Adjustable Fluid Damper Piston for Furniture Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dampers for adjustable furniture parts lack the ability to adapt damping properties to suit various intended uses, particularly for large and heavy furniture, as the resistance is fixed by the size of through openings, making it difficult to adjust for different applications without disassembling the damper.
Innovation Solution
The fluid damper incorporates a detent connection that allows for pre-adjustment of the through-flow cross section of the fluid, enabling adaptation to different uses by maintaining a constant rotary position of the piston relative to the cylinder, which can be adjusted externally without disassembly, using a locking element with a sleeve, external gear, internal gear, and central cone, and an adjusting wheel to control the flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the through opening size in the piston is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but the damping properties cannot be adjusted for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flow cross-section adjustable rather than fixed. The closing element can be positioned at different locations along the piston rod, dynamically changing the effective flow area of the through-opening. This allows the damping properties to be adapted to different applications (light vs. heavy furniture) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the piston rod and the through-opening. By positioning this closing element at different distances from the piston rod, the effective flow cross-section is adjusted, thereby changing the damping characteristics without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the piston itself.
2Force
If the through opening size is reduced to increase resistance, then the damping force increases, but the damper becomes too rigid for heavy furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the effective flow cross-section parameter to be varied based on the application requirements. For heavy furniture, a larger effective cross-section (smaller closing element distance) provides lower resistance and higher adaptability. For light furniture, a smaller effective cross-section (larger closing element distance) provides higher damping force. This single mechanism handles both extremes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed orifice to a dynamic, adjustable orifice. The closing element's position can be changed to match the weight characteristics of different furniture pieces, making the damping force adaptable rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction between needing high damping for heavy furniture and avoiding excessive rigidity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the closing element is positioned close to the piston rod, then the flow resistance is low for heavy furniture, but the damping is insufficient for lighter furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The effective flow cross-section parameter is changed by adjusting the closing element position. For heavy furniture, the closing element is positioned close to the piston rod, creating a large effective cross-section and low flow resistance for smooth operation. For lighter furniture, the closing element is positioned farther away, creating a smaller effective cross-section and higher damping force. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between adaptability and damping force.
4Ease of operation
If the damper is fully assembled, then the structure is complete, but the damping properties cannot be adjusted without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is extracted from the internal piston structure and implemented via an external closing element that can be positioned along the piston rod. This allows damping properties to be adjusted from the outside of the fully assembled damper, eliminating the need to disassemble the unit for adjustment while maintaining structural completeness.
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 easy adjustment of the damping properties of the fluid damper in a fully assembled state, ensuring consistent performance across different applications, with the ability to vary flow resistance based on speed, thereby optimizing the motion of adjustable furniture parts.
Implementation Method 1
Because of the resistance that is presented to the fluid, pressure differences between the fluid chambers are created, which bring about a damping force
Implementation Method 2
When the bodies move away from one another, a spring moves the wing on the piston back and opens the through opening
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid damper for bodies that are movable relative to one another, said damper comprising a piston that is movably guided in a cylinder. At least one through opening is provided in the piston and/or between the piston and the cylinder for through-flowing fluid. Adjustment means are provided on the fluid damper for adjusting a limitation least of the maximum possible through-flow cross section for the fluid at least one passage opening. The piston is connected to a piston rod leading out of the cylinder. The adjustment means comprises detent connection which is pushed, in a radially non-twistable manner, onto the end of the piston rod located in the cylinder, and holds the piston in a desired position in the cylinder.