Folding Door Ejection Device Segmentation for Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejection devices for folding and sliding doors are mounted on the furniture body, making it difficult to access the interior when open, impairing the aesthetic appeal and having unbalanced power loading issues.

Innovation Solution

Designing the ejection and charging elements as spatially separate structural units, allowing the ejection device to be mounted on one door leaf, which disappears between the folded leaves, maintaining accessibility and aesthetic appeal, and utilizing a mirror-symmetrical design for universal application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ejection device is mounted on the furniture body, then the ejection function is provided, but the interior accessibility is reduced and aesthetic appearance is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterior accessibilityVSAvoidejection device mounting position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device is segmented into two functional parts: the ejection element (5) mounted on the door leaf and the charging element (13) mounted on the furniture body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the ejection element on the door leaf disappears when folded, improving accessibility and aesthetics, while the charging element remains on the furniture body for functional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door leaf acts as an intermediary carrier for the ejection element. By mounting the ejection element on the movable door leaf rather than the stationary furniture body, the device leverages the door's movement to achieve concealment during folded positions, thereby improving both accessibility and aesthetic appearance without sacrificing ejection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the ejection device is mounted on the furniture body, then the ejection function is provided, but the overall aesthetic impression is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidejection device mounting position
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device is segmented into two functional parts: the ejection element (5) mounted on the door leaf and the charging element (13) mounted on the furniture body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the ejection element on the door leaf disappears when folded, improving accessibility and aesthetics, while the charging element remains on the furniture body for functional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting position of the ejection element is made dynamic rather than static. The element is mounted on the movable door leaf, allowing it to change position relative to the furniture body - visible when the door is open for aesthetic integration, and concealed when the door is folded for improved accessibility and appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the ejection element and charging element are integrated, then the device structure is simplified, but the power loading balance is disadvantageous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpower loading balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device is segmented into two functional parts: the ejection element (5) mounted on the door leaf and the charging element (13) mounted on the furniture body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the ejection element on the door leaf disappears when folded, improving accessibility and aesthetics, while the charging element remains on the furniture body for functional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the ejection and charging functions into different spatial locations and operational dimensions. The ejection element operates in the door movement dimension while the charging element operates in the furniture body dimension, allowing independent optimization of each function's power loading without compromising the other.

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

4Ease of operation

If the ejection element and charging element are spatially separate, then the lever effect loading is improved and accessibility is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterior accessibilityVSAvoidejection device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device is segmented into two functional parts: the ejection element (5) mounted on the door leaf and the charging element (13) mounted on the furniture body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the ejection element on the door leaf disappears when folded, improving accessibility and aesthetics, while the charging element remains on the furniture body for functional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door leaf serves multiple functions: it acts as both the closure element for the furniture and as the mounting carrier for the ejection element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the spatial separation of ejection and charging elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables efficient loading of the force accumulator using the lever effect, improves accessibility, and maintains the furniture's aesthetic appeal by concealing the ejection device when the door is open, while ensuring balanced power distribution.

Implementation Method 1

at least one force accumulator (8, 9) for storing a buckling energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lever effect of the door can be used to load the at least one force accumulator in an advantageous manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever effect: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3314079B1Ejection device for a folding door or folding and sliding door
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3314079B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3314079B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3314079B1 patent drawingFigure 1e

AI summary

The invention relates to an ejection device (1) for a folding door or folding-sliding door (2), comprising at least two door leaves (3, 4) hinged to one another, wherein the ejection device (1) has at least one ejection element (5, 6) for unfolding the folding door or folding-sliding door (2) from a closed position, in which the at least two door leaves (3, 4) are arranged in a common closing plane, into an open position, in which the at least two door leaves (3, 4) enclose an angle (7) not equal to 180° in relation to one another, wherein the at least one ejection element (5, 6) can be impinged via at least one energy storage means (8, 9) to be loaded manually by a user, and the at least one ejection device (1) has at least one locking device (10, 11) for detachably locking the at least one ejection element (5, 6) against the impingement by the at least one loaded energy storage means (8, 9), wherein, in the assembled state of the ejection device (1), the at least one locking device (10, 11) can be unlocked via the application of pressure to the folding door or folding-sliding door (2), preferably in the region (12) in which the at least two door leaves (3, 4) are hinged to one another, wherein the ejection device (1) comprises at least one moveably mounted loading element (13) for loading the at least one energy storage means (8, 9) via a folding together of the folding door or folding-sliding door (2), wherein the at least one ejection element (5, 6) and the at least one loading element (13) are formed as spatially separate components.