Corner Cupboard Shelf Fitting with Selective End-Position Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner cupboard fitting arrangements require separate damping devices for the retraction and extension movements of shelves, which are not necessary over the entire pivoting path, leading to unnecessary complexity and potential for the shelf to hit hard at end positions.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with a shock absorber that is active only when the shelf approaches its end positions, providing damping for both retraction and extension movements without being active over the entire pivoting path, thus eliminating the need for separate dampers at each end position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping device is active over the entire pivoting path of the shelf, then damping is provided for all positions, but the device complexity and cost increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is designed to be active only over a relatively short damping distance when approaching each end position, rather than over the entire pivoting path. This partial action provides sufficient damping where needed (at end positions) while avoiding unnecessary complexity and cost associated with full-path damping.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping function is segmented into two separate damping zones: one for the inner position approach and one for the outer position approach. A single shock absorber serves both zones by interacting with different stop surfaces at different positions, dividing the damping task into discrete segments rather than requiring continuous damping throughout the entire range of motion.
2Reliability
If separate damping devices are provided for each end position, then damping for both retraction and extension is ensured, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single shock absorber is designed to perform multiple functions: it dampens both the retraction movement into the inner position and the extension movement into the outer position. By positioning the shock absorber to interact with two different stop surfaces on the lever, one component achieves what would traditionally require two separate damping devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping functions for both end positions are merged into a single shock absorber unit. The shock absorber is strategically positioned and oriented so that its damping piston can contact different stop surfaces depending on the direction of movement, combining two damping functions into one integrated component.
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 effectively prevents the shelf from hitting hard at both end positions by using a single shock absorber that is only active over a short distance, reducing the complexity and cost of the fitting arrangement while ensuring smooth movement.
Implementation Method 1
a damping device belonging to the fitting arrangement for damping the movement of the shelf when moving into the inner position and/or moving out into the outer position
Implementation Method 2
a damping device having a shock absorber which is arranged in such a way that it dampens both when approaching the inner position and when approaching the outer position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The arrangement has a shelf board (22) movably guided between an inner position and an outer position by levers movable relative to each other. The shelf board partly projects out over a plane of a door opening in the outer position. An absorption device (83) has a shock absorber (84) that absorbs movement of the shelf board to the inner position and to the outer position and not in an intermediate position lying between the inner and the outer position. A stopping surface is formed by an outer contour of one of the levers.