Furniture Closing Device Engaging Mechanism for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closing devices for furniture, such as drawers, fail to prevent improper opening and suffer from frequent disengagement and wear of components when subjected to improper forces, leading to loss of positioning functionality.

Innovation Solution

An engaging mechanism featuring a contact surface, a positioning hook with a resilient portion and stop, and a pin that disengages from the contact surface upon deformation, preventing damage and maintaining positioning integrity even under improper forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hook-shaped end is used to engage with a notch for positioning, then the closing device can maintain positioning functionality, but the notch and holding member wear out after several times of improper operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionalityVSAvoidservice life of notch and holding member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of improper force into a beneficial disengagement mechanism. When improper force is applied, the resilient portion deforms to disengage the pin from the contact surface, preventing damage to the notch and holding member. This transforms the harmful force into a protective action that maintains positioning functionality while preventing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient portion acts as a cushioning element that absorbs improper forces before they can damage the notch and holding member. By deforming under improper force, the resilient portion prevents direct contact and wear between the pin and the notch, extending the service life of the positioning components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Manufacturing precision

If the holding member is made rigid to maintain positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the member cannot deform to disengage under improper force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidability to deform under force

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holding member is segmented into two functional parts: the resilient portion that deforms under improper force, and the stop that maintains positioning accuracy. This segmentation allows the member to simultaneously achieve both adaptability and precision by assigning different functions to different segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the holding member have different mechanical properties. The resilient portion is designed to be flexible and deformable, while the stop is designed to be rigid and maintain positioning. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the single component to fulfill multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the pin is fixed to maintain engagement, then positioning stability is improved, but the pin cannot disengage to prevent damage under improper force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement stabilityVSAvoiddamage from improper force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement between the pin and contact surface is made dynamic rather than fixed. The resilient portion allows the pin to dynamically disengage from the contact surface when improper force is applied, while maintaining stable engagement during normal operation. This dynamic characteristic protects against damage while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The mechanism effectively prevents damage to the notch and holding member, ensuring reliable operation and maintaining the positioning feature by disengaging the pin from the contact surface without damaging the stop, thus preventing wear and ensuring proper closure and opening functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the stop is disengaged from the contact surface by the deformation of the resilient portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8857868B2Engaging mechanism of closing device

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD

AI summary

An engaging mechanism of a closing device includes an engaging block, a positioning hook and a pin. The engaging block has a contact surface and a guide surface extending from the contact surface. The positioning hook is connected to the engaging block and has a resilient portion and a stop which extends from the resilient portion. The stop is located adjacent to the contact surface and located at a distance from the guide surface. The pin is located corresponding to the engaging block and slidably contacts the contact surface and the stop of the positioning hook. The pin moves over the stop and is disengaged from the contact surface by contacting against the stop and the deformation of the resilient portion.