Pull-Out Guide Positive-Locking Driver to Reduce Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides require significant force to open due to self-locking mechanisms and spring forces, making the opening movement cumbersome, especially when the user has one hand inside the drawer.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out device design where the driver is held in a form-fitting manner on the guideway's angled end section without self-locking, allowing easy pivoting out of the parking position with minimal force, using a peg-shaped guide element and a damper to manage movement, ensuring the driver is not self-locking and can be easily released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-locking mechanism is used to hold the driver in the parked position, then the driver can be securely held against the angled end section, but significant force is required to release the driver from the parked position
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: self-locking for secure holding and positive-locking for easy release. The guide track is divided into different sections with different locking characteristics, allowing the driver to be held securely during normal operation but easily released when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using self-locking for both holding and releasing functions, the invention inverts the approach by using positive-locking (non-self-locking) for the holding function and self-locking for the release function. This inversion allows the driver to be easily released from the parked position while still being securely held during operation.
2Force
If a spring-loaded power storage device is used to assist opening movement, then the opening force is reduced, but the driver must overcome both spring forces and self-locking mechanism forces to release
Solution Approach 1:
The force requirements are segmented into two phases: the power storage device handles the opening force assistance, while the positive-locking mechanism handles the release ease. By separating these functions, the user only needs to overcome minimal forces to release the driver, as the spring forces are already being utilized to assist opening movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The positive-locking contour acts as an intermediary mechanism between the driver and the self-locking tendency. It provides a controlled release path that allows the driver to be easily disengaged from the parked position without having to overcome both spring forces and self-locking forces simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the driver is held in positive-locking manner without self-locking, then minimal force is required to release the driver, but the driver may not be securely held in the parked position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two locking mechanisms (self-locking and positive-locking) into a unified system. The guide track incorporates both self-locking features for secure holding and positive-locking features for easy release, combining the advantages of both mechanisms into a single integrated solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is made dynamic by allowing it to switch between self-locking and positive-locking modes depending on the driver's position and operational requirements. The guide track is designed with varying geometric features that automatically engage the appropriate locking mode based on the driver's movement state.
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
Significantly reduces the forces needed to unlock the driver from the parking position, allowing for easier operation and smooth movement to the maximum opening position, with the damper controlling the opening speed to prevent jarring.
Implementation Method 1
a driver (14) movable between a parked position at an angled end section (13) of a guide track (24) with a tensioned energy storage device (15) and a starting position with a less tensioned energy storage device (15)
Implementation Method 2
The extension device preferably includes a damper by means of which the movement of the guide rail with the push element can be slowed down
Implementation Method 3
the angle α is greater than the sum of the friction angles ρ between the guide element and the first and second walls
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A pull-out unit, in particular for furniture or domestic appliances, comprises a pull-out guide (1), which comprises a stationary rail (2) and a running rail (5) which is displaceable relative to the stationary rail (2) and on which a drawer element can be supported, and a pull-out device (10) having a guide track (24), on which a driver (14) prestressed by an energy store (15) is displaceable between a parked position in an angled end portion (13) having a tensioned energy store (15) and a starting position having a less strongly tensioned energy store (15), wherein the running rail (5) is movable in the opening direction by moving the driver (14) into the starting position, wherein the driver (14) in the parked position is not held on the angled end portion (13) of the guide track (24) in a self-locking manner but in a interlocking manner. The invention also relates to a method for moving a pull-out guide (1) having a drawer element.