Fitting for a corner cupboard and corner cupboard with fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner cupboard fittings do not effectively superimpose pivoting and extension movements to fully extract trays from the interior, limiting the area of the tray that can be moved through the door opening.

Innovation Solution

A fitting with a support arm that pivots about a first vertical axis and extends linearly, coupled by a link arm that pivots about second and third vertical axes, allowing continuous superimposition of pivoting and pull-out movements to maximize the tray's surface area extraction without colliding with the cupboard body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional pivoting device or revolving shelf is used in a corner cupboard, then the shelf can be moved to some extent through the door opening, but the tray cannot be fully extracted without colliding with the cupboard body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetray accessibilityVSAvoidtray extraction distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting employs a dynamic movement sequence where the support arm pivots about a first vertical axis while simultaneously extending linearly along a horizontal axis. This dynamic combination of rotational and translational movements allows the tray to follow a complex trajectory that maximizes extraction distance while avoiding collision with the cupboard body throughout the movement sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from simple single-axis pivoting to a two-dimensional movement space by combining vertical axis rotation with horizontal axis extension. This dimensional expansion enables the tray to move not only radially outward but also linearly forward, significantly increasing the extractable area through the door opening.

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

2Area of moving object

If the tray is designed to extend far outside the cupboard interior, then more surface area is accessible through the door opening, but the tray may collide with the cupboard body during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetray surface areaVSAvoidcollision with cupboard body
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling between pivoting and extension movements is dynamically coordinated so that the tray extends linearly at specific phases of the pivoting sequence. This dynamic timing ensures that the tray follows an optimized path that maximizes external surface area exposure while maintaining safe clearance from the cupboard body throughout the entire movement sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm begins its pivoting movement before the tray reaches its maximum extension position. This preliminary action sequence allows the tray to be gradually extracted along a controlled trajectory, preventing sudden movements that would cause collision with the cupboard body while still achieving maximum surface area accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a complex coupling mechanism with multiple guide members and cam guides is used, then precise control of pivoting and extension movements is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control precisionVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a support arm for pivoting, pull-out rails for linear extension, and a link arm connecting the two movements. Each component has a specific function and can be manufactured independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precise movement control through the coordinated interaction of these modular elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The link arm couples the pivoting movement of the support arm to the pull-out movement of the tray through dynamic geometric relationships rather than complex mechanical constraints. The natural geometry of the link arm and its pivot points automatically ensures synchronized movements, achieving precise control with simpler mechanics compared to traditional cam-guide systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3087866B1Fitting for a corner cupboard and corner cupboard with fitting
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 VAUTH SAGEL HLDG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3087866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087866B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)
  • EP3087866B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)

AI summary

In a fitting (1) for a corner cupboard (23) with a base (2) having a fastening device for stationary fastening, a pivoting movement about a first vertical pivot axis (5) from a pivoted-in position into a pivoted-out position on the base ( 2) mounted support arm (4), a tray (11) which is stretched along a horizontal axis (49) and is mounted on the support arm (4) so ​​that it can be pulled out from a pushed-in position into an extended position in an extension movement along the axis (49) and a the coupling device that couples the pivoting movement of the support arm (4) to the extension movement of the tray (11), the coupling device has a link arm (12) which is pivotable at one end about a second vertical pivot axis (13) on the base (2) and on its the other end about a third vertical pivot axis (17) is pivotally mounted on the tray (11). The third pivot axis (17) runs in a rear area (18) of the tray (11) in relation to the pull-out movement, and the second pivot axis (13) is in the pushed-in position of the tray (11), when viewed along the horizontal axis ( 49), between the first pivot axis (5) and the third pivot axis (17).