Pull-Out Guide with Adjustable Fastening for Versatile Drawer Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture and household appliance pull-out guides require significant installation space and numerous components to achieve flexible and compact designs, limiting adjustability and versatility in drawer systems.

Innovation Solution

A pull-out guide with an adjustable fastening part on the running rail allows for adjustable panel gaps and drawer positioning, featuring two fastening means on the movable rail to accommodate different drawer systems, and an integrated adjusting mechanism for precise adjustment using a rotatable knurled nut and threaded bolt, ensuring stable fixation and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If an adjustment mechanism with web and clamping device is provided on the rail (as disclosed in WO 2016/177732), then high holding forces can be transferred between the drawer and the pull-out slide, but the device requires a comparatively large amount of installation space and numerous components are necessary to fix the drawer to the pull-out slide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the adjustment mechanism and fastening means into an integrated unit on the running rail. The connecting part with adjusting means integrates the web, clamping device, and fastening elements into a single compact assembly that can be adjusted and fixed simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining high holding forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The running rail is designed with multiple fastening means (first and second fastening means) that can accommodate different drawer systems and configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same rail structure to serve various purposes - securing different drawer types, adjusting panel gaps, and providing versatile mounting options without requiring multiple specialized components.

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

2Device complexity

If a plug is inserted into one end section of the rail to connect to push elements (as disclosed in DE 10 2018 108 647 A1), then the structure becomes more compact, but the closed position must be arranged at a predetermined distance from the body and the panel gap cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adjusting mechanism on the running rail that allows dynamic adjustment of the connecting part position relative to the fastening part. This enables the panel gap and drawer position to be adjusted after assembly, transforming a static fixed-position system into a dynamic adjustable one, while maintaining the compact plug-based connection structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The running rail is pre-equipped with multiple fastening means and adjusting mechanisms during manufacturing, allowing for flexible adjustment and configuration during installation. This preliminary preparation enables users to adjust panel gaps and drawer positions to match specific furniture designs without requiring additional components or complex modifications later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the fastening part and connecting part are arranged on an end section of the running rail, then the design becomes compact with components arranged completely on the end section, but the adjustment range and positioning flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent arrangementVSAvoidadjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the running rail by providing multiple fastening means at different positions along the rail. This allows adjustment in the longitudinal direction while keeping the transverse arrangement compact on the end section. The adjusting mechanism enables movement along the rail's length, providing extended adjustment range without increasing the overall footprint perpendicular to the rail direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4093243B1Piece of furniture with pull-out guide
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4093243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4093243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4093243B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pull-out guide (3) comprising a stationary guide rail (5) and a running rail (6) which is movable relative to the guide rail (5), wherein a central rail (50) can be optionally provided between the running rail (6) and the guide rail (5), a fastening part (12) being fixed to the running rail (6) on or in a front end portion of the running rail (6), on which fastening part a connection part (11) for fixing a drawer system (4) is arranged, the connection part (11) being held so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the running rail (6) relative to the fastening part (12). At least two spaced-apart fastening means (17, 40) are provided on the connection part (11), by means of which fastening means at least two different types of drawer systems (4) can be fixed to the pull-out guide (3).