Furniture Drive Guide Path for Adjustable Drawer Retraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Furniture drives with existing retraction mechanisms face challenges in adjusting the retraction path and spring force to accommodate different sizes and weights of movable furniture parts, leading to potential failure in fully closing heavier drawers due to excessive retraction path length and conflicting forces between retraction and ejection springs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide path with two bends and a movably-supported switch element that can be positioned to block or unblock the first bend, allowing for adjustable retraction paths and spring forces, and integrating an ejection device with a Touch-Latch mechanism to manage opposing spring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the guide path has only one bend for locking the entrainment member, then the structure is simple, but the retraction path cannot be adjusted for different furniture part weights
Solution Approach 1:
The guide path is segmented into multiple bends (first bend and second bend) spaced at different positions. The switch element divides the single locking mechanism into selectable segments, allowing the entrainment member to lock at either the first bend (longer retraction path) or the second bend (shorter retraction path), thus providing adjustability without requiring a completely separate guide path for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The switch element is made movable between two switching positions to dynamically change the locking configuration. When switched to the first position, it blocks the first bend; when switched to the second position, it unblocks the first bend. This dynamic switching mechanism allows the system to adapt its retraction path length based on the weight and size of the furniture part being supported
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entrainment member has an inherent adjusting device like a peg, then the retraction path can be adjusted, but the entrainment member becomes complex to manufacture and can only be guided at one side
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting function is extracted from the entrainment member and placed into the guide path structure itself. Instead of embedding a peg or adjusting mechanism within the entrainment member, the patent provides two bends and a switch element in the guide path that control where the entrainment member locks. This separates the adjustment functionality from the entrainment member, simplifying its manufacturing while maintaining adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The switch element acts as an intermediary between the operator's adjustment choice and the entrainment member's locking position. Rather than modifying the entrainment member directly, the switch element mediates by blocking or unblocking the first bend, thereby controlling which locking position is available to the entrainment member without requiring any complexity in the entrainment member itself
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 enables variable adjustment of retraction paths and spring forces, ensuring heavier drawers can be fully retracted and safely closed, while reducing the operational force required for ejection, thus enhancing the functionality and usability of furniture drives.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device (29) for applying a force to the entrainment member (30)
Implementation Method 2
the guide path (26) includes a first bend (27) for releasably locking the entrainment member (30)
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture drive for retracting a movably supported furniture part into a closed position relative to a furniture carcass includes a housing, an entrainment member which can be releasably coupled to the movable furniture part, a spring device for applying a force to the entrainment member, and a guide path arranged or formed on the housing. The entrainment member is displaceably arranged along the guide path, and the guide path includes a first bend for releasably locking the entrainment member. The guide path includes at least one second bend for releasably locking the entrainment member, and at least one movably-supported switch element with a first and with a second switching position is provided. The switch element, in the first switching position, blocks the first bend so that the entrainment member can move into the second bend and the switch element, in the second switching position, unblocks the first bend so that the entrainment member can move into the first bend.