Parallel Drawer Slide With Decoupling Rack for Over-Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parallel extension guides for drawers fail to maintain precise parallel guidance when the drawer is over-extended without increasing the installation depth.
Innovation Solution
A parallel extension slide with a toothed rack that moves forward over the carcass, utilizing a coupling element driven by a gear wheel or belt drive, which decouples from the coupling element at an extended end position to allow the drawer to over-extend while maintaining synchronization, and re-couples during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the toothed rack is extended to maintain synchronization during over-extension, then the parallel guidance precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the extendable mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed rack is divided into a fixed section and an extendable section that can be deployed independently. The extendable section is segmented into discrete elements that can be extended or retracted as needed, allowing the system to maintain precision without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed rack transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change its effective length during operation. The extendable section is activated only when over-extension is detected, transforming the system from rigid to adaptive based on operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the installation depth is increased to provide over-extension capability, then the drawer over-extension capability is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable toothed rack section is nested within the furniture body when not in use, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the over-extension capability to be stored compactly within the existing installation depth, eliminating the need for additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the toothed rack in the same dimension (depth), the solution uses a coupling element that tilts into a release position, effectively using a different dimensional approach (angular movement) to achieve the same functional result of enabling over-extension without increasing installation depth.
3Reliability
If the coupling element is always engaged with the driver, then the synchronization is maintained continuously, but the over-extension capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element alternates between engaged and disengaged states periodically during drawer operation. It engages during normal operation to maintain synchronization and disengages during over-extension to allow independent movement, creating a rhythmic pattern of coupling and decoupling that satisfies both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engagement parameter of the coupling element dynamically. During normal operation, the coupling element is engaged (parameter = coupled), but during over-extension, it transitions to a disengaged state (parameter = decoupled), allowing the system to adapt its synchronization level based on operational needs.
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
Ensures precise parallel guidance of the drawer even when over-extended, without increasing the installation depth, by using a coupling element that tilts into a release position, allowing the toothed rack to extend and retract efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The drive particularly preferably has a gear wheel which is mounted on the toothed rack so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and which meshes with two vertical toothed rack sections of the guide part and of the coupling element which face one another.
Implementation Method 2
the guide surface having a cam which deflects the coupling element into the release position when it is in the extended end position, or shortly before the extended end position is reached by elastic deformation the release position biased.
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel pull-out guide (10) according to the invention for a drawer (5) or the like that can be pulled out of a furniture body (2) via horizontal pull-out guides (4) on both sides, comprises for each of the two drawer sides: a guide part (11 ), a horizontal toothed rack (12) provided for attachment to the drawer (5), which is guided in the guide part (11) so that it can be extended in the drawer pull-out direction (13) and has a horizontal toothed rack section (14), a toothed rack (12) and/or on the guide part (11) in the direction (13) of the drawer being pulled out, the coupling element (15) is guided so that it can be extended and which, in its pulled-out final state, can be tilted about a horizontal axis between a locking position in which a driver (29) on the drawer side in the coupling element (15) is locked in the drawer pull-out direction (13), and a release position in which the driver (29) in the coupling element (15) in drawers - pull-out direction (13) is not locked, and a drive for the rack (12) in order to move the rack (12) together with the coupling element (15) relative to the guide part (11) in the same direction, as well as one for attachment to the drawer (5) transverse to the drawer pull-out direction (13) provided horizontal synchronous shaft (19) with two gears (35) which mesh with the horizontal rack sections (14) of the two racks (12).