Sliding Arrangement Locking Element for Low-Energy Drawer Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding arrangements for drawers and doors struggle to optimally utilize kinetic energy for smooth closure, especially when the drawer is moving slowly, leading to inefficient operation and potential failure in closing due to insufficient kinetic energy to tension the push-out spring.
Innovation Solution
A sliding arrangement where a locking element is actuated by a bar with a low energy requirement, allowing for efficient release and use of kinetic energy to close the drawer, with a spring system that includes a pressure spring and a draw spring to optimize the slide-out path and minimize the force needed for closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring system with high spring constant is used to ensure reliable closure, then closure reliability is improved, but the force required to initiate closure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two springs with different spring constants (k1 and k2) to provide varying force characteristics at different stages of the closure path. The first spring (with higher spring constant) ensures reliable closure in the final portion, while the second spring (with lower spring constant) reduces the force required to initiate movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between closure reliability and ease of initiation.
2Extent of automation
If kinetic energy is used to tension the push-out spring, then automation is improved, but the system fails when drawer movement is too slow
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element acts as an intermediary mechanism that decouples the automation from kinetic energy dependency. It provides a mechanical switching function that can be actuated by minimal energy input, enabling the automated closure sequence to proceed even when the drawer moves slowly, thus maintaining both automation and reliability.
3Extent of automation
If a complex switching arrangement is used to release the pulling arrangement, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is merged with the bar mechanism, combining the switching function and the release actuation into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the automated release function, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and device complexity.
4Reliability
If the locking element requires high energy to move from parking position, then locking reliability is improved, but kinetic energy utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the locking element with a low spring constant (k3) for the bar spring, enabling it to be actuated with minimal energy input. This allows the kinetic energy of slowly moving drawers to be effectively utilized for releasing the locking element, thereby improving kinetic energy utilization efficiency while maintaining adequate locking reliability through the mechanical design of the locking engagement.
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 that even slowly moving drawers can be efficiently pulled into a closed position without additional user input, utilizing the kinetic energy effectively and maintaining a compact design with reduced assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The slide-out device uses a spring which, after the push-latch mechanism has been triggered, pushes the sliding piece into the partially open position. The pulling arrangement uses another spring, that is to say, a retraction spring which serves to pull the drawer in the last portion of its adjustment path into the closure position.
Implementation Method 2
At the same time, a damper is effective and prevents a harsh stoppage of the drawer in the closure position.
Implementation Method 3
During the closure operation of the drawer, the kinetic energy of the drawer is used in order to tension the pull-out spring in order to simulate the most 'natural closure operation' possible
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding arrangement, in particular a slide-out device for drawers, sliding doors, etc., includes a sliding piece and a pulling arrangement which can be coupled together by a coupling piece. The pulling arrangement can be placed in a resiliently pretensioned manner in a parking position and can be blocked in the parking position by a locking element. In order to ensure a reliable movement of a drawer or the like into the closure position, the locking element may be locked in the parking position of the pulling arrangement by a bar.