Mechanically Damped Furniture Catch With Self-Recharging Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-latch systems for furniture, which rely on energy storage charged when the furniture part is closed, are not easily rechargeable and lack efficient mechanisms for automatic retraction and complete closure.
Innovation Solution
An ejection device is attached to the movable furniture part, allowing for energy storage recharge during its movement path, featuring a pivoting arm, gear mechanism, control lever, and latching device to ensure efficient charging and automatic retraction into a fully closed state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the ejection device is attached to the furniture body (prior art), then the structure is simple, but the energy store cannot be recharged during the movement path
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching the ejection device to the stationary furniture body (prior art), the invention inverts the attachment by mounting it on the movable furniture part itself. This allows the energy store to be recharged during the complete movement path of the furniture part, transforming the limitation into an advantage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the ejection device is attached to the movable furniture part, then the energy store can be recharged during the complete movement path, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the ejection function when needed, and simultaneously serves as an energy recharging mechanism during the furniture part's movement. The control lever and blocking element combination enables automatic charging during both opening and closing movements, making the device multi-functional and justifying the increased complexity.
3Extent of automation
If a control lever and blocking element are used for charging, then the energy store can be charged during closing movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to recharge itself automatically during the furniture part's closing movement. The control lever and blocking element work together to engage the energy store charging mechanism without external intervention, allowing the device to service itself and eliminating the need for manual recharging operations.
4Loss of time
If the energy store is charged during closing movement, then the complete movement path is utilized for recharging, but the control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy store charging process occurs continuously during the entire closing movement of the furniture part. The control lever and blocking element are positioned and dimensioned to ensure that the charging action is maintained throughout the complete movement path, maximizing the utilization of available time and motion for energy recharging.
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
Enables easy operation, complete movement path utilization for recharging, and automatic self-closing, ensuring the furniture part is efficiently opened and closed with energy conservation and precise control.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring (23) which is folded in on itself in a folded manner and which drives the toothed belt (24)
Implementation Method 2
a gear arrangement (18), which acts on a swivel arm (19)
Implementation Method 3
a toothed belt (24) which is wrapped around a pinion (25) of the gear arrangement (18)
Implementation Method 4
the swivel arm (19) pushes the drawer (3) in the opening direction (21)
Implementation Method 5
The release rod, which is in contact with the stop section, pushes the control lever out of its parking position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device (1) having an ejection means (2) is proposed, the ejection means, when fitted on an item of furniture, exerting a dynamic effect on a furniture part (3), which is guided movably on the item of furniture, in the opening direction of said furniture part, and having a force accumulator for moving the movable furniture part (3) and a charging mechanism for the force accumulator. According to the invention, the ejection means (2) with a force accumulator (23) is designed for attaching to the movably guided furniture part (3). Furthermore, an item of furniture with a device (1) having an ejection means (2) is proposed.