Drawer Strut Damping for Assisted Opening and Soft Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drawer systems provide unassisted opening and incomplete assistance during closing, leading to hard slamming, noise, and inefficiency, as they only assist in the latter portion of the drawer's travel and lack a damping mechanism to soften the end-of-travel effect.
Innovation Solution
A system with a strut mechanism that assists both opening and closing motions by applying a controlled force through a spring and damping mechanism, utilizing a rod sub-assembly and piston with a damper to reduce 'bounce-back' and noise, ensuring smooth operation across the drawer's travel range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional self-closing mechanism is used, then the drawer is assisted in the closing direction, but the opening direction remains completely unassisted and the assistance is only provided in the latter portion of the drawer's travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic strut mechanism that can assist motion in both opening and closing directions. The strut is configured to pivot and extend/retract, providing adaptive assistance throughout the entire drawer travel range rather than being static or limited to one direction. This dynamic structure allows the system to respond to motion in either direction and provide appropriate assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut mechanism serves multiple functions: it assists opening motion, assists closing motion, and provides damping at the ends of travel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for opening assistance and closing assistance, making the system more versatile while covering the entire range of drawer motion.
2Device complexity
If a self-closing mechanism provides assistance only in the latter portion of drawer travel, then the mechanism structure is simpler, but hard slamming and bounce-back occur at the end of travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a damping mechanism within the strut that activates before the drawer reaches the end of its travel. This damping mechanism, which may include a damper or shock-absorbing element, progressively reduces the speed of the drawer as it approaches the closed or fully open position, preventing hard slamming and bounce-back by cushioning the end-of-travel impact in advance.
3Ease of operation
If assisted motion is provided throughout the entire drawer travel, then the user experience is improved, but the mechanism requires higher force and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism within the strut that stores and releases elastic potential energy. As the drawer moves, the spring compresses and expands, providing assistance force that varies with the position of the drawer. This parameter change in force output allows the system to provide smooth assisted motion throughout the travel range while managing energy consumption through the elastic energy storage and release cycle of the spring.
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 system provides consistent and smooth assistance throughout the drawer's opening and closing motions, reducing noise and effort, while the damping mechanism prevents hard slamming and enhances user experience.
Implementation Method 1
A system with a strut mechanism that assists both opening and closing motions by applying a controlled force through a spring
Implementation Method 2
a damping mechanism to dampen, or soften, the end of the assisted motion of the drawer in both the opening and closing directions
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assisting the linear movement of a pull-out component relative to a housing includes a first bracket coupled to a slide member of the housing, a second bracket coupled to the pull-out component, and a strut that is pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets at its respective ends. The strut includes an outer hollow member that houses a primary spring, a cylindrical piston that translates through one end of the outer hollow member, and a reverse damping mechanism. A free end of the primary spring is held inside the outer hollow member by a clevis for the first bracket, and its opposite end rests on the piston. The piston's free end includes a clevis for the second bracket. An inner hollow member houses a second spring which regulates movement of a damper shaft such that damping occurs when the shaft is pulled out of the damper.