Drive device for a movable furniture part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for movable furniture parts, such as drawers, often cause tilting and jamming issues when wide drawers are opened or closed, as the locking mechanism can be triggered unevenly, leading to undesired jamming within the furniture body.

Innovation Solution

The drive device incorporates synchronized unlocking elements for the two ejection devices, which are connected via a rotatable synchronization rod system, allowing for simultaneous release of the locking elements from the angled end section, preventing tilting and ensuring synchronized movement, even when the drawer is pushed over on one side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single locking mechanism is used for each ejection device, then the structure is simple, but the drawer can be tilted and unlocked on one side leading to jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddrawer operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two independent locking mechanisms into a synchronized system where the first and second locking elements are coupled through a synchronization device. This ensures that both locking elements are released simultaneously, preventing the drawer from tilting or jamming while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two locking elements. It receives the actuating force and distributes it to both locking elements in a coordinated manner, ensuring synchronized operation without requiring complex independent control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If independent unlocking elements are used for each ejection device, then the locking is reliable, but the drawer may tilt when pushed over on one side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddrawer alignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the unlocking actions of both ejection devices through the synchronization device. When the drawer is pushed over, the synchronization mechanism ensures that both locking elements are released simultaneously, preventing the drawer from tilting or becoming misaligned during the ejection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization device is designed to preemptively coordinate the release of both locking elements before the drawer can tilt or jam. By ensuring simultaneous unlocking, the system prevents the harmful tilting effect from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If synchronization device is added to coordinate unlocking elements, then drawer tilting is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer alignment stabilityVSAvoiddrive device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization device serves as a relatively simple intermediary mechanism that coordinates the two locking elements. It uses basic mechanical components such as linkages or cam mechanisms to achieve synchronized release without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple additional parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization device performs multiple functions: it coordinates the unlocking timing, maintains drawer alignment, and prevents tilting. By consolidating these functions into a single mechanism, the patent avoids the need for multiple separate control systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

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

This solution effectively prevents drawer tilting and jamming by ensuring synchronized unlocking of the locking elements, allowing for smooth and reliable opening and closing of the drawer, even with wide drawers, by converting the rotary movement of one unlocking element into an opposite rotary movement of the other, thus maintaining proper alignment and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-loaded locking element for locking the ejection device in a locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the ejection takes place by means of an ejection force accumulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEjection force accumulator: Mechanical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3128871B1Drive device for a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3128871B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3128871B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3128871B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a movable furniture part (2), comprising two ejecting devices (3) arranged on opposite sides of the movable furniture part (2) for ejecting the movable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) to an open position (OS). The ejecting devices (3) each comprise a spring-loaded locking element (4) for locking the ejecting device (3) in a locking position (VS), a guide track (5) having an angled end segment (6), wherein the locking element (4) can be locked in the locking position (VS) in the angled end segment (6), and a release element (7) separate from the locking element (4), by means of which release element the locking element (4) can be released from the angled end segment (6) into an overpressing position (ÜS) lying behind the closed position (SS) when the movable furniture part (2) is overpressed, and a synchronizing device (8), by means of which the release elements (7) of the two ejecting devices (3) can be synchronized.