Furniture Ejection Mechanism With Automatic Damped Reclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture ejection systems require manual closing after unintentional triggering, risking the door to remain partially open, especially in household appliances like refrigerators or freezers.
Innovation Solution
An opening and closing system with a retraction device and damping device that automatically moves the movable furniture part from a partially open position to a closed position in a damped manner, using a mechanical energy storage device and an electrical tensioning device to ensure automatic closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a purely electromechanical drive is used for the ejection device, then the ejection function can be achieved, but the installation space increases due to the required sized electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a mechanical spring-based ejection device with an electrical retraction mechanism into a hybrid system. The mechanical spring provides the ejection force while the electrical motor handles retraction, merging two different drive mechanisms to optimize both space and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely electromechanical system with a mechanical ejection system using a spring, and only uses electricity for the retraction function. This substitution reduces the overall motor size required while maintaining the ejection capability.
2Ease of operation
If the ejection mechanism is triggered unintentionally by the user, then the door opens partially, but the door remains in a partially open position until manually closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sensor that detects the door's position and triggers an automatic closing sequence when the door is detected in a partially open position. This feedback mechanism ensures the door automatically returns to the closed position, preventing it from remaining partially open after unintentional triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and corrects the partially open door position without requiring user intervention. The sensor and control system work together to initiate the closing sequence, making the system self-correcting and eliminating the need for manual closing after unintentional activation.
3Ease of operation
If manual closing is required after unintentional triggering, then the user must intervene, but the door may remain partially open creating safety or functionality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors door position and automatically initiates closing when the door is detected in a partially open state, providing automated correction without requiring user intervention while maintaining safety and functionality.
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
Ensures automatic closure of furniture parts after unintentional triggering, maintaining functionality even in the absence of electrical components, with battery life up to two years and efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection device (10) with a tensionable mechanical energy storage device (17) and a tensioning device (16) for charging the mechanical energy storage device (17)
Implementation Method 2
a retraction device (7) and a damping device (6), which is designed to move the movable furniture part (4) from a partially open position to a closed position in a damped manner
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to an opening and closing system for an item of furniture (1), which has at least one movable furniture part (4) and a movement fitting. The opening and closing system has an ejection apparatus (10) having a loadable mechanical force store and a loading device for loading the mechanical force store, wherein the loading device is supplied with energy from an electric energy store, and wherein the ejection apparatus (10) is configured to move the movable furniture part into a partly opened position when the mechanical force store is unlocked. The opening and closing system is characterized by the fact that the movement fitting has a retraction apparatus and a damping apparatus, which is provided to move the movable furniture part (4) from a further partly opened position, which lies within a predefined area of action, in a damped manner into a closed position, and in that the partly opened position of the movable furniture part (4) achieved by the ejection apparatus (10) lies within the predefined range of action of the retraction apparatus. The invention further relates to an operating method for such an opening and closing system.