Pull-Out Rail Free-Running Segment to Prevent Roller Flattening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides for furniture parts, such as drawers, experience increased running noise due to deformation of plastic rolling elements during prolonged idle times, and additional rolling elements not loaded in normal operation increase material costs without enhancing weight-carrying capacity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a free-running segment on the running surfaces where the first rolling elements are positioned in a retracted state, allowing them to be engaged with both surfaces outside the segment and only one surface within, ensuring only the second rolling elements carry the load during idle times, thus preventing deformation and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic rolling elements are used to reduce rolling noise, then running noise is reduced, but the rolling elements flatten during prolonged idle times causing increased running noise
Solution Approach 1:
The running surface is segmented into a loaded segment and a free-running segment. The free-running segment allows the first rolling element to be relieved from load during retracted state, preventing deformation while maintaining noise reduction benefits of plastic rolling elements
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the running surface have different functional requirements. The loaded segment provides guidance and load bearing, while the free-running segment provides relief from deformation. This local differentiation allows the rolling element to maintain its shape during idle times
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rolling elements with different diameters are used to prevent deformation in closed state, then running noise is reduced, but additional rolling elements increase material costs
Solution Approach 1:
The disturbing factor (load on first rolling element during idle time) is extracted by creating a free-running segment where the first rolling element is relieved from load. This eliminates the need for additional rolling elements while maintaining the benefit of preventing deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between running surfaces is changed within the free-running segment to create a larger gap, allowing the first rolling element to be relieved from load. This parameter change prevents deformation without requiring additional rolling elements
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 reduces running noise by preventing deformation of the first rolling elements and maintaining optimal running properties, as the first elements determine the distance between the rails, even when second rolling elements are deformed, ensuring smooth operation and reduced material costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first rolling element and at least one second rolling element are arranged between the pull-out rails, which rolling elements are rotatably retained in a rolling-element cage
Implementation Method 2
the running surfaces have a greater distance from each other within the free-running segment than outside the free-running segment
Data Source
AI summary
A pull-out guide for furniture parts that can be moved in relation to each other includes at least two pull-out rails, each having at least one running surface, between which at least one first rolling element and at least one second rolling element are arranged. The rolling elements may be rotatably retained in at least one rolling-element cage. The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element of the rolling-element cage have an identical nominal diameter. The pull-out guide is distinguished in that at least one of the running surfaces has a free-running segment in which the at least one first rolling element is positioned in a retracted state of the pull-out guide, the running surfaces having a greater distance from each other inside the free-running segment than outside the free-running segment.