Pull-Out Guide One-Piece Blocking Element to Reduce Assembly Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-out guides for furniture parts face high manufacturing and assembly costs due to complex structures and two-part designs, which increase installation effort and costs.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece blocking element integrally connected to a guide element, mounted on a slot of the running rail, with a keyhole-shaped elongated hole and self-locking mechanism, allowing for easy assembly and secure locking without additional parts, using a rigid plastic material for cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a two-part blocking element design is used, then the blocking element can be assembled, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element and guide element are merged into a single integrally connected component. The blocking element includes a guide element with which it is integrally connected, such that the blocking element is guided on a slot in the running rail. This integration eliminates the need for separate guide elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining the guiding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides blocking action, guiding action, and positioning action. The guide element integrated into the blocking element performs both guiding the blocking element on the slot and supporting the blocking function, eliminating the need for separate dedicated guide components.

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

2Reliability

If a complex blocking unit structure is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element and guide element are merged into a single integrally connected component. The blocking element includes a guide element with which it is integrally connected, such that the blocking element is guided on a slot in the running rail. This integration eliminates the need for separate guide elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining the guiding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional locking mechanisms are used, then the blocking element can be held in position, but the device complexity and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition holdingVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting web is mounted in the narrow slot section in a self-locking manner in the direction of extension of the slot. The geometry of the connecting web and slot creates a self-locking effect that automatically holds the blocking element in position without requiring additional locking mechanisms or fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting web acts as an intermediary element that provides the self-locking connection between the blocking element and the running rail slot. Its specific geometry enables it to engage with the slot walls to prevent displacement while allowing easy assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3287042B1Pull-out guide for furniture parts
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 REME MOEBELBESCHLAEGE GMBH
  • EP3287042B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3287042B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3287042B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a pull-out guide for furniture parts (1), in particular for drawers, with a body rail (2) that can be fixed to a furniture body, with a running rail (4) that can be fixed to a pull-out furniture part (1), the running rail (4) extending in the direction of extension (E) the body rail (2) is mounted so that it can be moved relative to the same, that a locking unit (5) is provided at a front end of the running rail (4), which has a locking element (6) provided with a nose (13) which can be displaced by displacement in the direction of extension (E) on the one hand can be brought into a blocking position, in which the lug (13) of the blocking element (6) engages in a receptacle (14) of the pull-out furniture part (1), and on the other hand can be brought into a release position, in which the lug (13) of the blocking element (6) does not engage in the receptacle (14) of the pull-out furniture part (1), the blocking element (6) being connected in one piece to a guide element (7), by means of which the blocking element (6) at a slot (10) of Running rail (4) in the direction of extension (E) is mounted out of the same.