Furniture Ejection Coupling with Path-Controlled Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejection devices for movable furniture parts suffer from unreliable and imprecise coupling and decoupling due to non-positive magnetic or form-fit couplings, leading to potential early decoupling during jerky movements.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical control device that switches the coupling device from a coupling to a decoupling position based on a predetermined opening path, ensuring precise and secure coupling and decoupling through a distance-controlled mechanism, with a form-fitting hold in the coupling position that can be canceled by the control device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If magnetic coupling is used for coupling the ejection device to the movable furniture part, then the coupling is simple and easy to implement, but the decoupling point cannot be precisely determined and decoupling may occur prematurely during jerky movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of coupling implementationVSAvoidreliability of coupling position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A control element acts as an intermediary between the movable furniture part and the coupling piece. This control element guides the coupling piece along a predetermined path and ensures that decoupling only occurs at the specifically designed decoupling position, preventing premature decoupling while maintaining simple magnetic coupling implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely magnetic coupling with a hybrid system that incorporates mechanical guidance through the control element. The control element physically guides the coupling piece, providing precise positional control while the magnetic field maintains the coupling force, thus achieving both ease of implementation and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If positive locking coupling is used to secure the coupling piece to the movable furniture part, then the coupling is secure and reliable, but wear occurs on adjacent parts due to frequent coupling and decoupling movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of couplingVSAvoidwear and maintenance of coupling components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the decoupling function from the direct coupling interface. Instead of the coupling piece directly engaging and disengaging from the movable furniture part through friction-based positive locking, the control element is introduced to manage the decoupling process, reducing wear on the primary coupling components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control element provides dynamic guidance to the coupling piece, allowing it to move smoothly along a predetermined path during coupling and decoupling operations. This dynamic guidance reduces impact and wear on stationary components while maintaining secure coupling when engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling device allows flexible decoupling through force-based mechanisms, then the device can adapt to movement variations, but decoupling cannot be precisely controlled and may occur at incorrect positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to movement variationsVSAvoidprecision of decoupling position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is pre-configured with a specifically designed path that includes a predetermined decoupling position. This preliminary design ensures that decoupling occurs at the exact intended location, providing precise control while allowing the system to adapt to normal movement variations through the guided path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3307975B1Ejection device for a movable furniture part

Publication Date: 2022.07.06 JULIUS BLUM GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to an ejection device (1) for ejecting a movable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS) along an opening path (O), comprising a support (3) and a coupling device (26) for coupling the ejection device (1) to the movable furniture part (2). The coupling device (26) has a coupling piece (25) which can be moved relative to the support (3) and a coupling counter piece (24) which is arranged on the movable furniture part (2) or on a furniture body (22). The coupling device (26) has a coupling position (K) and a decoupling position (EK), and the ejection device (1) can be coupled to the movable furniture part (2) via the coupling device (26) in the coupling position (K). The ejection device also comprises a controller, by means of which the coupling device (26) can be switched depending on the opening path (O), and the coupling device (26) reaches the decoupling position (EK) from the coupling position (K) in the event of a specified opening path (VO).