Furniture Ejection Drive with Short Clamping and Long Opening Stroke

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive devices for movable furniture parts require a long furniture part movement path to load and unload the ejection force accumulator, making the clamping process time-consuming and inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

The furniture part ejection path is significantly longer than the clamping path, allowing almost 100% of the energy to be introduced during the overpressing movement, with the tensioning path corresponding to the overpressing movement, thus minimizing user awareness of tensioning during normal movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the ejection force storage device is tensioned during a long furniture part movement path, then the ejection force can be adequately stored, but the clamping process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection force storageVSAvoidclamping process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the furniture part movement path into two distinct functional zones: a short clamping path (first region) where the ejection force storage device is tensioned, and a long ejection path (second region) where the stored energy is released. This spatial segmentation allows the tensioning operation to be completed quickly in a confined zone while the energy release occurs over a longer distance, resolving the contradiction between adequate energy storage and time-efficient operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a transmission device with mechanical advantage that transforms the relationship between furniture part movement and ejection force storage device tensioning. By using a lever arm or gear mechanism, a small movement of the furniture part in the clamping region generates a larger tensioning effect on the ejection force storage device, effectively compressing the clamping path length while maintaining adequate energy storage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the furniture part clamping path is made shorter, then the operation becomes more convenient, but the ejection path must be significantly longer to maintain energy storage efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping operation convenienceVSAvoidejection path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by tensioning the ejection force storage device during the closing movement of the furniture part, specifically in the first region before the ejection phase begins. This preliminary tensioning ensures that the energy storage is completed during the natural closing operation, and the subsequent ejection path in the second region simply releases this pre-stored energy, making the ejection path length the dominant dimension while keeping the clamping path short

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design reduces the clamping path length and ensures efficient energy storage and release, providing a more convenient and efficient ejection mechanism with a larger ejection path compared to the clamping path, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a tensionable ejection force storage device (3), an ejection element (4) actuated by the ejection force storage device (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3250771B1Drive device for a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP3250771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3250771B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3250771B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A drive device (1) for a movable furniture part (2), comprising an ejection force accumulator (3) which can be tensioned, an ejection element (4) mechanically loaded by the ejection force accumulator (3) and used to carry out an ejection movement (A) of the moveable furniture part (2) from a closed position (SS) into an open position (OS). The ejection movement (A) can be initiated by a compression movement (Ü) of the movable furniture part (2) into a compression position (ÜS) which is behind the closed position (SS). The drive device also comprises a tensioning device (5) for tensioning the ejection force accumulator (3) with energy (E) which can be emitted by the ejection movement (A). During the compression movement (Ü), at least 50% of the energy (E) emitted by the ejection force accumulator (3) during the ejection movement (A) can be introduced into the ejection force accumulator (3) by the tensioning device (5).