Furniture item with a driving device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for movable furniture parts, such as drawers, fail to ensure safe closing when pushed too hard, as the ejector mechanism is either not locked or immediately triggered, compromising safety.

Innovation Solution

A blocking element that can be moved into a blocking position to prevent unlocking of the ejector device when the overpressure position is reached, allowing the furniture part to be pushed through while maintaining the lock until a delayed release, preventing immediate unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drawer is pushed too hard or pushed right through to the end stop, then the ejector cannot lock or is triggered again immediately, but safe closing is not guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe closingVSAvoidclosing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is activated in advance during the closing movement to prevent over-pushing. It blocks the control element before the drawer can be pushed through to the end stop, thereby preventing the ejector from failing to lock or triggering immediately. This preliminary blocking action ensures reliable closing while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a blocking element stops the push-through movement of the movable furniture part, then over-pushing is prevented, but the drawer cannot be pushed through to the end stop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepush-through preventionVSAvoidpushing through movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element provides localized blocking only in the critical over-pushing region, allowing normal closing movement and end-stop engagement while preventing excessive push-through. The blocking action is spatially limited to protect the ejector mechanism without restricting legitimate operational movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the blocking element prevents unlocking of the ejection device when overpressure position is reached, then accidental unlocking is prevented, but the furniture part cannot be unlocked by firm pressing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccidental unlocking preventionVSAvoidintentional unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element dynamically switches between blocking and non-blocking states based on the closing speed and position. During rapid closing, it blocks the control element to prevent accidental unlocking. During intentional opening, when the drawer is pulled forward, the blocking element automatically retracts, allowing the ejector to unlock and the drawer to open.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element operates periodically during the closing cycle, being activated when the drawer approaches the closed position and deactivating when the drawer is pulled open. This periodic blocking ensures prevention of accidental unlocking during closing while allowing intentional opening when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3400831B1Furniture item with a driving device
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3400831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3400831B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3400831B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Drive device (1) for a movable furniture part (2), with a lockable ejection device (3) for ejecting the movable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS), the ejection device (3) being activated by overpressing the movable Furniture part (2) can be unlocked in a press-over position (ÜS) behind the closed position (SS) in the closing direction (SR), a blocking element (4) having a blocking position (B) in which the blocking element (4) moves when the Overpressure position (ÜS) prevents unlocking of the ejection device (3), and which has a release position (F) in which the ejection device (3) can be unlocked when the overpressure position (ÜS) is reached.