Adjustable Ejection Lever for Uniform Drawer Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejector levers are not universally adaptable and can cause noise and uneven force distribution when used with drawers of varying widths, as their length and shape are optimized for specific widths, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A length-variable ejector lever with at least two sections that can be connected and adjusted using a snap connection or worm gear mechanism, allowing for customizable length and smooth curvature to accommodate different drawer widths, and driven by an electric motor with touch-latch functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a predetermined ejector lever with fixed length is used, then the lever body is optimized for a specific drawer width, but it cannot be used universally for drawers of different widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different drawer widthsVSAvoidcomplexity of lever body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever body is divided into a first section and a second section that can be connected or separated. The first section has a first contact surface for contacting the movable furniture part, while the second section has a second contact surface. This segmentation allows the lever to be adapted to different drawer widths by adjusting the configuration of sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lever body transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic configurable structure. The sections can be connected in different configurations or separated entirely, allowing the lever to dynamically adapt its effective length and contact characteristics to match different drawer widths and ejection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If an ejector lever optimized for narrow drawers is used in wide drawers, then the lever body is too short for optimal performance, but if optimized for wide drawers, it causes noise and uneven force distribution in narrow drawers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection performance consistencyVSAvoidnoise and uneven force distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the lever body into separable sections, the system can optimize the effective lever length for each specific application. For narrow drawers, only the first section is used to prevent contact with rear wall brackets and reduce noise. For wide drawers, both sections are connected to provide sufficient reach and proper force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the lever body are designed with specific contact surfaces optimized for different contact scenarios. The first contact surface on the first section is optimized for narrow drawer applications, while the second contact surface on the second section is optimized for wide drawer applications, ensuring locally optimal performance in each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the lever body length is fixed for a specific drawer width, then manufacturing is simple, but multiple ejector lever variants are needed for different drawer widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiduniversal applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lever body is manufactured as separate standardized sections that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes. These modular sections can then be connected in different configurations or supplied as complete assemblies for different drawer widths, reducing the need for multiple specialized manufacturing lines while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first section is designed as a universal base component that can function independently for narrow drawers or be combined with the second section for wide drawers. This universal first section reduces the number of unique components needed across different drawer width applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2124676B1Ejection lever for an ejector
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2124676B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1f
  • EP2124676B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2124676B1 patent drawingFigure 2e~2f

AI summary

The invention relates to an ejection lever for an ejector for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed final position in, or on a furniture body, having an elongated lever body, wherein the lever body (2) is configured such that the length thereof can be adjusted.