Pull-out guide for a drawer and method for aligning a drawer on a pull-out guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-out guides for drawers require multiple adjustment elements for height and lateral adjustments, leading to a complex design with numerous components, making alignment and adjustment cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A compact pull-out guide with a single adjusting element, such as an axially adjustable spindle, that can perform both height and lateral adjustments, utilizing a threaded sleeve and a resilient projection for self-locking and elastic movement, allowing for simplified alignment and reduced component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple adjustment elements are used for height and lateral adjustments, then precise positioning of the drawer is achieved, but the device complexity increases with numerous components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines height adjustment and lateral adjustment functions into a single adjusting element (the drawer front). By making the drawer front itself adjustable in both vertical and lateral directions, the design eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing component count while maintaining precise positioning capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drawer front is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the visible front panel of the drawer and the adjustment mechanism. The drawer front can be independently positioned vertically and laterally, making it a multi-functional element that replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated adjustment devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple adjustment elements are provided for height and lateral adjustments, then accurate alignment of the drawer is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidadjustment simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging height and lateral adjustment capabilities into the single drawer front element, the user only needs to manipulate one component rather than coordinating multiple separate adjustment mechanisms. This simplifies the adjustment process while maintaining the ability to achieve precise alignment in both vertical and lateral directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment elements and components are used, then comprehensive adjustment capability is achieved, but the overall size of the guide system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidguide system size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer front is designed as a multi-functional adjustment element that provides both vertical and lateral adjustment capabilities within its own structure. This eliminates the need for additional external adjustment components that would increase the overall volume of the guide system, while still achieving comprehensive adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables precise and efficient alignment of drawers with a reduced number of components, simplifying the adjustment process and achieving a compact design while maintaining precise positioning.

Implementation Method 1

The adjusting element (20) comprises a head section (21) that projects from the holder (11). The holder (11) includes an upper U-shaped section (18) with a bearing opening (19) into which a cylindrical section (22) of the adjusting element (20) is inserted. A cylindrical section (23) with a smaller diameter adjoins the cylindrical section (22) with a larger diameter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThread mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a projection (30) that can be inserted into a receptacle (9) on the drawer (1). The projection (30) is made of bent wire, in particular spring steel wire, which is elastically bendable.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3742931B1Pull-out guide for a drawer and method for aligning a drawer on a pull-out guide
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3742931B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742931B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A pull-out guide (6) for a drawer (1) comprises a guide rail that can be secured to a carcass and a running rail (7) that is displaceable relative to the guide rail, between which at least one central rail (8) which extends the pull-out length is optionally provided, wherein on the running rail (7) a holding device (10) is provided for fixing a drawer, said holding device having a projection (30) that can be inserted into a recess (9) on the drawer (1), wherein on the holding device (10) a vertical adjustment and a horizontal adjustment are provided for changing the position of the drawer (1) relative to the running rail, wherein an adjustment element (20) is provided by means of which a vertical adjustment and a horizontal adjustment can be carried out.