Integrated Sliding Arrangement for Reliable Soft-Closing Drawers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding arrangements for drawers and sliding doors lack high operating safety, particularly in handle-less designs, as they do not ensure reliable mechanical adjustments and can result in hard impacts during closure.

Innovation Solution

A sliding arrangement with a structural unit that includes adjustable mounting on furniture parts, a tilting element for easy connection, and a spring-loaded actuating element with a freewheel mechanism for controlled operation, allowing for precise adjustment and safe operation by coupling the ejection and retraction devices through a displaceable actuating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sliding arrangement is used in handle-less drawers, then ease of operation is improved, but operating safety deteriorates due to lack of mechanical adjustment control and risk of hard impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidoperating safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a mechanical feedback system through the actuating element that provides tactile and positional feedback to the user. The actuating element moves between defined positions (retracted, intermediate, parked) and can be felt by the user, allowing intuitive control without visual confirmation or handles. This feedback mechanism ensures the user understands the state of the sliding arrangement while maintaining operating safety through controlled mechanical sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic mechanical components including a tilting element that pivots between blocked and released positions, and an actuating element that transitions between multiple positions. These dynamic elements enable the system to adapt its mechanical state based on operational phase, providing both ease of operation and safety through controlled movement sequences rather than static mechanical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for slide-out and retraction devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to guarantee

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the slide-out arrangement and retraction device into a single integrated structural unit mounted on one furniture part. The coupling part serves both the slide-out mechanism and the retraction device, while the actuating element controls both functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies assembly, and allows factory pre-adjustment of the entire mechanism, guaranteeing reliable operation while maintaining adaptability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating element serves multiple functions: it controls the coupling between slide-out and retraction devices, provides mechanical feedback, and enables both extension and retraction operations. The coupling part also serves dual purposes by connecting both the slide-out arrangement and retraction device. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the adaptability needed for different operational phases.

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

3Ease of operation

If the actuating element is spring-loaded in the parked position, then ease of operation is improved through automatic return, but device complexity increases due to additional spring mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded actuating element implements self-service by automatically returning to its parked position after use. When the user releases the actuating element from the intermediate position, the spring automatically propels it back to the parked position, preparing the system for the next operation without requiring manual intervention. This self-service feature improves ease of operation while the spring mechanism is integrated into the existing structural unit, minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enhances operating safety by enabling precise mechanical adjustments, reducing the risk of hard impacts during closure and ensuring reliable operation, while simplifying assembly and reducing the number of parts, thus improving user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a retraction device that has a retraction spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a damper is effective, which prevents the drawer from hitting hard in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2713822B1Sliding arrangement
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 KARL SIMON GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2713822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2713822B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2713822B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding arrangement, in particular an ejector device for drawers, sliding doors, or the like, comprising an ejector arrangement which can be actuated by an overstroke and which has a sliding piece. The sliding arrangement also comprises a retracting device which has a retracting spring and a damper. The aim of the invention is to improve the operating reliability. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the ejector arrangement, the damper, and the retracting spring are mounted on a fitting part.