Self-closing drawers are used in high-end products, such as furniture, home appliances, and a range of other storage devices. In this study, a self-closing mechanism is proposed. A system consisting of a friction latch, constant force spring, rotary damper with rack, and pinion is developed. The retracting drawer can be latched at any position and can be reactivated by simple touch. The constant force spring and rotary damper offer smooth closing action. The ergonomic quality of the closing action is quantified by an index based on velocity-time behavior. The effects of various design parameters are analyzed with a dynamics model and experimentally validated by prototype testing.
