Device for moving a movable furniture part in an opening direction relative to a furniture body of a piece of furniture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture mechanisms lack an efficient method for enhancing the charging function during the closing process of movable furniture parts, such as drawers or flaps, which limits the ease and effectiveness of their operation.

Innovation Solution

A device with an energy storage system and a coupling device that amplifies force transmission, allowing the energy storage to be charged during the closing movement of the furniture part, utilizing a mechanism with a guide lever, connecting element, and clamping lever to reduce the force required for charging, enabling easier operation and improved functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional coupling device is used to charge the energy storage device during the closing process, then the energy storage can be charged, but the force required for charging is too high making operation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of chargingVSAvoidforce required for charging
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device employs dynamic lever arms that change position during the closing process. The first lever arm (between ejector and guide lever pivot) lengthens while the second lever arm (between guide lever pivot and energy storage) shortens, creating a dynamically changing mechanical advantage that reduces required charging force throughout the motion range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the linear force application into a rotational moment application through the guide lever pivot point. By converting the ejection force into a moment about the pivot and then into charging force, the system exploits the dimensional transformation from linear to rotational mechanics to achieve force multiplication.

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

2Productivity

If the force transmission ratio is constant throughout the closing process, then the mechanism is simple, but the charging efficiency is insufficient at the end of the loading process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever arm lengths are designed to change dynamically during the closing process. As the ejector moves from initial to final position, the first lever arm extends while the second lever arm retracts, creating a progressively increasing force transmission ratio that maximizes charging efficiency precisely when needed at the end of the loading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters (lever arm lengths) of the coupling device during operation. The ratio of the first lever arm length to the second lever arm length increases continuously during the closing process, transforming the force transmission characteristics to match the charging requirements at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution enables a more efficient charging process with reduced force requirements, allowing for smoother operation and enhanced functionality of movable furniture parts by amplifying the force transmission during the loading process, thus improving the overall usability and efficiency of the furniture mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

an energy storage device, so that with the device mounted on the furniture, the movable furniture part can be brought into the opening direction during an opening process under the action of the energy storage device, with a charging process of the energy storage device taking place when the movable furniture part moves in the closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Mechanical Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

the force transmission ratio of the coupling device increases during the loading process of the movable furniture part at the end of the loading process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

the coupling device comprises a guide lever, a connecting element and a clamping lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3132714B1Device for moving a movable furniture part in an opening direction relative to a furniture body of a piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3132714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (1, 58, 62) for moving a movable furniture part (53) in an opening direction in relation to a furniture body (51) of a piece of furniture (50) is proposed, the movable furniture part (53) being guided via guide means (52) in the opening direction and can be brought into a closing direction, the device (1, 58, 62) having an energy accumulator (3), so that the movable furniture part (53) can be brought into the opening direction during an opening process under the action of the energy accumulator (3), when the moveable furniture part (53) moves in the closing direction, the energy store (3) is loaded, and the loading process takes place by power transmission from the ejector via a coupling device (4) to the energy store (3). According to the invention, the coupling device (4) comprises a guide lever (34), a connecting element and a tensioning lever (30), so that the connecting element and the tensioning lever (30) are arranged on the guide lever (34) in such a way that during the charging process of the energy accumulator, the force of the Ejector takes place via the coupling device (4) on the energy store.