Sliding Door Guide Assembly with Parallel Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide arrangements for sliding doors, particularly in cupboard furniture, are not suitable for horizontal movement as they are complex to assemble and have a visible cable pull, which is not compact in design.
Innovation Solution
A guide arrangement featuring a cable pull system with deflection rollers on opposite sides of the guide rail, allowing two sliding doors to move in opposite directions, with a holder and fastening mechanism that simplifies assembly and provides a compact design, enabling easy installation and tensioning of the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cable pull system is used for horizontal sliding doors, then the doors can be coupled and moved in opposite directions, but the cable pull becomes visible and the design is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The cable pull is routed through deflection rollers that redirect the cable path from a straight horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional path that follows the guide rail profile. This dimensional change allows the cable to remain functional while becoming hidden within the guide rail structure, achieving compactness without sacrificing door coupling capability
Solution Approach 2:
Deflection rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the cable pull and the guide rail. These rollers mediate the cable's path, allowing it to bend and follow the guide rail's contour, thereby hiding the cable from view while maintaining its mechanical function of coupling the sliding doors
2Adaptability or versatility
If deflection rollers are mounted on holders fixed to inner walls of sliding doors, then door coupling is achieved, but assembly and alignment becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection rollers are merged with the guide rail structure itself, eliminating the need for separate holders and inner wall fixtures. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly, as the deflection function is built into the guide rail that already exists in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail serves multiple functions: it guides the sliding doors along its length and simultaneously houses the deflection rollers for cable routing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining door coupling capability
3Ease of manufacture
If the cable pull strand is arranged in front of the guide rail, then the cable can be routed, but the strand is visible and the design is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is routed from a two-dimensional plane in front of the guide rail into a three-dimensional path that wraps around and follows the guide rail's profile. This dimensional transition allows the cable to be routed effectively while becoming hidden within the guide rail's structure, achieving compactness without compromising routing ease
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
Facilitates simple assembly and a compact design, allowing two sliding doors to move independently while maintaining a small depth, with the cable tensioned parallel to the guide rail to avoid visibility and friction issues.
Implementation Method 1
the cable pull running parallel to the guide rail via two deflection rollers arranged on opposite sides
Implementation Method 2
the fastening means is fixed to the holder in a self-locking manner and tensile forces from the cable pull can be transmitted to the holder on the stop via the fastening means
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a guide assembly for horizontally moveable sliding doors (4,5), in particular for furniture, comprising a guide rail (13) along which at least two sliding doors (4, 5) are moveably held, wherein each sliding door (4, 5) can be moved via at least one guide part (8, 9) with at least one roller (12) attached to the guide rail (13), and the two sliding doors (4, 5) are coupled to a control cable (10) via the guide parts (8, 9), wherein the control cable (10) is moveably held in parallel to the guide rail (13) via at least two deflection rollers (11, 12) arranged on opposite sides. According to the invention, a holder (30) is provided for securing the control cable (10) to the guide part (8, 9), which can be secured to the guide part (8, 9) and on which at least one securing means (31) is provided for the control cable, which is moveably secured to the holder (30) and supported on a stop (36) of the holder (30). The invention also relates to a cupboard unit having a guide assembly.