Vertical Drawer Guide Rail Assembly With Self-Aligning Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cupboard pull-out systems face positional inaccuracies during assembly, which can lead to suboptimal performance of self-closing mechanisms due to increased installation depth and relative position variations between guide rails.
Innovation Solution
The latching means on the guide rail associated with the pull-out frame is made movable, with an opening on the cabinet body's guide rail allowing for relative translational adjustment, enabling automatic alignment and secure attachment of the pull-out frame during assembly, ensuring correct positioning and optimal self-closing functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the guide rail is fixed rigidly during assembly, then the assembly process is simple, but positional inaccuracies occur and self-closing mechanism performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is designed with a movable section that can shift position during assembly. The latching means allows the guide rail to be positioned at different locations along its length, enabling automatic compensation for assembly tolerances. This dynamic positioning capability ensures precise final positioning without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
2Reliability
If the installation depth is increased to accommodate locked guide rails, then the guide rails can be securely locked, but the self-closing mechanism performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system is divided into a fixed portion attached to the cabinet body and a movable portion attached to the pull-out frame. The latching means connects these segments while allowing relative movement. This segmentation enables the locking function to be decoupled from the self-closing mechanism operation, allowing both to function optimally without requiring excessive installation depth.
3Device complexity
If the latching means is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but automatic adjustment during assembly cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The latching means is designed to automatically adjust the position of the guide rail during assembly through spring-loaded engagement. When the pull-out frame is inserted, the latching means automatically shifts to the correct position and locks, without requiring manual intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms. The spring force provides automatic positioning while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This solution allows for precise assembly and secure attachment of the pull-out frame, ensuring the self-closing mechanism operates optimally even with increased installation depth, eliminating the need for complex adjustments and ensuring accurate positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The latching means can be moved out of this opening again in the final assembly position by Latching means then penetrates under the influence of a spring force in a corresponding opening in the pull-out frame
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The cupboard drawer has a drawer frame (4) movably arranged in an inner space of a cupboard body (2). A furniture front (3) is supported at the drawer frame. The furniture front fits at a furniture body in the closed position of the cupboard drawer. The cupboard drawer also has two guide rails (8) associated with each other. The former guide rail is automatically movable in a relatively translatory manner in drawing direction against the latter guide rail by a locking unit during the mounting of the drawer frame at the assigned guide rail.