Synchronized Drawer Ejection Locking for Compact Furniture Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for movable furniture parts require a large installation space and suffer from play issues due to the mounting of control levers, leading to potential misalignment and undesired inclined positions of furniture parts during operation, while also lacking direct synchronization capabilities between ejection devices.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a locking pin engaging in a heart-shaped locking guideway, allowing for synchronization between ejection devices, and incorporating an ejection force accumulator and synchronization mechanism to ensure reliable unlocking and prevent inclined positions, while being compact and space-efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control lever with pivoting movement is used for locking, then the locking function is achieved, but a relatively large installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a control lever that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the locking element rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ejection device. This inversion of the rotation axis orientation dramatically reduces the installation space required while maintaining the locking function through engagement with the heart-shaped link track.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the rotation axis from perpendicular to parallel with the longitudinal axis. This parameter change transforms the movement characteristics of the locking element, enabling compact integration into the ejection device without compromising locking reliability.
2Reliability
If a control lever is mounted on the ejection carriage, then the locking mechanism functions, but play occurs leading to negative effects on the gap between drawer front and furniture body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic mounting connection between the control lever and ejection carriage. By eliminating this separate mounting interface and integrating the locking element's rotation directly into the ejection carriage structure, the source of play is removed, thereby improving gap precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element's rotation axis is integrated directly into the ejection carriage, merging what were previously separate components (control lever mounting and ejection carriage). This integration eliminates the play that occurred at the mounting interface while maintaining the locking mechanism's functionality.
3Ease of operation
If separate ejection devices are used on both sides, then the movable furniture part can be ejected, but direct synchronization between the two ejection devices is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization device acts as an intermediary between the two ejection devices. It transmits the rotational movement of one locking element to the other, ensuring coordinated operation. This mediator enables direct synchronization while preserving the independent ejection function of each side.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element with rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis serves multiple functions: it provides the locking mechanism for the ejection device and simultaneously acts as a synchronization interface. This multi-functionality enables both ejection operation and synchronization capability through the same 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 enables reliable synchronization and unlocking of movable furniture parts during ejection, preventing undesired inclined positions and reducing the overall size of the drive device, thus improving operational efficiency and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection force accumulator—preferably held on an ejection housing—and an ejection carriage to which force is applied by the ejection force accumulator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive device (1') for a movable furniture part (2), in particular for a drawer, comprising a lockable ejection device (3) for ejecting the movable furniture part (2) out of a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS). The ejection device (3) has a locking device (56) with a locking position (VS), in which the ejection device (3) is locked, and an unlocking position (ES), in which the ejection device (3) is unlocked, and the locking device (56) can be moved out of the locking position (VS) into the unlocking position (ES) and back by means of at least one rotational movement of a first component (10, 36) of the locking device (56) relative to a second component (11, 12, 41) of the locking device (56) about a rotational axis (X) oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the ejection device (3). An additional ejection device (3'), which has at least the features of the ejection device (3) in the preamble, and a synchronizing device (76) for synchronizing the locking devices (56) of the two ejection devices (3, 3') are provided.