Damper assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing damper assemblies for furniture require pre-drilling and may not securely attach to various cabinet structures, leading to inconsistent performance and installation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A damper assembly with a housing and catch system that uses self-tapping screws for attachment without pre-drilling, featuring a tension spring and linear piston and cylinder damper to control drawer movement, and includes locating mechanisms for precise positioning to ensure reliable engagement and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If self-tapping screws are used for attachment without pre-drilling, then ease of installation is improved, but attachment security and reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate components: the housing with integrated self-tapping screw holes and the catch with corresponding mounting features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing provides structural support and attachment points, while the catch provides the engagement mechanism, achieving both ease of installation and reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The self-tapping screw mounting holes are integrated directly into the housing structure, combining the attachment function with the housing itself. This merging eliminates the need for separate pre-drilling operations while maintaining secure attachment capability through the housing's rigid construction and optimized hole placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If locating mechanisms are added for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locating pins serve multiple functions: they position the catch relative to the housing during assembly, guide the catch during operation, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality achieves precise positioning without adding dedicated locating mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locating pins are integrated within the housing structure, with the catch nesting into the housing and being positioned by the pins. This nested arrangement achieves precise positioning through the inherent geometry of the nested components rather than through separate, additional locating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the housing and catch are made detachable for adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of engagement worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidengagement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and catch are pre-positioned during manufacturing with precise locating features that ensure correct relative positioning. This preliminary action during assembly allows the detachable design to maintain reliability, as the components are guaranteed to be correctly positioned when attached, eliminating engagement issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locating pins act as intermediaries between the housing and catch, mediating their relative positioning. These pins ensure that even when the components are detachable and adjustable, they always engage in the correct relative position, maintaining engagement reliability while allowing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 secure, adjustable, and reliable attachment to various cabinet types without pre-drilling, ensuring consistent damped force application and improved stability during drawer movement.

Implementation Method 1

A tension spring (10) provides the force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A tension spring (10) provides the force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

a linear piston and cylinder damper (21) provides the damping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 4

a linear piston and cylinder damper (21) provides the damping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11039688B2Damper assemblies

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 TITUS INTERNATIONAL PLC

AI summary

A device controls closing movement of a drawer in a drawer cabinet. The device includes an actuator driven by a spring for imparting a biassing force to the drawer as it closes. The actuator is mounted on a housing, which is itself mounted on the cabinet, and is movable back and forth in the direction of movement of the drawer. A damper is mounted on the housing and is operable on the actuator to impart a damping force on it in a sense to resist the closing movement of the drawer. The actuator is triggered by a catch mounted on the drawer. The housing and catch are mountable without need of pre-drilling and include locating members for determining their relative positions on the cabinet and drawer respectively.