Furniture Drawer Retaining Assembly for Full-Open Auto-Closing Reset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic opening and closing devices for furniture drawers require a second displacement tract for proper functioning, leading to critical operating conditions where the auto-closing device may not activate, preventing both automatic and manual reclosing if the drawer is opened partially and then closed before the second displacement is completed.
Innovation Solution
An assembly of a retaining device and automatic opening and closing device for furniture drawers, where the retaining device intervenes to block the drawer if it is not fully opened, ensuring proper activation of the auto-closing mechanism by requiring complete opening before allowing closure, thus preventing premature closure and enabling manual reclosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer is opened only partially (first tract) and then closed before completing the second displacement tract, then the user can quickly close the drawer, but the automatic closing device fails to activate and the drawer cannot be reclosed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device performs a preliminary blocking action before the drawer can be closed. The cursor positions the blocking element in advance along the guide tract, and if the drawer is not fully opened, the blocking element prevents closure by engaging with the drawer front, ensuring the automatic closing device is properly reset before allowing the drawer to close
Solution Approach 2:
The cursor acts as an intermediary element between the drawer and the blocking element. It translates the drawer's partial opening motion into positioning the blocking element at a specific location along the guide tract, where it can then engage with the drawer front to prevent improper closure
2Device complexity
If the automatic opening and closing device is used without a retaining device, then the device structure is simpler, but critical operating conditions occur where the auto-closing device does not activate
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing device is segmented into functional modules: the automatic closing device, the retaining device with cursor, the blocking element, and the guide tract. This segmentation allows the retaining device to independently monitor and control the drawer opening trajectory without interfering with the core automatic closing function, maintaining reliability while adding only necessary components
Solution Approach 2:
The cursor serves multiple functions: it guides the blocking element along the guide tract, positions the blocking element based on drawer opening distance, and enables the blocking element to engage with the drawer front. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
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
Ensures the automatic opening and closing device activates correctly by requiring complete opening of the drawer, preventing partial opening issues and ensuring the drawer remains closed when intended, allowing for proper manual operation.
Implementation Method 1
a stem 5 mobile in the displacement direction of the displaceable guide part 3 by action of and in contrast to an elastic element 6 consituted for example by a helix spring
Implementation Method 2
a first cursor 8 that is slidable in contrast to and by action of first elastic elements 9 along a guide 10 formed on a flat wall 17 of the base body of the opening and closing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The assembly of an automatic opening and closing device and a retaining device for a displaceable part of an article of furniture, the automatic opening and closing device comprising: - a first cursor (8) mobile such as to be selectively engageable with drawing pins (39, 40, 43) operatively connected to the displaceable part of the article of furniture; and - first elastic elements (9), operatively connected to said first cursor (8), said first elastic elements (9) soliciting the first cursor (8) in a closing direction of the displaceable part of the article of furniture, said retaining device comprising: - a second cursor (21), mobile along a first sliding guide (20) on a base body (19) such as to be selectively engageable with said drawing pins (39, 40, 43); - a hooking element (23) connected movably to the second cursor (21) and selectively slidable along a second sliding guide (22) or along a third sliding guide (24) provided in said base body (19), and - blocking means (25) in said base body (19), associated to said third sliding guide (24) for releasably blocking said hooking element (23).