Pull-Out Guide Side-Mounted Retraction for Flat Drawers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-out guides are not suitable for very flat furniture parts due to the limited design caused by the arrangement of the retraction mechanism on the body rail, which restricts the vertical extension and hence the flatness of the furniture design.

Innovation Solution

The retraction mechanism is positioned on a vertically extending wall section of the body rail, allowing the tilt slide to extend through a slot in this section, reducing the vertical extension of the pull-out guide and enabling it to accommodate flat furniture parts by relocating the retraction mechanism from above or below to the side, thus minimizing the installation space required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the retraction mechanism is arranged above or below the body rail, then the pull-out guide can accommodate standard furniture parts, but the vertical extension becomes too large for flat furniture parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for flat furniture partsVSAvoidvertical extension of pull-out guide
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the retraction mechanism from a vertical arrangement (above or below the body rail) to a horizontal arrangement (on the side of the body rail). This dimensional change allows the tilt slide to extend through a slot in the side wall section of the body rail, significantly reducing the vertical extension of the pull-out guide while maintaining all necessary functions.

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

2Length of stationary object

If the retraction mechanism is positioned on the side of the body rail, then the vertical footprint is reduced, but the slot must be arranged in a vertically extending wall section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical footprintVSAvoidslot arrangement in vertical wall section
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a localized vertical wall section on the side of the body rail that extends significantly beyond the normal thickness of the rail. This localized structural modification provides the necessary space for the slot and tilt slide mechanism while keeping the rest of the body rail design unchanged. The vertical wall section acts as a specialized local feature that enables the horizontal arrangement of the retraction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Length of stationary object

If the wall section thickness is reduced to accommodate the slot, then the vertical footprint is minimized, but the structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical installation spaceVSAvoidwall section strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than reducing the thickness of the vertical wall section, the patent extends the vertical height of the wall section while maintaining adequate thickness. The slot is arranged in this extended vertical dimension, allowing the tilt slide to move vertically within the slot without compromising the structural integrity of the wall section. This approach preserves strength by maintaining sufficient material thickness while achieving space reduction through vertical extension.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3072417B1Pull-out guide for furniture parts which can be extended from and inserted into a furniture body
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 FULTERER AG & CO KG
  • EP3072417B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3072417B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3072417B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Pull-out guide (1) for furniture parts that can be pulled out of a furniture body and pushed back into it, in particular drawers, the pull-out guide (1) having at least one body rail (2) for fastening to the furniture body and at least one drawer rail (3) for fastening to the furniture part and at least one retraction mechanism (4) with a tilting slide (5) for retracting the drawer rail (3) in a retraction direction (6), the drawer rail (3) being displaceable in the cabinet rail (2) in the retraction direction (6) and counter to the retraction direction (6). and the tilting slide (5) reaches through a slot (7) in the carcass rail (2), the slot (7) being arranged in a wall section (8) of the carcass rail (2) which extends vertically when the pull-out guide is in an operating position.