Furniture Ejection Locking Mechanism With Overload Release Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lockable ejection devices for furniture parts, such as drawers, face issues where the normal path of the control pin is disrupted during overload situations, leading to defective triggering processes and incorrect locking positions due to changes in the cardioid-shaped sliding guide track, and flexible materials can wear out from repeated overloads.
Innovation Solution
The design features a blocking element that forms part of the latching depression and is moveable within the locking portion, allowing the control pin to pass through a defined overload path without altering the normal path, using a separate spring for precise force actuation and ensuring damage-free release, with the blocking element only moving in the opening direction to clear the overload path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sliding guide track is modified to provide an overload path (e.g., by rotating regions or forming two parts), then overload protection is achieved, but the normal path of the control pin is disrupted, leading to defective triggering processes and incorrect locking positions
Solution Approach 1:
The overload mechanism is segmented from the main locking mechanism. The blocking element is a separate component that can move independently within the locking portion, allowing overload protection without modifying the fixed sliding guide track and its normal control pin path.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element acts as an intermediary between the control pin and the locking mechanism. During normal operation, it remains stationary and does not interfere with the control pin's path. During overload, it moves to block the overload path, providing protection without permanently altering the normal operational path.
2Reliability
If flexible materials are used to form the cardioid shape, then the control pin can be forced through during overload, but the flexible materials wear away due to repeated overload movements, causing unwanted locking effects
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed as a wear-resistant component that handles the overload movement. By concentrating the wear on a single, replaceable blocking element rather than the entire flexible cardioid structure, the overall system durability is improved while maintaining overload release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from using flexible material deformation to a rigid blocking element with controlled movement. The blocking element's movement is governed by spring force and geometric constraints rather than material flexibility, eliminating wear from repeated flexing while maintaining the overload release function.
3Measurement precision
If the blocking element is subjected to spring force, then precise force actuation is achieved for defined triggering, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element serves multiple functions: it blocks the overload path during normal operation, moves to clear the overload path during overload, and provides the latching depression for the control pin. The spring serves both to return the blocking element to its blocking position and to provide the precise force actuation for defined triggering, reducing the need for additional 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
This configuration maintains the normal path unchanged, prevents wear, and ensures reliable ejection by unlocking the device only under additional user force, providing a precise and damage-free overload safeguard.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking element is provided separately from the passage wall and is moveable in the passage. In the event of an overload, only the blocking element is moveable in the locking portion of the sliding guide track
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable ejection device for a movable furniture part has a control pin movable in a cardioid-shaped slotted guide track. The slotted guide track includes a closing section, in which the control pin moves as the movable furniture part is closed, a locking section having a latching depression in which the control pin is held in the locked position, and an opening section in which the control pin is movable as the mobile furniture part is opened. An overload mechanism is arranged in the locking section. The overload mechanism includes a blocking element to which force is applied and which temporarily blocks an overload path for the control pin. The blocking element at least partially co-forms the latching depression of the locking section and the overload path that can be blocked by the blocking element leads through a channel defined by a channel wall.