Drawer Ejection Coupling With Retraction-Assisted Closed Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opening devices for movable furniture parts require precise installation to achieve an attractive panel image and are not easy to assemble or handle comfortably.

Innovation Solution

The opening device couples ejection and latching mechanisms to transmit both tensile and compressive forces, using a magnet or displaceable bolt for flexible engagement, and incorporates a retraction device with a pivotable lever to simplify handling and ensure stable locking without precise user alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the opening device is installed with precise positioning to predetermine the closed position of movable furniture parts, then the panel image becomes attractive, but the installation complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel imageVSAvoidinstallation precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection stop is pre-coupled to the ejection activator to transmit tensile and compressive forces, establishing a predetermined closed position that ensures attractive panel image while simplifying installation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A magnet is arranged on the ejection stop to couple with a metallically fixed activator, serving as an intermediary that transmits forces and enables simple decoupling of stops from the driver without requiring precise installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the ejection stop is coupled to the ejection activator to transmit both tensile and compressive forces, then the functional reliability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A magnet is used to replace complex mechanical coupling mechanisms, enabling the ejection stop to transmit both tensile and compressive forces to the ejection activator through magnetic attraction, thereby increasing functional reliability while simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions between magnetic attraction (tensile force transmission) and mechanical contact (compressive force transmission), changing the physical parameter of force transmission mode to achieve reliable bidirectional force transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the user must move the movable furniture part exactly into the closed position, then the locking precision is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosed position precisionVSAvoiduser alignment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retraction device with resilient stop automatically guides the movable furniture part into the correct closed position during the closing process, eliminating the need for the user to manually align the part precisely while maintaining locking precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the energy store is tensioned at a distance from the closed position, then the ease of operation increases, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling comfortVSAvoidtensioning path distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retraction device activates during the closing process at the end of the tensioning path, continuously guiding the carriage to the closed position and eliminating idle time during the transition from tensioning to locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 allows for easy assembly and comfortable handling of movable furniture parts, ensuring reliable locking and smooth operation by decoupling stops and using a retraction device to automatically achieve the closed position, reducing installation complexity and noise.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet is arranged on the ejection stop, which can be coupled to a metallically fixed activator. As a result, the ejection stop can transmit not only compressive but also tensile forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2654506B1Opening and closing device for movable furniture parts and ejection device

Publication Date: 2018.03.07 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to an opening device for movable furniture parts, in particular drawers, having an ejection device (6, 6') comprising a pusher (26, 26') pretensioned by an energy store (29, 29'), said pusher being able to be locked in an end position of a guide track (22, 22'), wherein a displaceable carriage (15, 15') can be coupled to the pusher (26, 26') by means of at least one stop (17, 18; 17', 18') and an ejector stop (10, 10') thereof contacts an ejection activator (7, 7') in a closed position, wherein the ejection stop (10, 10') is coupled to the ejection activator (7, 7') such that both tensile forces and compressive forces can be transferred.