Furniture Drive Actuating Arm Ejection Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture drives with ejection devices have limited opening angles, often less than 5 degrees, making it difficult to open large or heavy furniture flaps, and the ejection mechanisms protrude, affecting aesthetics and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A furniture drive design where the opening device is connected to the actuating arm via a connecting device, allowing direct force transmission and eliminating the need for a separate TIP-ON mechanism, with an opening spring and locking device configuration that enables a larger opening angle and flexible use with different flap sizes and weights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ejection mechanism is made longer to increase the opening angle, then the opening angle is improved, but the ejection mechanism protrudes considerably when the flap is open, obstructing furniture use and affecting aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening angleVSAvoidprotrusion obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection function is segmented from a separate long protruding mechanism and integrated into the actuating arm assembly. The actuating arm itself performs the ejection function through its existing movement range, eliminating the need for additional protruding components while achieving the same opening angle improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection mechanism is merged with the actuating arm arrangement. The opening device is connected to the actuating arm via a connecting device, allowing the actuating arm to extend the ejection force directly. This integration eliminates separate protruding ejection components while maintaining effective ejection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If a separate TIP-ON mechanism is used to eject the furniture flap, then the opening force is improved, but the device complexity increases and aesthetics are compromised due to protruding components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection forceVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The TIP-ON ejection function is merged into the existing actuating arm arrangement. The opening device connects to the actuating arm via a connecting device, allowing the actuating arm to transmit ejection force directly to the furniture flap. This eliminates the need for separate protruding ejection mechanisms while maintaining effective ejection force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating arm is given multiple functions: it serves both as the primary actuation mechanism for flap movement and as the ejection mechanism for the TIP-ON function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated ejection components, reducing overall device complexity.

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

3Force

If the ejection mechanism is made more powerful to handle heavy flaps, then the ejection capability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex and requires significant adjustment space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection capabilityVSAvoidadjustment space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating arm arrangement is designed to serve multiple functions including handling heavy flaps through its existing mechanical advantage. The spring mechanism and actuating arm configuration provide sufficient ejection capability for various flap weights without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or significant adjustment space.

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

4Stability of the object's composition

If the release element is fixedly connected to the furniture flap or actuating arm, then the connection stability is improved, but the release element must move along with the entire range of motion, requiring a complex design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidrelease element design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The release element is segmented from the furniture flap and actuating arm, making it a separate independent component. This allows the release element to remain stationary while the furniture flap and actuating arm move, simplifying its design while maintaining stable connection functionality through the locking device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves a significantly larger opening angle of up to 20 degrees, improving ease of use and aesthetics by integrating the TIP-ON mechanism into the furniture drive, allowing easier operation and retrofitting of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a main spring acting on the actuating arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the opening device has an opening spring that acts on the actuating arm in the opening direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2710211B1Actuating drive for a furniture flap
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP2710211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2710211B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a furniture drive (51) for a moveable furniture flap (11), comprising an adjusting arm (52) which is connected to the furniture flap (11), a main spring (59) which applies force to the adjusting arm (52), a lockable opening device (10) for moving the furniture flap (11) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS), a locking device (17) for locking the opening device (10), a release element (53) resting on the furniture flap (11) or on the adjusting arm (52) at least in the closed position (SS), said release element unlocking the locking device (17) when excess pressure is applied to the furniture flap (11) in the closing direction (SR). The opening device (10) is connected to the adjusting arm (52) by means of a connecting device (54) and by means of the unlocked opening device (10), an opening force for opening the moveable furniture flap (11) is applied to the adjusting arm (52).