Push-Latch Drawer Slide for Low-Force Handle-Free Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer slide mechanisms, such as detents and self-closing slides, often require additional space, excessive force to open, or dexterous manipulation to unlock, which can be aesthetically unpleasing or functionally undesirable, especially in applications like medical settings.
Innovation Solution
A drawer slide with a push-latch device that includes an outer and inner slide, a guide block with a spring to bias the inner slide to the extended position, and a moveable body with a ramped projection and basin to engage and disengage the inner slide, allowing for self-opening and latching without additional space or excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detent is used to maintain the drawer in closed position, then the drawer remains closed without additional space, but excessive force is required to open the drawer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic latching mechanism where the latch member can move between engaged and disengaged states. The spring member provides dynamic force to automatically engage the latch when the drawer closes, while the ramped surface enables controlled disengagement with minimal force when pushed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining closed position reliability and reducing opening force.
2Ease of operation
If a spring is used in self-closing drawer slides, then the drawer is automatically pulled to closed position, but excessive force is required to open lightly loaded drawers
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the spring force and the drawer. The spring provides closing force, but the latch member controls the opening action by requiring only minimal force to disengage from the engaged position via its ramped surface, eliminating the need to overcome full spring force to open the drawer.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are used to keep drawers closed, then the drawer remains securely closed, but dexterous manipulation is required to unlock
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is designed to automatically engage with the engagement member when the drawer closes, providing secure closing without manual intervention. For opening, the ramped surface allows the latch to be easily disengaged with a simple push motion, eliminating the need for dexterous manipulation while maintaining secure closed position.
4Ease of operation
If handles are added to drawers kept closed by detents, then users can easily open drawers, but handles are aesthetically unpleasing or functionally undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The push-latch mechanism enables the drawer to be opened by a simple push on the drawer front itself, eliminating the need for separate handles. The ramped surface on the latch member converts the push force into effective latch disengagement, allowing the drawer body to serve its own opening function while maintaining clean aesthetics.
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 provides a compact, user-friendly mechanism that maintains the drawer in a closed position without additional space requirements and allows easy opening without excessive force, enhancing usability and aesthetics in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring coupled to any one of the outer slide and the inner slide and configured to bias the inner slide to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
a moveable body with a ramped projection and basin to engage and disengage the inner slide
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer slide includes an outer slide, an inner slide moveable relative to the outer slide between a closed position and an extended position, a first engagement member, a second engagement member moveable by engagement with the first engagement member between a latched position to latch the inner slide in the closed position and an unlatched position disengaged from the second engagement member, and a first spring coupled to any one of the outer slide and the inner slide and configured to bias the inner slide to the extended position when the inner slide is proximate to the closed position.