Furniture Door Lifting System With Initial Opening Thrust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lifting systems for door leaves that swing about a horizontal axis, without handles, require additional effort to open due to lack of initial opening assistance, and existing solutions are complex, non-adjustable, unreliable, and costly.

Innovation Solution

A lifting system comprising a supporting body, articulated levers, and elastic actuation means with adjustable preloading and cam mechanisms that provide an initial opening thrust, allowing easy operation without handles, by using a spring-loaded slider interacting with a pin on the second lever, enhancing the rotation torque and reducing the force needed to open the door leaf.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional lifting systems are used for door leaves without handles, then the door leaf can be supported and opened, but additional effort is required and operation is not effortless

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening door leafVSAvoidforce required to open door
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is pre-loaded in the closed position to store elastic energy, which is then released to provide an initial opening thrust when the door is activated, eliminating the need for user effort to overcome the closing force of the elastic actuation means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic initial opening means enable the door leaf to open itself automatically when activated, without requiring external handles or additional user force, as the pre-loaded spring provides the necessary thrust to initiate opening movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If elastic initial opening means are added to provide opening assistance, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening door leafVSAvoidcomplexity of lifting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic initial opening means are integrated into the existing supporting body and articulated lever system, combining the spring element, slider, and pin components with the conventional lifting mechanism to provide opening assistance without requiring a separate independent system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider acts as an intermediary element that translates the rotational movement of the second lever into linear movement that compresses and releases the spring, mediating between the door leaf and the elastic energy storage mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the elastic initial opening system provides high opening force, then door opening becomes effortless, but the system becomes non-adjustable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening door leafVSAvoidadjustability of preloading
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The preloading force of the spring element is made adjustable through the positioning of the second lever, allowing the system to adapt to different door weights and opening requirements by modifying the lever position rather than changing the spring itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows adjustment of the preloading parameter by changing the position of the second lever on the articulation axis, which modifies the mechanical advantage and consequently the opening force provided by the spring element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If complex elastic initial opening systems are implemented, then opening assistance is provided, but reliability decreases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening door leafVSAvoidreliability of lifting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic initial opening means use simple, inexpensive components such as a spring element, slider, and pin that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, avoiding complex mechanisms that would reduce reliability and increase cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system enables effortless opening of door leaves by providing a high initial opening force, overcoming the closing force, allowing users to open the door manually without handles, while being simple, reliable, and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

elastic actuation means, which are functionally connected to said system of articulated levers in order to generate a rotation torque for said system of levers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said spring being adapted to act on a slider that can move with respect to said supporting body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 3

a system of articulated levers which are connected to said supporting body and to a door leaf of the item of furniture, said system of levers comprising a first lever which has an end connected rotatably to said supporting body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3497294B1Lifting system for door leaves of furniture that swing about at least one horizontal axis
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ARTURO SALICE SPA
  • EP3497294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3497294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3497294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lifting system (10) for door leaves of furniture that swing about at least one horizontal axis between a closed position and a raised open position, the lifting system (10) comprising a supporting body (15) which can be connected to a fixed portion of the item of furniture, a system of articulated levers (16) which are connected to the supporting body (15) and to a door leaf of the item of furniture, the system of levers (16) comprising a first lever (17) which has an end connected rotatably to the supporting body (15) by way of a rotation axis (18) and a second lever (19) which has an end that can be connected rotatably to an element (21) for fixing on the door leaf of the item of furniture, the first lever and the second lever being mutually articulated at the respective other ends, and elastic actuation means (24, 26), which are functionally connected to the system of articulated levers (16) in order to generate a rotation torque for the system of levers, and further comprising elastic initial opening means (50) which are adapted to act functionally on the second lever (19) of the system of articulated levers (16).