Drawer Adjustment Mechanism With Linear Dual-Control Disks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer adjustment devices are complex to assemble and provide uneven, non-linear adjustments due to their eccentric mechanisms, limiting the maximum adjustment path and effective lever arm.

Innovation Solution

A drawer adjustment device featuring two control disks that act on opposite contact surfaces within a recess, ensuring a proportional displacement path and constant effective lever arm, allowing for a large angular range and easy assembly with a simple structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an eccentric mechanism is used for adjustment, then the adjustment device can change the position of the front panel, but the adjustment path changes greatly and non-linearly relative to the angle of rotation, leading to uneven adjustment with even rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment linearityVSAvoidadjustment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is divided into two independent control disks, each responsible for one direction of adjustment. This segmentation allows each disk to provide linear control in its respective direction, eliminating the non-linear behavior of a single eccentric mechanism while maintaining the ability to adjust in multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If an eccentric mechanism is used, then adjustment can be achieved, but the effective lever arm changes and the maximum adjustment path is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment pathVSAvoidstructure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-axis eccentric mechanism to a two-dimensional control system with two control disks acting on opposite sides of the recess. This dimensional expansion allows for a larger maximum adjustment path in both directions while maintaining a relatively simple structure through the use of identical, symmetrical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a base plate with eccentric disc is fixed to side plate and angle piece is fixed to front panel, then position adjustment can be achieved, but the adjusting device is comparatively complex to assemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two control disks are integrated into a single rotating element that acts on a common recess in the displaceably mounted part. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts that need to be assembled and fixed, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the dual-directional adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise, stable, and linear adjustment of the drawer's position with a large adjustment path, maintaining consistent forces and easy assembly, overcoming the limitations of eccentric mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

the control discs are designed in such a way that the angle of rotation and the sliding path are essentially proportional over the entire adjustment path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProportional displacement geometry: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

The control discs can each have an outer contact surface in the form of an involute, which extends around a base circle. As a result, the effective lever arm is kept constant so that the forces remain approximately the same when adjusting.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInvolute geometry: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

the rotary element is then rotatably mounted on the housing via at least one pin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPin rotation: Pin

Implementation Method 4

This enables stable, linear guidance in the direction of adjustment, with support being provided in different directions perpendicular to the direction of adjustment.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding guidance: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2265784B1Adjusting device for furniture
Publication Date: 2015.05.13 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2265784B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2265784B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2265784B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An adjusting device for furniture comprises a housing (6) and a part (5) which is movably mounted thereon, wherein a cutout (9) and a rotary element (7) are provided, and the rotary element (7), as it rotates, moves the surrounding housing (6) relative to the part (5). Here, the rotary element (7) has two control disks (15, 16) which each act on a contact surface (20, 21) on the cutout (9), such that a precise adjustment is obtained.