Guide rail for a pull-out guide for a drawer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer pull-out guides require increased installation space due to the thickness of guide rails, limiting their compactness and stability, especially when using large material thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a tapered material recess in the angled area between guide rail webs, allowing for stronger angling and reduced material thickness, which enlarges the planar running surfaces for rolling elements, thereby improving stability and load capacity without increasing the guide rail's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large material thicknesses are used in guide rails, then stability and load capacity are improved, but installation space increases due to rounded angled areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and load capacityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is introduced locally at the angled area where compressive stresses occur during bending, rather than uniformly throughout the entire guide rail. This localized material removal allows the angled area to be sharpened without compromising the overall structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the guide rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a rounded angled area (curved geometry) to a sharpened angled area with recess (flat geometry with reduced dimension in the angled region). This dimensional change allows the guide rail to achieve a more compact form factor while maintaining sufficient strength through the strategically placed recess that prevents compression failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If guide rails are made more compact with sharper angled areas, then installation space is reduced, but compressive stresses increase during bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidcompressive stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The recess, which initially appears to weaken the structure by removing material, actually serves to prevent compression failure. By creating a localized reduction in material thickness at the angled area, the recess allows the structure to accommodate sharper angles without developing excessive compressive stresses that would lead to failure during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If rolling elements are widened to distribute forces, then load capacity is improved, but the guide rail size must increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidguide rail size
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is segmented into regions of different material thicknesses - the recess creates a localized thin section at the angled area while maintaining adequate thickness in other regions. This segmentation allows the guide rail to accommodate wider rolling elements for improved load distribution without increasing the overall size of the guide rail, as the recess is confined to a specific localized area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3737263B1Guide rail for a pull-out guide for a drawer
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3737263B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3737263B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3737263B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a pull-out guide (4) for a drawer, comprising at least one guide rail (10), wherein said guide rail (10) comprises an elongate first strut (10a) and at least one elongate second strut (10b) forming an angle with the first strut (10a), wherein the first strut (10a) and the second strut (10b) are interconnected in the longitudinal direction (L) thereof by means of an angled region (23), said angled region (23) having at least one material tapering that extends along the angled region (23) and is formed by a recess (21).