Furniture Drive Latching With Damped Heart-Shaped Guide Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for movable furniture parts experience significant noise and wear due to the high force exerted on the locking pin as it reaches the latching area, leading to undesirable noise and stress on components.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a heart-shaped guide track and a damping device that decouples the locking pin from the movable furniture part's movement, allowing the damping device to reduce kinetic energy transferred to the locking pin before it reaches the locking area, thereby preventing loud noises and minimizing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the locking pin is directly acted upon by the ejection force accumulator, then the locking force is sufficient, but noise and wear increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A damping device is introduced as an intermediary element between the ejection force accumulator and the locking pin. This damping device absorbs and dissipates the kinetic energy from the ejection force accumulator, preventing direct high-impact transmission to the locking pin. The mediator reduces the harmful shock and noise while still enabling sufficient locking force to be applied when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned in the force transmission path before the locking pin reaches the latching area. The damping element is pre-configured to absorb the impact energy during the locking movement, cushioning the subsequent engagement with the latching area and preventing high-impact noise and wear.
2Productivity
If the locking pin moves quickly into the latching area, then the locking action is efficient, but impact stress and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device serves as a mediator that controls the rate of force transmission to the locking pin. It allows the locking action to proceed efficiently while regulating the impact stress through its damping characteristics, preventing excessive stress concentration during the locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device changes the temporal parameters of the locking process by extending the duration of the locking action slightly. This parameter change allows the force to be applied more gradually, reducing peak impact stress while maintaining overall locking efficiency.
3Power
If the ejection force accumulator is fully tensioned, then the ejection force is maximized, but the locking pin experiences high impact force
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is positioned in the force transmission path to intercept and dissipate the high impact force generated by the fully tensioned ejection force accumulator. This intermediary element protects the locking pin from the full brunt of the impact while still allowing the ejection force to be fully utilized for its intended purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device converts the harmful impact force from the ejection force accumulator into beneficial damping action. The kinetic energy that would otherwise cause noise and wear is instead absorbed and dissipated by the damping element, transforming a harmful effect into a protective function.
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 effectively reduces noise and stress on components by damping the locking pin's movement, ensuring quiet and low-stress locking operation.
Implementation Method 1
A drive device with a heart-shaped guide track and a damping device that decouples the locking pin from the movable furniture part's movement, allowing the damping device to reduce kinetic energy transferred to the locking pin
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a moveable furniture part (2) comprising an ejection element (3), an ejection force accumulator (4) and a locking device (5) for the ejection element (3). Said locking device (5) comprises a locking journal (7) which is subjected to force of the ejection force accumulator (4) and can be locked in a locked position (V) in a latch region (R) of a guide track (6). Said guide track (6) is shaped like a curved heart and comprises a tightening section (S) in which the locking journal (7) can be moved when the ejection force accumulator (4) is tightened, and a latching movement section (E) of the locking journal (7) prior to reaching the locked position (V) in the latch region (R). The locking journal (7) impinged upon by the tightened ejection force accumulator (4) can be slowed down and/or dampened in the latching movement section (E) and can be placed in the latch region (R).