Adjustable Actuating Lever for Cabinet Closure Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for movably mounted flaps, doors, and drawers often fail to provide easy operation, especially in varying installation situations such as base cabinets and high wall cabinets, as the actuating element cannot be adjusted to suit different orientations and reach requirements.
Innovation Solution
A closure system where the actuating element is connected to a rotatably mounted lever arm, allowing adjustment in two directions, enabling the lever end or deflection lever end to move in the opening direction of the bolt, regardless of the actuation direction, with a magnetic connection for effortless closure and opening, and a holding element to prevent accidental closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is fixed in a single position, then the closure structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different installation situations and is difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is made adjustable in two directions through a lever arm mechanism with a deflection lever, allowing the closure to adapt to different installation situations (base cabinets, wall cabinets, side arrangements) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The lever arm can be positioned at different angles and locations to accommodate various operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism is designed with a universal actuating element that can function in multiple installation configurations. The same basic mechanism serves different purposes depending on its adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple specialized closures for different cabinet types and positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuating element is made adjustable in multiple directions, then it can accommodate different installation situations, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm is designed with rotational freedom around a mounting point, enabling it to assume different angular positions. The deflection lever provides an additional degree of freedom, allowing the actuating element to reach optimal positions for various installation scenarios without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating mechanism is divided into separable components: the lever arm, the deflection lever, and the bolt assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned, providing adaptability while keeping individual component complexity low.
3Ease of operation
If a spring force is used to return the lever to closed position, then the closure automatically resets, but it may cause accidental closure under vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic connection between the bolt and blocking element creates a preliminary holding force that counteracts the spring's closing tendency. This magnetic attraction prevents accidental closure by maintaining a stable locked position even when vibrations occur, while still allowing easy manual override when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The purely mechanical spring-return system is enhanced with a magnetic connection that provides a non-contact holding force. This substitution reduces reliance on mechanical friction and spring pressure alone, creating a more reliable locking mechanism that resists accidental activation while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables easy operation by allowing the user to adjust the actuating element to their preferred direction, ensuring smooth and jerk-free opening and closing, while preventing unintentional closure even under vibrations, thus accommodating different installation scenarios with minimal force required.
Implementation Method 1
the bolt and the blocking element are each assigned a magnetic or magnetizable part to form a magnetic connection between the bolt and the blocking element, and that the bolt closed flap, door, drawer or the like can be adjusted into the closed position by a magnetic force acting in the magnetic connection
Implementation Method 2
By actuating the actuating member against a spring force acting on it, the lever is pivoted in such a way that the latching hook is disengaged from the latching element. When the actuating element is released, the spring force moves the lever back into the closed position of the locking hook.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a closure for locking a movably mounted flap, door, drawer, or the like to a body, a door frame, a wall, or the like, comprising a locking element and a movably mounted latch. The latch is locked against the locking element in a locking position when the closure is closed, and the latch is not engaged with the locking element when the closure is open. The closure is paired with an adjusting element comprising an actuating element for adjusting the latch from a closed position of the latch into an unlocked position of the latch against the force of a restoring element acting directly or indirectly on the latch. The adjusting element can be moved out of a neutral position in at least two different actuation directions via the actuating element, and the adjusting element is designed to adjust the latch from the closed position of the latch into the unlocked position of the latch regardless of the selected actuation direction. The closure allows a simple actuation in different assembly situations.