Runner for drawer elements movable relative to a carcass of a piece of furniture or household appliance, and piece of furniture or household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out guides for sliding elements in furniture and appliances do not ensure a permanent power supply to consumers on movable sliding elements, as they rely on intermittent contact or specific positioning relative to a voltage source.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out guide with a body rail and running rail system that includes a circuit board extending over the body rail, a contact device with conductive contact elements, and a connecting element to ensure permanent electrical connection to a power consumer, allowing for continuous power supply to movable sliding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sliding elements are moved relative to a body of furniture or household appliance, then the sliding elements can be positioned flexibly, but permanent power supply to consumers on sliding elements cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board extends continuously along the entire length of the carcass rail, ensuring that electrical contact is maintained at all times during the movement of the sliding element. This continuous arrangement eliminates intermittent contact and ensures uninterrupted power supply to consumers on the sliding element throughout its range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
A contact element serves as an intermediary between the circuit board on the carcass rail and the consumer on the sliding element. This contact element facilitates continuous electrical connection through the mechanical interface of the pull-out guide, enabling power transmission while allowing relative movement between the fixed body and the movable sliding element.
2Use of energy by moving object
If sliding elements require alignment with a voltage source for power supply, then power can be supplied to the sliding elements, but constant alignment is required which reduces operational ease
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is arranged to extend along the entire length of the carcass rail, creating a continuous electrical connection path. This eliminates the need for the sliding element to be aligned with a specific voltage source position, as power is available throughout the entire travel range of the sliding element.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves as a universal power distribution element that provides electrical connection at all positions along the carcass rail. This multi-position capability allows the sliding element to access power at any point in its range of motion, eliminating the need for precise alignment with a single voltage source.
3Use of energy by moving object
If current conductors are arranged on movable sliding elements, then power can be transmitted to the sliding elements, but insulation and safety cannot be ensured when touched
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element acts as an isolated intermediary that transfers electrical energy from the circuit board to the consumer on the sliding element. This intermediary arrangement allows power transmission while maintaining electrical isolation, as the contact element is designed to make controlled contact only with the circuit board and the consumer, preventing direct exposure of current-carrying components to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board with its current-carrying components is extracted from the movable sliding element and fixed to the stationary carcass rail. This separation removes the hazard of exposed conductors on the movable sliding element, as the current-carrying circuit board remains in the fixed, protected position while still providing power through the isolated contact element interface.
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
Enables reliable and permanent power supply to consumers on sliding elements, ensuring continuous operation without the need for constant alignment with a voltage source, while allowing for easy maintenance and insulation of components.
Implementation Method 1
a contact device with at least one electrically conductive contact element, which is in permanent electrical contact with the circuit board when installed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A runner (3) for drawer elements, in particular drawers or trays, that are movable relative to a carcass (2) of a piece of furniture (1) or a household appliance, has: a carcass rail (31) that can be secured directly or via a carcass bracket to a carcass (2) of the piece of furniture (1) or the household appliance; a running rail (32) that can be secured to the movable drawer element; and electric conductors for transmitting electrical energy to a power consumer positioned on the movable drawer element, wherein positioned on the carcass rail (31) or the carcass bracket is a printed circuit board (43) extending over the length of the carcass rail (31), and positioned on the running rail (32) is a contact apparatus (5) that has at least one electrically conductive contact element (53) which, when mounted, makes permanent electrical contact with the printed circuit board (43), and has a connecting element (8) that is electrically connected to the contact element (53) for connecting to the movable drawer element. The invention also relates to a piece of furniture or a household appliance.