Sliding Container with Rail-Integrated Lock for Secure Drawer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding containers for drinks stations are aesthetically unpleasing, poorly protected from dust and contamination, and lack access security, especially for expensive coffee machine capsules.
Innovation Solution
A sliding container with a housing featuring integrated, horizontally arranged rails and support struts for stability and weight distribution, including a lock mechanism that interacts with support struts for secure drawer locking, allowing for a cost-effective design with optional locks for access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an open box system is used for storing ingredients and accessories, then accessibility and visibility are improved, but aesthetic appearance and protection from dust/contamination worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple separate drawers within the housing, each drawer independently accessible. This segmentation allows the front to remain closed (protecting from dust) while individual drawers can be opened for access to specific items.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple drawers are nested within the housing structure, with each drawer containing storage compartments. The drawers are nested within the main body, allowing the exterior to remain closed while providing internal access points.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thick side walls are used in the housing, then structural stability is improved, but weight and material consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are segmented by introducing vertical rails and support struts that divide the wall structure into smaller, reinforced sections. This allows thin walls to achieve the stability of thick walls through strategic structural division.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing wall thickness (one dimension), the solution adds structural elements in the vertical dimension (rails and support struts) to provide stability without increasing horizontal wall thickness, thus reducing weight while maintaining strength.
3Ease of operation
If a complex rail arrangement with multiple flanges is used for each drawer, then drawer guidance and stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-flange rail system is extracted and replaced with a simplified single-rail design. The essential guidance function is retained while removing unnecessary structural elements (multiple flanges), reducing complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified rail structure serves multiple functions: it provides drawer guidance, supports the drawer weight, and integrates with the support struts for overall structural stability. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate complex components.
4Reliability
If additional grooves or closure elements are introduced in side walls for lock interaction, then drawer locking security is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The support struts serve dual purposes: they provide structural support for the thin side walls and simultaneously serve as the locking interaction surface for the drawer locks. This eliminates the need for separate grooves or closure elements in the side walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The support struts are merged with the locking mechanism interface, combining the structural support function and the security locking function into a single integrated element. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding container (1), in particular for a drinks station, which comprises a housing (2) with opposite side walls (3). These have a number of pairs of opposing, parallel rails (8) and a number of support struts (9) arranged between the rails. A number of drawers (10, 11, 12) are guided in the rails (8). Furthermore, at least one of the drawers (10) has a lock (13) which interacts positively with a support strut (9) to lock the drawer.