Furniture Drive Mechanism With Series Damping for Quiet Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive mechanisms for furniture portions, such as drawers or doors, require excessive user energy for loading the force storage means, leading to high-speed movement and potential self-release of the locking element, causing material stress and noise, and fail to reliably arrest the locking element without material stress during closure.

Innovation Solution

The damping device, force storage means, and retraction device are connected in series, where the damping device brakes the furniture portion before loading the force storage means, ensuring energy equivalence for locking without unnecessary material wear or noise, and the active forces are configured to achieve frictionless movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the force storage means is loaded by exerting excessive force on the movable furniture portion, then the locking element is moved into its locking position, but the high speed and momentum cause the locking to be released again and the furniture portion strikes against the furniture item

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidimpact and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retraction device is activated before the furniture portion reaches the closed position to gradually slow down and arrest the furniture portion. This preliminary action prevents excessive speed and momentum buildup that would otherwise cause the locking element to self-release and creates harmful impacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static locking mechanism to a dynamic control system where the retraction device actively manages the speed and position of the furniture portion during closure, adjusting forces in real-time to maintain reliable locking without impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a damped retraction device is used to guide the movable furniture portion into the closed position, then impact is prevented, but the locking element cannot be reliably arrested without stressing the material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact preventionVSAvoidmaterial stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The closure process is segmented into distinct phases: initial damping phase to control speed, followed by a controlled arrest phase where the retraction device applies precise forces to lock the locking element without excessive material stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retraction device changes the force parameters during closure, applying damping forces initially and then transitioning to precise arresting forces that reliably lock the element without overstressing the material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the damping device, force storage means, and retraction device are connected in series with proper configuration, then the furniture portion is braked before loading the force storage means, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and material wearVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device, force storage means, and retraction device are merged into a single series-connected assembly that works cooperatively. This integration reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed while achieving multiple functions: braking, loading, and controlled closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration ensures the locking element is moved into the latching position with the required energy, reducing material stress and noise, and allows for reliable closure without excessive force or momentum, effectively addressing the issues of excessive energy input and material wear.

Implementation Method 1

the movable furniture portion is braked by means of the damping device before the force storage means which acts on the drive device is loaded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the force storage means which is usually in the form of a spring is loaded over a part of the closing travel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the movable furniture portion can be brought into the closed end position by means of the retraction device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS7960924B2Drive mechanism for a furniture part which is mounted movably in or on an item of furniture

Publication Date: 2011.06.14 JULIUS BLUM GMBH

AI summary

A drive mechanism for a furniture portion, in particular a drawer or a door which is mounted movably in or to a furniture item, includes a drive device which is guided movably with respect to a base and which is acted upon by a force storage means, a damping device, and a retraction device. The drive device has an ejection element for moving the furniture portion from a closed end position into an open position, and a locking element which is guided by a preferably heart-shaped guide track which is formed on the base. The damping device, the force storage means which acts on the drive device, and the refraction device are connected in series.