Drawer Drive Mechanism With Shared Retraction-Ejection Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for furniture, which combine ejection and retraction mechanisms, face challenges in efficient force distribution and compact design, often requiring manual tensioning of springs and counteracting forces, leading to inefficient energy use and complex mechanical arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The drive device integrates a retraction force store attached to both the retraction and ejection carriages, allowing the retraction force store to support ejection, with the ejection force store being less powerful, enabling serial movement and efficient energy use, and featuring a compact housing with linked tracks for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ejection and retraction force accumulators are used, then secure locking and correct energy accumulation are achieved, but the forces counteract each other requiring complex mechanical means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ejection force store (3) and retraction force store (5) into a single integrated drive device (1). The retraction force store is fastened to both the retraction carriage (13) and ejection carriage (10), allowing both functions to be achieved through a unified mechanical structure rather than separate counteracting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction force store (5) serves dual purposes: it acts as a retraction device for pulling the drawer closed and simultaneously functions as a support force store for ejection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical means to handle force counteraction.
2Device complexity
If manual tensioning of ejection spring is required, then simple device structure is maintained, but user effort and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device automatically tensions the ejection force store (3) during the normal retraction operation. When the user closes the drawer, the retraction force store (5) tensions the ejection force store (3) through the interaction between the retraction carriage (13) and ejection carriage (10), eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection force store (3) is tensioned in advance during the retraction phase before ejection is needed. This preliminary action ensures the ejection mechanism is ready for operation without requiring separate manual setup by the user.
3Use of energy by moving object
If retraction force store is dimensioned to support ejection, then spring force efficiency is improved, but retraction carriage and ejection carriage coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the link track (14) with a curved section (15) that creates a mechanical coupling between the retraction carriage (13) and ejection carriage (10). This coupling ensures that when the retraction carriage moves, it automatically tensions the ejection force store through the coordinated movement along the curved path, achieving force equilibrium without complex control mechanisms.
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 design ensures secure and efficient operation by allowing the retraction force store to assist in ejection, reducing manual loading, and providing a compact, efficient mechanism for moving furniture parts, enhancing both opening and closing movements while minimizing mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a retraction force store (5), acted upon by a retraction carriage (13), which can be moved in a retraction direction (SR) into a retraction end position (SE)
Implementation Method 2
a damping device (18) for damping the retraction movement (SR) of the movable furniture part (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 2F~2J
AI summary
Drive device (1) for a movable furniture component (2), particularly for a drawer, comprising an ejection device (4) having an ejection force accumulator (3) for ejecting the movable furniture component (2) into an open position (OS), and a retraction device (6) having a retraction force accumulator (5) for retracting the movable furniture component (2) from an open position (OS) into a closed position (SS), wherein the ejection force accumulator (3) can be charged by the retraction force accumulator (5) during retraction of the movable furniture component (2).