Telescopic Extension Tongue Locking for Easy Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing telescopic extension arrangements in refrigerated compartments face difficulties in inserting tongues into narrow slots due to friction, making it hard to handle heavy and cumbersome parts, and there is a risk of accidental detachment.

Innovation Solution

The gap width is made greater than the tongue thickness to allow easy insertion, with a second, smaller tongue inserted afterwards, secured by a push-on cap that can be elastically deformed for easy detachment, and additional projections for positive locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the slot is made narrow to prevent accidental detachment through friction, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of insertion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two distinct tongues: a first tongue for primary structural connection and a second tongue for secondary securing. This segmentation allows the first tongue to engage in a wider slot for easy insertion, while the second tongue provides additional friction-based securing, thus resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a push-on cap as an intermediary component that facilitates the insertion of tongues into slots. The cap provides a larger surface area for handling and applies force to guide the tongue into the slot, making insertion easier even when the slot is narrow, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the supported part is made heavy and cumbersome to provide structural strength, then the strength of the telescopic arrangement is improved, but the ease of handling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The push-on cap serves as a mediator that improves handling ease without compromising structural strength. The cap provides a large ergonomic surface for gripping and applying force, making it easy to manipulate the heavy supported part during installation and operation, while the underlying structural components maintain the required strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct manual handling of the heavy supported part with a mechanical assistance system involving the push-on cap and tongue mechanism. The cap acts as a lever and force distribution element, reducing the effort required to manipulate heavy components while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 easier insertion of tongues and reduces the risk of accidental detachment by providing a secure yet easy-to-handle mechanism for the telescopic extensions.

Implementation Method 1

For securing, the second tongue is preferably held in a frictionally engaged manner in the gap.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The push-on cap should expediently be elastically deformable in order to be able to detach the latching lug from the bridge and, if necessary, to be able to pull out the second tongue.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1881775B1Arrangement of telescopic extensions
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP1881775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1881775B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1881775B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An arrangement of telescopic extensions, in particular for a refrigerating device, comprises two telescopic extensions and a movable part (5) carried by the telescopic extensions, such as a door or carrier for refrigerated goods. Bridges (12) are mounted on movable rails (7) of the telescopic extensions (6) and delimit, together with the movable rail (7), a gap (25) for receiving a first tongue (13) of the carried part (5). The width of the gap (25) is larger than the thickness of the first tongue (13), and a second tongue (21) is inserted into the free space remaining after the first tongue (13) is inserted into the gap (25).