Flap Fitting Toggle Lever Mechanism for Compact High-Force Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flap fittings face challenges in optimizing installation space and achieving variable setting forces, often resulting in inefficient use of space and limited maximum force capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flap fitting design featuring a pivotable setting arm, a toggle lever mechanism with an energy accumulator, and a setting contour arrangement that allows for efficient force transmission, enabling compact design and high variability in setting forces through the use of a flat spring or other shaped springs, which are elastically loaded between the base element and the setting arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional flap fitting design is used, then the structure is simple, but the installation space is large and the maximum actuating force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the force transmission path from a linear extension to a compact planar arrangement. The energy accumulator's force acts perpendicular to the toggle lever mechanism plane, allowing force vectors to converge at the pivot axis. This dimensional reorganization reduces the footprint from a linear extension to a compact planar configuration, achieving high force transmission in limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the toggle lever mechanism, specifically the distances from the pivot axis to the link points. By optimizing these parameters, the mechanical advantage is increased, allowing the energy accumulator to generate higher actuating forces on the setting arm within a compact installation space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional flap fitting design is used, then the structure is compact, but the setting force variability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic setting contour arrangement that allows the mechanical advantage to vary continuously throughout the range of motion. The setting contour on the first lever creates a variable transmission ratio, enabling the setting force to be adjusted dynamically as the setting arm moves between open and closed positions, achieving high adaptability without excessive complexity.
3Force
If the energy accumulator is positioned far from the pivot axis, then the lever ratio is favorable, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the force transmission paths of the energy accumulator and the setting arm through the toggle lever mechanism. Both forces converge at the pivot axis, allowing the energy accumulator to be positioned closer to the pivot without sacrificing force transmission efficiency. This merging of force paths enables compact base element design while maintaining favorable lever ratios.
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 design reduces installation space while achieving high maximum actuating forces and variable setting forces, allowing for efficient operation and easy installation, with the energy accumulator enhancing force transmission and torque management.
Implementation Method 1
an energy accumulator (21), in particular in the form of a flat spring, which is elastically loaded between the base element (15) and the setting arm (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A flap fitting includes a setting arm attached to a base element so as to be pivotable about a setting axis between an open position and a closed position, a toggle lever mechanism having a first lever and a second lever connected to each other pivotably about a pivot axis, and an energy accumulator. The energy accumulator acts on the first lever at a first link point spaced from the pivot axis and on the second lever at a second link point spaced from the pivot axis. Also, the first link point and the second link point are acted upon by the energy accumulator with force towards one another. A setting contour arrangement with a setting contour and a guide element is arranged between the first lever and the setting arm and the guide element is movable along the setting contour. The setting arm is forcedly loaded in the direction of rotation about the setting axis at least in a partial section along the setting contour by the first lever via the setting contour arrangement.