Quick-Action Rail Fastener With Rigid Latch Against Misoperation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick-action fastening elements for pull-out guides are prone to incorrect operation and risk of injury due to manual manipulation of locking elements, which can lead to insecure fastening and assembly issues.

Innovation Solution

A rigid latching element integrated with the clip, featuring a band-shaped section with a U-shaped recess, provides a secure fastening mechanism that prevents accidental manual actuation by requiring tool-assisted release and utilizing material elasticity for movement, with a design that includes a starting bevel for easy assembly and prevents removal parallel to the rod.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manually pivotable locking element is used, then the fastening can be easily assembled and disassembled, but incorrect operation and risk of injury occur due to manual manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidprotection against incorrect operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element's geometry is changed by adding an elevation that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rod, transforming it from a freely pivotable element to a band-shaped element with restricted movement. This geometric parameter change prevents manual actuation while maintaining tool-assisted assembly and disassembly capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a locking element that is easily manipulated by hand for quick release, the invention inverts the approach by creating a locking element that resists manual manipulation. The rigid band-shaped design with elevation requires tool assistance, reversing the conventional wisdom that quick-release mechanisms should be manually operable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a rigid latching element with band-shaped section is used, then accidental manual actuation is prevented, but the forces required to move the latching element are many times greater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental disassemblyVSAvoidforce required to move latching element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The elevation on the locking element acts as an intermediary mechanical advantage structure. When tool assistance is applied, the elevation geometry provides leverage that reduces the effective force needed to move the rigid band-shaped latching element, mediating between the high rigidity requirement and the force application requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

While the latching element is designed to be rigid under normal conditions to prevent accidental actuation, the invention introduces dynamic behavior during tool-assisted assembly and disassembly. The elevation geometry allows controlled elastic deformation when proper tool force is applied, enabling movement only under intentional, tool-assisted conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the elevation extends to the central area of the rod, then a form-fitting receptacle is realized, but the assembly requires precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform-fitting connectionVSAvoidassembly precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The starting bevel on the elevation is designed to perform preliminary positioning action during assembly. The beveled surface guides the locking element into correct alignment with the rod before final engagement, pre-establishing the precise positioning required for the form-fitting connection without requiring high precision during the final assembly step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures secure and error-proof fastening of the pull-out guide to the side part, enhancing safety and reliability by preventing accidental disassembly and ensuring a strong, form-fitting connection.

Implementation Method 1

the elasticity of the material must be used to move the elevation when snapping the quick-release fastener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2313693B1Quick-action fastening element
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2313693B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2313693B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2313693B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a quick-action fastening element (70) for fastening a rail (62) of a pull-out guide (60) on a horizontal rod (2) of a grid-like side part (4), in particular for baking ovens, wherein the rod (2) has an end portion (5) which is bent away at an angle to a longitudinal direction and the quick-action fastening element (70) has a first clip (71), which at least partially engages around a portion of the rod (2) arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a second clip (76) which at least partially engages around the bent-away end portion (5), wherein a latching element (74) which engages behind the rod (2) and prevents the quick-action fastening element (70) from being pulled out in a direction parallel to the bent-away end portion (5) is provided, wherein the latching element (74) is in the form of a rigid elevation formed integrally with the first or second clip (71, 76).