Fitting for the mobile positioning of a shelf board in a corner cupboard by means of a rolling element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner cabinet fittings face limitations in extending a shelf far in front of the door opening while maintaining structural stability and avoiding collisions with the cabinet, often resulting in a small accessible area compared to the cabinet's base area due to complex and unstable mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A corner cabinet fitting with a bearing base, a support arm that pivots about a first vertical axis, and a shelf support that pivots about a second vertical axis, coupled by a gear mechanism with rolling elements that allow for efficient translation and reversal of movement, reducing stress on bearings and enabling the shelf to be extended far in front of the door opening without size restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a complex mechanism with links and cam tracks is used to couple the pivoting movements, then the shelf can be extended further, but the device complexity increases and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextension distance of shelfVSAvoidcomplexity of coupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into two independent roller elements instead of a complex linked system. Each roller element is mounted on a separate pivot axis, allowing the pivoting movements to be coupled through their interaction rather than through multiple connecting links and cam tracks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two roller elements act as intermediaries between the first and second pivoting movements. They transfer and couple the movements through their rolling contact, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while maintaining stable and controlled motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of moving object

If the shelf is extended far in front of the door opening, then the accessible area increases, but the risk of collision with the cabinet body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessible shelf areaVSAvoidcollision risk with cabinet
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism provides continuous geometric feedback between the two pivoting movements. As the support arm pivots about the first vertical axis, the roller elements automatically adjust the shelf support's pivoting about the second vertical axis to maintain optimal clearance from the cabinet body, preventing collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic pivoting movements rather than fixed positioning. The shelf support can pivot about a second vertical axis that is movable relative to the support arm, allowing real-time adjustment of the shelf position to maximize extension while avoiding cabinet obstructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed pivot axis is used for the shelf support, then the structure is simpler, but the accessible area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of pivot mechanismVSAvoidaccessible shelf area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second vertical pivot axis is made movable relative to the support arm instead of being fixed. This allows the shelf support to adjust its pivoting center dynamically during extension, maximizing the accessible area while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple through the use of roller elements.

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 solution allows for a large shelf to be extended far in front of the door opening while maintaining structural stability and avoiding collisions, achieving a larger accessible area compared to the cabinet's base area, with reduced stress on the gear elements and improved movement guidance.

Implementation Method 1

the gear mechanism comprises two roller elements that roll against each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3547876B1Fitting for the mobile positioning of a shelf board in a corner cupboard by means of a rolling element
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 VAUTH SAGEL HLDG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3547876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3547876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3547876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A corner cabinet fitting (1) for the movable mounting of a shelf (34) in a corner cabinet (37) has a bearing pedestal (7), a supporting arm (8) which is mounted on the bearing pedestal (7) so as to be pivotable in a first pivoting movement about a first vertical pivot axis (9), a shelf carrier (10) which is mounted on the supporting arm (8) so as to be pivotable in a second pivoting movement about a second vertical pivot axis (11), and a mechanism which couples the second pivoting movement to the first pivoting movement. The mechanism comprises two rolling elements (22, 24) which roll on one another directly or via a belt or a chain and of which one rolling element (24) is coupled to the bearing pedestal (7) and the other rolling element (22) is coupled to the shelf carrier.