, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements feature asymmetric geometry with holding sections specifically shaped to match the angled end regions of the rods. This asymmetric design creates a natural guiding effect where the holding section engages the angled rod end in a specific orientation, ensuring reliable fixation while simplifying the insertion motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP1982122B1Guide rail comprising a rapid fixing device
Publication Date: 2014.11.05 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1982122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1982122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1982122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a guide rail (1), which can be fixed to horizontal bars (3) comprising angled end regions (3a, 3b) on a grid-type side part (2) of an oven, a dishwasher or similar appliances and which has a rapid fixing device, consisting of two retaining elements (4a, 4b) that are fixed in the end region of the guide rail and that can be detachably fixed to a bar (3) on the grid-type side part (2). According to the invention, both the front and the rear retaining element (4a, 4b) have respective first and second clip-type retaining sections (40a, 40b, 41a, 41b), the first partially encompassing the longitudinal extension of a bar (3) and the second partially encompassing the angled end regions (3a, 3b) of said bar (3). The retaining section (41b) of the rear retaining element (4b) is open towards the rear of the guide rail (1), allowing the rail (1) with its rapid fixing device to be pushed and fixed onto one of the bars (3) from the front of the grid-type side part (2).