Adjustable Drawer Ejection Stop for Precise Panel Gap Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opening and closing devices for movable furniture parts require precise installation to achieve an attractive panel image, making them difficult to assemble and adjust, especially when replacing individual furniture parts.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable ejection device with a steplessly adjustable ejection stop and a magnet that can transmit both compressive and tensile forces, allowing for flexible panel gap adjustment and simplified assembly, along with a retraction device that automatically covers the distance to the closed position, reducing the need for precise locking and minimizing impact noises.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If precise installation is used to achieve an attractive panel image, then the panel gap is controlled, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel gap controlVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection stop is made adjustable along the guideway, transforming a fixed-position component into a dynamic one that can be positioned at different locations. This allows the panel gap to be adjusted after assembly without requiring precise installation, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable ejection stop enables the system to self-adjust the panel gap through simple repositioning of the stop along the guideway, eliminating the need for complex precision alignment procedures during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment means are added to enable panel gap adjustment, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel gap adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection stop serves multiple functions: it limits the ejection stroke, transmits forces between the driver and carriage, and provides adjustable positioning to control the panel gap. By combining these functions into a single component, the system gains adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection stop acts as an intermediary element between the driver and the carriage, providing a simple mechanical interface that enables both force transmission and position adjustment. This intermediary component achieves adaptability through its adjustable positioning along the guideway rather than through complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the ejection stop is made steplessly adjustable, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stepless adjustability is achieved by allowing the ejection stop to be freely positioned along the guideway without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The simple guideway structure replaces what would otherwise be a complex stepless adjustment mechanism, achieving high adjustment precision while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the magnet is used to transmit tensile forces, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling comfortVSAvoidforce transmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet replaces a complex mechanical force transmission mechanism with a simple magnetic field-based system. The magnet mounted on the ejection stop interacts with the stationary metallic activator to transmit both compressive and tensile forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and improving ease of operation while adding minimal device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simplifies assembly and adjustment of the opening and closing mechanism, ensuring comfortable handling and optimal adaptation to different uses by allowing for precise panel gap adjustment and reduced ejection forces, enhancing the stability and smooth operation of movable furniture parts.

Implementation Method 1

the ejection device has at least one ejection stop with a magnet that can be coupled to a stationary metallic activator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a driver which is prestressed by an energy storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2654505B1Opening and closing device for movable furniture parts and ejection device
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2654505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2654505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an opening and closing device for movable furniture parts, in particular drawers (3), comprising an inward moving device (40) and an ejection device (6), wherein the ejection device (6) comprises a pusher (26) pretensioned by an energy store (29) that can be locked in an end position of a guide track (22) and can be coupled to a carriage (15). The ejection device (6) further comprises at least one ejection stop (10) adjustable in the closing direction. A cover gap can thereby be easily adjusted.