Furniture Ejection Mechanism With Speed-Triggered Closure Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for furniture parts fail to securely maintain the closed position when closure is too strong or fast, leading to immediate reopening or unlocking.

Innovation Solution

A speed-controlled blocking element that adjusts its position based on the closing speed of the furniture part, preventing immediate reopening by stopping the drawer at a specified threshold speed and allowing movement into the overpressure position only after a controlled delay, ensuring secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ejection device is activated by overpressing the movable furniture part, then the drawer can be opened from the closed position, but if the closure is too strong or fast, the ejection device cannot lock properly and immediately reopens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidsecure closure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is positioned in advance to block the movement path of the ejection device before the drawer can be forcefully closed. This preliminary blocking action prevents the ejection device from being pushed into the overpressure position during rapid closure, ensuring reliable locking while maintaining ease of opening through the release lever mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a blocking element is added to prevent immediate reopening, then secure closure is guaranteed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure closureVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking element is integrated into the existing ejection device housing and guideway structure, sharing space and functional elements with the ejection mechanism. The blocking element utilizes the same guideway as the ejection device and is actuated by the existing release lever, merging multiple functions into a unified structure that prevents immediate reopening without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking element acts as an intermediary component between the ejection device and the drawer, mediating the interaction by blocking the ejection device's movement path when needed. This intermediary blocking action provides secure closure while allowing the ejection device to function normally during controlled opening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Guarantees that the furniture part is safely stopped in the closed position, preventing immediate reopening even when closure is rapid or forceful, and allows controlled movement into the overpressure position, ensuring secure and gentle operation.

Implementation Method 1

the blocking element is time-controlled, e.g. via a rotary damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotary damper damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a force storage device separate from the ejection force storage device, preferably a torsion spring, is provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3114966B1Drive device for a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3114966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3114966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3114966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Drive device (1) for a movable furniture part (2), with a lockable ejection device (5) for ejecting the movable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS), the ejection device (5) 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 (70) being provided which has a first position (BL) in which the movable furniture part (2 ) can be stopped when the closed position (SS) is reached, the blocking element (70) preventing further movement of the movable furniture part (2) in the closing direction (SR), and having a second position (FR) in which the path to the overpressure position (ÜS) for the movable furniture part (2) is released.