Adjustable Lateral Guide Stop for Stable Vertical Drawer Pull-Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pull-out limitations for side guides in tall cabinet parts often result in tilting and uneven load distribution due to weight-dependent movement, leading to premature activation of extension limits and potential damage from excessive load on guide rollers.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable side guide system with a stop unit and holding arm connected via teeth, allowing for fine adjustment and overload protection, which can disengage under excessive force to prevent damage and ensure proper load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the extension limit for the upper side guide is set early to protect against high loads, then the guide rollers are protected from bending, but the lower pull-out guide reaches its end stops prematurely causing whip-like swinging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of guide rollersVSAvoidsmooth pull-out operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stop unit is designed with a movable stop part that can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the second rail. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the extension limit to be adapted based on the actual weight and load conditions, rather than being fixed. The stop part can be positioned to engage with the guide roller at different locations, enabling the system to dynamically respond to varying load requirements while maintaining smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the extension limit position by providing an adjustable stop unit. The stop part can be repositioned along the second rail to modify the extension limit according to the specific weight and load of the pull-out tall cabinet part. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing optimization for both protection and smooth operation depending on the actual usage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the extension limit is set late to allow smooth operation, then the pull-out operation is smooth, but the guide rollers are subjected to excessive load and may bend

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth pull-out operationVSAvoidguide roller integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable stop unit provides a dynamic solution where the extension limit can be modified based on actual load conditions. The stop part can be repositioned to engage the guide roller at appropriate locations, ensuring that the extension limit is set correctly to prevent excessive load on guide rollers while maintaining smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the position of the stop part can be adjusted based on observations of the pull-out operation and load conditions. If guide rollers show signs of excessive loading or if operation is not smooth, the stop part position can be modified to achieve the optimal balance between protection and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Strength

If the stop unit is rigidly fixed to the second rail, then the structure is simple and strong, but the extension limit cannot be adjusted for different weights and loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadjustability to weight and load
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stop unit transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The stop part can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the second rail and positioned at different locations to engage with the guide roller. This dynamic capability allows the extension limit to be adapted to different weights and loads while maintaining structural strength through the robust connection between the stop part, holding arm, and second rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Length of moving object

If the stop part is positioned far from the guide roller to allow full extension, then the pull-out distance is maximized, but the guide roller is subjected to higher moment loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-out distanceVSAvoidmoment load on guide roller
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of the stop part position relative to the guide roller. By adjusting the longitudinal position of the stop part along the second rail, the extension limit can be optimized to balance pull-out distance with moment load reduction. The stop part can be positioned at different distances from the guide roller engagement point depending on the specific requirements of the application.

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

The system effectively adjusts to intended weights and loads, reducing tilting and preventing damage to guide rollers by allowing for correct extension limit setting and overload protection, enhancing assembly ease and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

at least one guide roller rotatably mounted about a vertical axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

a stop unit for limiting the extension of the second rail from the first rail is attached to one of the vertical webs, which is a stop part arranged in the space between the vertical legs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

an intermediate piece connecting the stop part to the holding arm, which passes through an elongated hole recess in the vertical web running in the longitudinal direction of the second rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical connection through elongated hole:

Data Source

PatentEP1785060B1Lateral guide for a pull-out element of a vertical drawer
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 FULTERER GES
  • EP1785060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1785060B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1785060B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A side guide for a tall cabinet section (1) that can be pulled out from a furniture carcass (2) comprises a first rail (8) to be connected to the inside of the top of the furniture carcass (1), which has at least one guide roller (11) rotatably mounted about a vertical axis (10), and a second rail (14) to be fixed to the pull-out tall cabinet section (1), wherein a stop unit (22) for limiting the extension of the second rail (14) from the first rail (8) is attached to one of the vertical webs (15, 16) of the second rail (14). At least over an adjustment section (27) of an elongated recess (26) in the vertical web (15), the width (B) of a stop part (23) of the stop unit (22), measured in the vertical direction, is greater than the width (b) of the elongated recess (26) measured in this direction.The connection of the retaining arm (25) of the stop unit (22) with the vertical web (15) is detachably designed, and the retaining arm (25) has at least one connecting element (28) which, in different displacement positions of the stop unit (22) along the second rail (14), can be brought into a form-fitting engagement with at least one connecting element (29) of the vertical web (15) of the second rail (14) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second rail (14). (Fig. 1).