Nested Drawer Glide Mechanism for Smooth Warped-Drawer Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Epoxy glides in drawer mechanisms often result in rough, uneven movement due to single rollers and loose fits, while ball bearing glides are costly and labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for mass production in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, and they struggle with warped or misshapen drawers.

Innovation Solution

A drawer glide mechanism combining a v-notch socket with a ball bearing component and adjustable elongate guide members that accommodate warping, using a nested design with floating and fixed members for easy alignment and adjustment, allowing smooth operation and cost-effective manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If epoxy glides with single rollers are used, then cost is reduced, but drawer movement becomes rough and uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoiddrawer movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where an inner guide member is positioned within an outer guide member, both nested within a v-notch socket. This nested arrangement allows multiple guide members to work together, providing smooth drawer movement while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of a single roller in the v-notch socket, thus resolving the contradiction between low cost and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If ball bearing guide members are used, then drawer movement smoothness is improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer movement smoothnessVSAvoidcost and labor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a nested configuration with inner and outer guide members that work together to provide smooth drawer movement similar to ball bearing mechanisms, but without the high cost and complexity. The nested guide members guide the drawer smoothly while the single roller in the v-notch socket reduces manufacturing costs, resolving the contradiction between smooth operation and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive ball bearing mechanisms with a more economical arrangement using a single roller in a v-notch socket combined with nested guide members. This cost-effective alternative achieves sufficient smoothness for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry without requiring the complex two-piece sockets and multiple fasteners needed for ball bearing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If ball bearing drawer glide mechanisms are used, then drawer operation smoothness is improved, but device complexity and installation labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer operation smoothnessVSAvoidsocket and fastener requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a simplified assembly. The v-notch socket integrates the mounting function, while the nested inner and outer guide members work together to provide guidance and smooth movement. This combined approach achieves ball-bearing-like smoothness without requiring complex two-piece sockets and multiple fasteners, thus reducing device complexity and installation labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed guide members are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to warped drawers is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of misshapen drawers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustability into the guide member system, allowing the inner guide member to be positioned at different locations along the outer guide member. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the mechanism to accommodate warped or misshapen drawers while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the basic nested structure and single roller design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides a cost-effective, smooth, and adjustable drawer glide mechanism suitable for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, accommodating misshapen drawers and reducing manufacturing complexity, with self-adjusting features that eliminate the need for additional mechanical adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

a ball bearing component comprising a plurality of ball bearings between the first and second elongate guide members configured to permit movement of the second elongate guide member relative the first elongate guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS9756942B2Drawer glide mechanism

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 AMERICAN WOODMARK MANAGEMENT CO

AI summary

A drawer glide mechanism can include a first elongate guide member, a second elongate guide member, a ball bearing component, a v-notch socket, a release mechanism, and/or a roller support. The first elongate guide member can include a distal end that is configured to fit within an opening in the v-notch socket. The drawer glide mechanism can further include one or more floating members and fixed members. In some cases, the drawer glide mechanism includes a release member configured to facilitate separation of the first and second elongate guide members when actuated and to inhibit or prevent accidental separation of the first and second elongate guide members.