Furniture Pull-Out Guide Cable Layout for Middle Rail Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-out guides for furniture require long cables for synchronization, leading to high peripheral speeds of deflection rollers and increased production costs, with limited service life due to excessive material consumption and stress on components.

Innovation Solution

A cable control system where the cable is guided around two deflection rollers mounted on the middle rail, attached to the rolling element cages between the running and guide rails, reducing the total cable length by half and using ultrasonic welding for a backlash-free connection, thereby reducing peripheral speeds and material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cable is connected to the front end of the guide rail and to the rear end of the center rail, then the synchronization of the middle rail is ensured, but the total cable length must be at least twice the length of the middle rail, leading to high production costs and high peripheral speeds of deflection rollers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization of middle railVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable control system is segmented into two independent cable arrangements. Each cable arrangement connects only over half the displacement path of the running rail, with each cable being connected to only one deflection roller. This segmentation reduces the total cable length by half compared to the conventional single cable system that spans the entire displacement path, directly addressing the high production cost issue while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the cable is connected to the front end of the guide rail and to the rear end of the center rail, then the synchronization of the middle rail is ensured, but the peripheral speed of the deflection rollers is high, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization of middle railVSAvoidservice life of deflection rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable control system is segmented into two independent cable arrangements. Each cable arrangement connects only over half the displacement path of the running rail, with each cable being connected to only one deflection roller. This segmentation reduces the total cable length by half compared to the conventional single cable system that spans the entire displacement path, directly addressing the high production cost issue while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single cable that spans the entire displacement path of the running rail, the invention employs two cable arrangements that each cover only half the displacement path. This partial action approach reduces the cable length and consequently lowers the peripheral speed of the deflection rollers, extending their service life while still achieving complete synchronization through the combined action of both cable arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If a long cable is used for synchronization, then the middle rail can be synchronized over the full displacement path, but the cable length increases production costs and material consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization coverageVSAvoidcable length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cable control system is segmented into two independent cable arrangements. Each cable arrangement connects only over half the displacement path of the running rail, with each cable being connected to only one deflection roller. This segmentation reduces the total cable length by half compared to the conventional single cable system that spans the entire displacement path, directly addressing the high production cost issue while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single cable that spans the entire displacement path of the running rail, the invention employs two cable arrangements that each cover only half the displacement path. This partial action approach reduces the cable length and consequently lowers the peripheral speed of the deflection rollers, extending their service life while still achieving complete synchronization through the combined action of both cable arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This design results in significant cost reduction, increased service life, and reduced stress on components, allowing for more efficient production and integration of additional features within the same space.

Implementation Method 1

the cable is welded to the rolling element cages, preferably by ultrasonic welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2640228B1Pull-out guide for a pull-out part of a piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2640228B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2640228B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2640228B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Pull-out guide (1) for a pull-out part of a piece of furniture, comprising a guide rail (2) which can be fastened on the basic structure of a piece of furniture, also comprising a running rail (3) which can be coupled to a pull-out part, and further comprising a central rail (4) which is arranged between the guide rail (2) and the running rail (3), increases the pull-out length, is guided in relation to the guide rail (2) and the running rail (3) by means of rolling bodies retained in rolling-body cages (5) and is synchronized by a cable pull control means (6), wherein the cable pull control means (6) consists of a cable (8) which is guided around two deflecting rollers (7), mounted on the central rail (4), and is fastened on the rolling-body cages (5) between the running rail (3) and the guide rail (2), on the one hand, and the central rail (4), on the other hand.