Resilient Pull-Out Guide Stops for Quiet Oven Rail Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-out guides for household appliances generate loud impact noises when baking trays are opened or closed due to abrupt stops, which can be misleading and cause wear at contact points, and previous solutions like bellows are unsuitable for oven use due to heat and contamination concerns.

Innovation Solution

A resilient stop is integrated into the pull-out guide, designed to brake the sliding element without loud noises, made of sheet metal and fixed on the running rail, providing a braking function and protection from contamination, and can be used as an elastic path limiter, reducing noise and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a rigid stop is used to limit the movement of the sliding element, then the path limitation function is achieved, but loud impact noises and wear at contact points occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement path limitationVSAvoidimpact noises and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element is designed with resilient properties (made of elastomeric material or as a spring element) to provide cushioning before the actual stop occurs. This allows the sliding element to be decelerated gradually through the elastic deformation of the stop element, converting the harmful impact into elastic energy storage and release, thereby eliminating loud impact noises and reducing wear at contact points while maintaining effective path limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If bellows are used as a damper to brake the running rail movement, then impact noises are reduced, but the solution is unsuitable for oven use due to heat and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact noisesVSAvoidsuitability for oven environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient stop element is designed as a simple, robust component made from heat-resistant elastomeric material or metal spring that can withstand harsh oven environments. Unlike bellows which are complex and sensitive to heat, this stop element is inherently resistant to high temperatures and contamination, making it suitable for permanent installation in ovens and other demanding applications where maintenance is difficult.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the running rail is braked too abruptly to prevent noise, then impact noises are reduced, but the braking effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact noisesVSAvoidbraking force
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient component that can deform elastically during the braking process. This dynamic behavior allows the stop element to extend over a longer distance during deceleration, spreading the braking force over time and distance. The resilient material properties enable the system to maintain high braking force while avoiding abrupt stops that generate noise, achieving both noise reduction and effective braking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 resilient stop effectively decelerates the sliding element, reducing noise and wear, and can be used in ovens, ensuring convenient handling and low component count by integrating the stop with a latching mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one stop for the sliding element is designed to be resilient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3307110B1Pull-out guide and domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3307110B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3307110B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3307110B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pull-out guide (1), in particular for household appliances, comprising a stationary guide rail and a running rail (2) which is movably supported relative to the guide rail, on which a moving push element (14) is supported, wherein at least one stop (5, 5', 13, 20, 25, 30, 40) for limiting the movement of the push element (14) relative to the running rail (2) is provided on the running rail (2), wherein the at least one stop (5, 5', 13, 20, 25, 30, 40) for the push element (13) is designed in a resilient manner. The invention further relates to a domestic appliance comprising such a pull-out guide (1).