Corner Cupboard Fitting With Combined Support and Control Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner cupboard fittings require multiple components and complex installations, lacking simplicity and efficiency in panel movement between inner and outer positions.
Innovation Solution
A fitting with a combined control/support lever that serves both as a control lever for panel movement and a support arm, utilizing a dual-function design with a higher bending stiffness at a right angle, reducing the number of components and eliminating functional separation between support and control functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate support arm and control levers are used, then the panel support and control functions are clearly separated, but the number of components increases and installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support arm and control lever into a single integrated component called a 'combined control/support lever'. This lever performs both the support function (carrying the panel weight) and the control function (guiding panel movement between inner and outer positions), thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The combined control/support lever is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides structural support for the panel and controls its movement trajectory. This universal component replaces what were previously separate dedicated support and control elements, simplifying the overall fitting structure
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for panel support and control, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the control lever and support arm into a single combined component, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps required during installation. Instead of installing separate support arms and control levers independently, the integrated design allows for a single installation operation, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining both control and support functions
3Device complexity
If a combined control/support lever is used, then the number of components is reduced and installation is simplified, but the lever must have higher bending stiffness to perform both functions
Solution Approach 1:
The combined control/support lever is designed with non-uniform cross-section or material distribution to provide locally optimized properties. The lever has enhanced bending stiffness in specific regions where it bears panel weight, while maintaining adequate flexibility in other areas for proper movement control, thus achieving both structural strength and functional flexibility in a single component
Data Source
AI summary
On a fitting for a corner cupboard (11), in particular a kitchen corner cupboard, comprising a cupboard body (12) and an internal space (21) accessible via a corner cupboard door (19), wherein at least one panel (22) is movably guided by means of the fitting (12) between an inner position and an outer position, in which the panel (22) at least partially extends beyond a level (23) of a door opening, said fitting (12) including at least one support arm for supporting the panel, which support arm can be mounted on the one hand so as to be pivotable about a stationary swivel pin (25) and can be mounted on the other hand on the associated panel (22) in a manner so as to be pivotable about a panel-fixed bearing axle (26), and control means for controlling the panel movement in a swivel plane between the inner and the outer positions, said control means having two control levers that can respectively be indisplaceably supported on the one hand so as to be rotatable about a stationary swivel pin (25, 29) and on the other hand so as to be rotatable relative to a panel-fixed bearing axle (26, 30), with said two stationary swivel pins (25, 29) being arranged next to each other or coinciding, and with said two control levers being connected to each other via a connecting link (36) receiving the panel-fixed bearing axles (26, 30) of the control levers, which connecting link (22) in its turn can be fixed to the panel (22), one of the two control levers at the same time forms the support arm and is formed in the shape of a combined control/support lever (27) which has a higher bending stiffness at a right angle to the swivel plane compared to the other control lever (28).