Pull-Out Guide Support Element for Longer Rolling Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out slide designs with support rollers limit the maximum support width and quality of guidance due to the roller's protrusion, leading to reduced track length and potential jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out slide with a movably mounted support element on the center rail that can be lowered to allow the running rail to extend beyond the support element, enabling increased track length and preventing jamming, where the support element is designed to move vertically or at an angle, and is supported by a bearing block for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a support roller is provided to support the drawer slide, then forces can be transferred from the drawer slide to the cabinet rail, but the support roller protrudes upwards from the center rail, limiting the movement of the rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The support roller is made movable relative to the center rail, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a retracted position (when the drawer is closed) and an extended position (when the drawer is open). This dynamic positioning enables the support roller to transfer forces effectively when needed while not obstructing the rolling elements during drawer extension, thus resolving the contradiction between force transfer capability and track length.
2Reliability
If the support roller protrudes from the center rail, then it can support the running rail on the guide rail, but it reduces the maximum support width and decreases guide performance
Solution Approach 1:
The support roller's ability to move between retracted and extended positions allows it to adapt to different operational requirements. When the drawer is closed, the support roller protrudes to provide reliable support and force transfer. When the drawer is extended, the support roller retracts to clear the path of the rolling elements, thereby maintaining guide performance and maximum support width throughout the entire range of motion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support roller is fixed in position, then it provides stable support, but it causes jamming when the drawer slide is fully extended
Solution Approach 1:
By making the support roller movable rather than fixed, the invention maintains stability when the drawer is closed (with the support roller in its retracted position providing stable support) while preventing jamming during full extension (when the support roller moves to its extended position to clear the rolling elements' path). The dynamic positioning ensures both stability and reliability throughout the operation cycle.
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
The solution enhances the guidance quality by increasing the track length for rolling elements, reducing jamming, and allowing for a greater maximum support width, while maintaining smooth movement and easy assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a center rail (3) which is movable on the guide rail (4) via first rolling elements (5) arranged in a first rolling element cage (6)
Implementation Method 2
a running rail (2) which is movable on the center rail (3) via second rolling elements (5) arranged in a second rolling element cage (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pull-out guide (1) comprises a stationary guide rail, which can be secured on a basic structure, a centre rail (3), which is retained on the guide rail (4) in a displaceable manner via first rolling bodies (7), which are arranged in a first rolling-body cage (8), and a running rail (2), which is retained on the centre rail (3) in a displaceable manner via second rolling bodies (5), which are arranged in a second rolling-body cage (6), and the centre rail (3) contains an opening for a supporting element (10), which, in a retracted position of the pull-out guide (1), supports the running rail (2) on the guide rail (4), wherein the supporting element (10) is mounted in a lowerable manner on the centre rail (3). It is possible here for at least one second rolling body (5) to travel over the opening for the supporting element (10). This makes it possible to optimize the support of the running rail.