Furniture Flap Fitting Auxiliary Element Extension Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flap fittings with lever mechanisms that retract into a housing in a closed state are difficult to manually extend for mounting, posing risks during transport and installation due to spring force and accidental movement.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary element is detachably and pivotably attached to a lever, allowing easy manual extension of the lever mechanism by providing a direct pull without slipping, and includes a locking section to prevent unintentional extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lever mechanism is retracted into the housing in a closed state, then the flap fitting achieves a compact design suitable for transport and installation, but it becomes difficult to manually extend the lever mechanism for mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary element as an intermediary tool that facilitates the extension of the lever mechanism. This auxiliary element temporarily connects to the lever mechanism, providing the necessary leverage to overcome the retraction force, and is then removed after serving its purpose. This resolves the contradiction by enabling easy extension during mounting while maintaining retraction during transport.
2Extent of automation
If spring force is used to automatically retract the lever mechanism into the housing, then automatic closing function is achieved, but the risk of unintentional movement and injury increases during transport and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing instructions or measures before transport and installation to ensure the lever mechanism remains in a safe state. This may include positioning the lever mechanism in a specific configuration or providing guidance on proper handling to prevent unintentional activation of the spring force, thereby reducing the risk of harmful effects while maintaining the automatic closing function.
3Extent of automation
If the lever mechanism is held in the housing by spring force in the closed position, then automatic closing is achieved, but manual pulling of the lever mechanism out becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary element serves as a mediator that temporarily connects to the lever mechanism, providing the necessary mechanical advantage to overcome the spring force holding the lever mechanism in the retracted position. This allows manual extension without requiring excessive force, resolving the contradiction between automatic closing and ease of manual extension.
Data Source
AI summary
A flap fitting for furniture has a lever mechanism with multiple levers for guiding a flap of the furniture. The lever mechanism is retracted at least partly into a housing of the lever fitting in a closed position. An auxiliary element is releasably secured to one of the levers of the lever mechanism. The auxiliary element has a locking section that blocks a movement of the lever relative to the housing in a locking position. After the lock of the auxiliary element is released, the auxiliary element is pivotally secured to one of the levers of the lever mechanism in order to extend the lever mechanism out of the opening by pulling the auxiliary element.