Vertical-Slide Clothes Rail Damping for Smooth Run-End Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical-slide clothes-hanging devices experience irregular functioning and abrupt movements at run-end positions, especially when loaded, leading to potential damage and noise due to inadequate kinematic mechanism sizing under maximum load conditions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a horizontal rod coupled with a lever and a kinematic manoeuvring mechanism, featuring run-end dampers at terminal positions to prevent collisions and ensure smooth operation across varying load conditions, with the dampers comprising cylinders and pistons to absorb impact and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the kinematic mechanisms are sized under maximum load conditions, then the device can handle fully loaded conditions, but the functioning becomes irregular and abrupt in intermediate or overloaded conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing run-end dampers that are pre-positioned at the terminal positions of the lever's movement path. These dampers provide prior cushioning against the lever before impact occurs, ensuring that regardless of whether the device is fully loaded, intermediate loaded, or overloaded, the lever is gently decelerated and stopped without abrupt movements or collisions. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring functioning regularity across all load conditions while maintaining the load-bearing capacity designed for maximum load.
2Strength
If the kinematic mechanisms are sized for maximum load, then the device can support full load, but the lever reaches run-end positions abruptly causing bumps and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The run-end dampers are strategically positioned to engage with the lever before it reaches the extreme run-end positions. This beforehand cushioning mechanism gradually decelerates the lever, preventing abrupt stops and impacts. The dampers absorb kinetic energy and reduce impact forces, thereby eliminating bumps and noise at run-ends while preserving the device's ability to support maximum load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The run-end dampers act as intermediary elements between the lever and the shell structure. Instead of the lever directly impacting the shell at run-end positions, the dampers serve as a mediating component that softens the interaction, distributing and dissipating impact forces. This intermediary mechanism prevents harmful impacts and noise while maintaining the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the overall system.
3Productivity
If the lever moves quickly to run-end positions, then the operation is efficient, but it causes collisions and potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The run-end dampers provide beforehand cushioning that activates as the lever approaches its terminal positions. This cushioning mechanism gradually reduces the lever's velocity before it reaches the run-end positions, preventing collisions while maintaining efficient operation throughout most of the movement range. The dampers ensure that the lever is decelerated in a controlled manner, preserving both productivity and reliability.
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 solution provides a vertically sliding clothes-hanging device with fluid and silent operation, preventing damage and noise at run-end positions, ensuring optimal performance regardless of load conditions, while being economical, easy to install, and sturdy.
Implementation Method 1
corresponding run-end dampers suitable for dampening a final run portion of the lever, are provided in said two end-positions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vertical-slide clothes-hanging device comprising a horizontal rod for receiving hanging clothes coupled with at least one activation element. The activation element comprises a lever with a first free end coupled with the horizontal rod and a maneuvering kinematic mechanism coupled with a second end of the lever. The maneuvering kinematic mechanism comprises an actuator and articulation element acted on by the second end of the lever. The maneuvering kinematic mechanism moves the lever between two terminal run-end positions, a first raised position substantially vertical, or almost vertical, and a second lowered position substantially horizontal. Run-end dampers are provided in the two terminal positions, suitable for damping a terminal run section of the lever. When the lever is close to the lowered position, a first damper is coupled with the lever to exert a first braking action.