Adjustable Furniture Fitting Stop Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture fittings with limiting devices for preventing collisions with adjacent cupboards or ceilings require different-sized clamps for varying opening angles and risk detachment, leading to inconsistent pivot angle limitation.

Innovation Solution

A furniture fitting with an adjustable actuating element that allows for continuous or fixed adjustment of the opening angle, featuring a movably mounted stop that can be manually or tool-basedly operated to limit the pivoting path, ensuring secure and customizable angle limitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clamps are used to limit the opening angle of the furniture fitting, then the maximum pivoting path can be restricted to prevent collisions, but different-sized clamps are required for different opening angles and the clamps may come loose from the hinge axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivot angle limitationVSAvoidclamp size variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stop position adjustable rather than fixed. The actuating element allows the stop to be moved along the hinge axis to different positions, enabling the same limiting device to accommodate various opening angles dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for multiple clamp sizes while maintaining reliable angle limitation through a single adaptable component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If clamps are used to limit the opening angle, then the maximum pivoting path can be restricted, but the clamps risk coming loose and getting lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivot angle limitationVSAvoidclamp retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the stop function with the limiting device by integrating the stop into the structure of the limiting device itself. The stop becomes an inherent part of the mechanism rather than a separate removable clamp, ensuring it cannot detach or be lost while still allowing reliable pivot angle limitation through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed stop position is used in the limiting device, then the structure is simple, but the opening angle cannot be adjusted to different values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening angle adjustmentVSAvoidlimiting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static stop position into a dynamic, adjustable one. The actuating element enables the stop to be repositioned along the hinge axis, allowing the opening angle to be adapted to different values. This added functionality is achieved through a relatively simple actuating mechanism that does not significantly complicate the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3889381B1Furniture
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3889381B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3889381B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3889381B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Furniture fitting (4) for moving a furniture part (3) that is movably mounted relative to a furniture body (2), comprising: - a first fitting part (5) for attachment to a furniture body (2), - a second fitting part (6) for attachment to a movable furniture part (3), wherein the second fitting part (6) is pivotably connected to the first fitting part (5), - a limiting device (16) for limiting an opening angle of a relative pivoting movement of the first and second fitting parts (5, 6), wherein the limiting device (16) has at least one movably mounted actuating element (16a), wherein the opening angle is adjustable by manual or tool-assisted actuation of the actuating element (16a).