Pull-Out Guide Free-Running Rail Design for Quiet Drawer Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides for furniture parts, such as drawers, experience increased running noise due to flattening of plastic rolling elements over time, which is exacerbated by vibrations, and previous solutions either add unnecessary components or do not effectively prevent noise without additional rolling elements.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out guide design featuring a freewheeling section where the first rolling elements are disengaged from the running surfaces in the retracted state, allowing only the second rolling elements to carry the load, thus preventing deformation and noise, with the freewheeling section being integrated into the running surfaces and ensuring the first rolling elements remain undeformed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic rolling elements are used to reduce rolling noise, then rolling noise is reduced, but the rolling elements flatten over time causing vibrations and increased running noise
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element cage is segmented into two distinct groups: first rolling elements (made of plastic) positioned in the retracted state area, and second rolling elements (made of steel) positioned in the extended state area. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function - plastic for quiet operation when retracted, steel for durable load-bearing when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are assigned to different spatial locations within the pull-out guide system. Plastic rolling elements are located where the guide is retracted, while steel rolling elements are located where the guide is extended. This local differentiation optimizes noise reduction at rest and reliability during operation.
2Force
If steel rolling elements are used to support high mechanical loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but loud rolling noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element cage is segmented into two distinct groups: first rolling elements (made of plastic) positioned in the retracted state area, and second rolling elements (made of steel) positioned in the extended state area. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function - plastic for quiet operation when retracted, steel for durable load-bearing when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are assigned to different spatial locations within the pull-out guide system. Plastic rolling elements are located where the guide is retracted, while steel rolling elements are located where the guide is extended. This local differentiation optimizes noise reduction at rest and reliability during operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional rolling elements are added to prevent noise, then running noise is suppressed, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling element cage design allows the same cage structure to serve multiple functions by incorporating two types of rolling elements that work in different operational states. The first rolling elements handle the retracted state quietly, while the second rolling elements handle the extended state with high load capacity, making the system universally effective across all operating conditions without requiring separate mechanisms.
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 effectively suppresses running noise by ensuring the first rolling elements remain undeformed and only the second rolling elements, which may deform, carry the load, maintaining smooth operation and reducing vibrations and noise issues.
Implementation Method 1
Cylindrical rollers or balls rotatably mounted in the rolling element cage are used as rolling elements
Implementation Method 2
The flattening of the plastic rollers is reversible - by subsequently actuating the pull-out guide, the plastic rollers are tumbled and regain their original round shape
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pull-out guide for furniture parts that can be moved in relation to each other, comprising at least two pull-out rails (10, 20, 30) having at least one running surface (11, 21, 31), between which at least one first rolling element (1) and at least one second rolling element (2) are arranged, which are rotatably retained in at least one rolling-element cage (4). The at least one first rolling element (1) and the at least one second rolling element (2) of the rolling-element cage (4) have an identical nominal diameter. The pull-out guide is distinguished in that at least one of the running surfaces (11, 21, 31) has a free-running segment (23, 33), in which the at least one first rolling element (1) is positioned in a retracted state of the pull-out guide, the running surfaces (11, 21, 31) having a greater distance from each other inside the free-running segment (23, 33) than outside the free-running segment (23, 33).