Pull-Out Guide Driver Mounting for Low-Clearance Retrofitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retrofitting drivers in pull-out guides installed on furniture bodies is complicated due to limited access and space constraints, requiring removal and reassembly of the pull-out runner.

Innovation Solution

A pull-out guide design where the driver is attached to the underside of the rail with a minimal vertical protrusion, allowing for easy retrofitting without removing the guide, using a fastening movement primarily in the horizontal plane with optional vertical components, and featuring connecting pieces for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver is attached to the rail with a large vertical protrusion to ensure stable fastening, then the holding stability is improved, but the accessibility for retrofitting is worsened due to limited space between the rail and furniture body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidaccessibility for retrofitting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the primary fastening direction from vertical to horizontal by introducing a fastening movement that occurs mainly in the horizontal plane. The driver is fastened to the rail through horizontal displacement rather than vertical protrusion, allowing retrofitting in limited spaces while maintaining stable connection through horizontal engagement features like engagement protrusions and recesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the pull-out guide is pre-assembled on the furniture body, then the installation efficiency is improved, but the ease of retrofitting the driver is worsened due to difficult access to mounting areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidease of retrofitting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the driver from the pull-out guide rail, allowing the rail to be pre-assembled on the furniture body while the driver can be independently retrofitted later. The driver is designed as a separate component that can be attached to the rail through a simple horizontal fastening movement, enabling modular installation and retrofitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the fastening movement to occur primarily in the horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical space, the patent enables retrofitting of the driver to the pre-assembled rail even in locations with limited access, such as bottom pull-out guides where vertical clearance is minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the fastening movement includes vertical components to ensure secure attachment, then the connection stability is improved, but the space requirements for retrofitting are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the fastening movement from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. The driver is secured to the rail through horizontal engagement features (engagement protrusions and recesses) that provide stable connection without requiring vertical clearance, enabling retrofitting in spaces with minimal vertical clearance between the rail and furniture body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3166444B1Pull-out guide for a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3166444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3166444B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3166444B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a pull-out guide (1) for a movable furniture part (2), comprising at least one rail (3), which is horizontal in the installed position, and a driver element (4) for a drive device (5) for the movable furniture part (2), which driver element can be fastened on the rail (3), in particular detachably fastened, wherein the driver element (4) can be brought from a release position (L) in a fixing position (F) with the rail (3) by way of a fastening movement (B) of the driver element (4), the fastening movement (B) being carried out in a horizontal plane (H).