Tilt front drawer with locking slide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pull-out drawers in appliances, especially shallow-depth drawers, can cause damage when the front portion is tilted downward and retracted inward, potentially harming the drawer or the freezer door beneath it.

Innovation Solution

A drawer assembly with a tilting front that includes a handle assembly and a slide assembly featuring a catch lever, allowing the drawer front to be selectively locked in place, preventing damage during retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the drawer front is allowed to tilt forward for easy item removal, then ease of operation is improved, but damage may occur to the drawer front or freezer door when retracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of item removalVSAvoiddamage to drawer front or freezer door

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catch lever is positioned to engage with the sliding support before the drawer front can tilt forward and cause damage. This preliminary engagement prevents the harmful action (damage) from occurring in the first place by establishing a mechanical constraint that blocks the damaging motion path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The slide assembly incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism where the catch lever can transition between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, it prevents forward tilting; when disengaged, it allows controlled movement. This dynamic behavior enables the system to switch between protection mode and operation mode based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent damage during retraction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage-free operationVSAvoidcomplexity of slide mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged into the existing slide assembly structure. The catch lever and sliding support are integrated components that work together as part of the slide mechanism, rather than being separate locking devices. This combining of functions reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catch lever automatically engages with the sliding support through its own movement during drawer operation. The mechanism is self-actuating, using the natural motion of the drawer to trigger the locking action without requiring external control systems, motors, or complex actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20220133037A1Tilt front drawer with locking slide

Publication Date: 2022.05.05 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A drawer assembly for an appliance includes a drawer front providing selective access to a drawer recess, a handle assembly attached to the drawer front, and a slide assembly attached to the drawer front. The slide assembly includes a fixed slide mounted to the appliance, a sliding support coupling the drawer front to the fixed slide, and a catch lever operably coupled to the fixed slide and the sliding support. The catch lever is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position to selectively fix the sliding support relative to the fixed slide.