Adjustable Coupling Element for Variable Damping in Sliding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping units for sliding elements, such as furniture and appliance parts, cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate different weights and personal preferences for damping behavior without altering the damping path, which is not desirable in all applications.
Innovation Solution
A damping unit with a linear damper having a damping path longer than the displacement path, featuring an adjustable coupling element that allows different sections of the damping path to be assigned to the displacement path, enabling varying damping strengths through a conical cylinder design and channel or projection variations, and adjustable coupling positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the damping path length is changed to adjust damping performance for different masses, then the damping force can be adapted to different weights, but the damping path length changes which is not desired in many applications
Solution Approach 1:
The damping path is segmented into multiple adjustable sections. The coupling element can be positioned at different locations along the damping path, effectively dividing the total damping path into usable segments. This allows selection of appropriate damping path length for different masses without changing the overall damper structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element provides dynamic adjustability of the damping path length. By moving the coupling element to different positions, the effective damping path length can be dynamically changed to match different mass requirements, while the physical damper structure remains static.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transmission elements are added between the driver and linear damper to adjust damping behavior, then damping properties can be customized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves multiple functions: it couples the driver to the linear damper, allows adjustment of damping path length, and enables customization of damping behavior. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate transmission elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary between the driver and the linear damper. This intermediary component provides the adjustment mechanism without requiring complex transmission elements, simplifying the overall system while enabling customization.
3Force
If a longer damping path is used to accommodate heavier masses, then the damping unit can handle larger masses, but the overall size of the damping unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping path is segmented so that only the necessary portion is activated based on the mass being supported. The coupling element allows selection of the appropriate damping path segment, ensuring that the damping unit size matches the actual requirements rather than being oversized for all potential applications.
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 simple adjustment of damping behavior independently of the damping path length, providing customizable damping forces based on user preferences and mass variations, ensuring optimal performance across different sliding element weights and applications.
Implementation Method 1
the linear damper has damping properties that vary along the damping path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a damping unit (10) for a sliding element (3), in particular a movable furniture part, a movable element of a domestic appliance or a sliding or folding door, having a linearly guided driver (12), which interacts with an actuator (5) connected directly or indirectly to the sliding element (3), and which is coupled to a linear damper (16). The damping unit (10) is distinguished by the fact that the linear damper (16) has a damping travel which is longer than a displacement travel of the driver (12); the linear damper has damping properties that vary along the damping travel; and there is an adjustable coupling element (17), which optionally assigns different sections (21, 22) of the damping travel to the displacement travel of the driver (12).