Pull-Out Guide Catch Fitting With Triggered Dual-Side Unlocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking mechanisms for pull-out slides, especially in wider drawers, often fail to securely unlock the switching element on both sides, leading to potential damage from uneven forces and manual unlocking complexities.

Innovation Solution

A locking fitting with a trigger mechanism that allows direct unlocking of the switching element, which can be actuated electromechanically or via sensors, ensuring simultaneous unlocking on both sides and providing overload protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual unlocking mechanism is used where the drawer is pressed to move the switching element out of the locking recess, then the structure remains simple, but the unlocking reliability deteriorates because the switching element may remain locked on one side while unlocked on the other, and high forces can damage components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking reliabilityVSAvoidtrigger mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual pressing mechanism with an electromechanical trigger system. The trigger can be actuated by a drive (electromagnetic or other) to move the switching element out of the locking recess, ensuring reliable and simultaneous unlocking on both sides without requiring manual drawer pressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger acts as an intermediary component between the control system and the switching element. It directly moves the switching element out of the locking recess, providing precise control and ensuring both switching elements are unlocked simultaneously, eliminating the reliability issue of asymmetric unlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple components are used to position the switching element, then the structure becomes more complex, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to tolerance accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching element positioning precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the positioning system. The trigger directly positions and moves the switching element without requiring multiple intermediate positioning components, thereby reducing tolerance accumulation and improving manufacturing precision while simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the switching element is unlocked manually by pushing the drawer, then no additional actuating components are needed, but the ease of operation deteriorates especially for wider drawers where simultaneous unlocking on both sides cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking operation easeVSAvoidautomated triggering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual drawer pushing with an automated trigger mechanism that can be actuated by a simple switch or sensor signal. This ensures simultaneous and reliable unlocking on both sides of wide drawers, greatly improving ease of operation while introducing controlled automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the trigger is designed to be movable to effect unlocking, then the unlocking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger movement capabilityVSAvoidtrigger mounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically movable trigger that can be displaced or pivoted to effect unlocking, rather than a fixed trigger. This dynamic design allows the trigger to reliably move the switching element out of the locking recess while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through careful mechanical 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

Ensures secure and simultaneous unlocking of the switching element on both sides of the drawer, reducing the risk of damage from uneven forces and improving the precision of the unlocking process.

Implementation Method 1

the switching element can be locked to the locking recess by the force of a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The trigger can be controlled by a switch, wherein the switch can activate a drive that can actuate the trigger electromechanically, electromagnetically or in another way

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2451313B1Catch fitting for a pull-out guide
Publication Date: 2013.05.01 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2451313B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2451313B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2451313B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a catch fitting for a pull-out guide, in particular for drawers, comprising a switching curve (20) in which a switching element (10) is displaceably mounted, wherein the switching curve (20) comprises a loop-shaped segment (23) having a catch depression (26). The switching element (10) can be engaged with the catch depression (26) by the force of a spring (63). An initiator (30) is provided, by means of which the switching element (10) can be displaced out of the catch depression (26).