Furniture Ejector with Pawl-Driven Extension for Two-Stage Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for moving furniture parts, such as drawers or doors, face challenges in efficiently transitioning between open and closed positions, particularly in ensuring smooth and controlled movement using energy storage and guide mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating an energy accumulator, an ejector, and a pawl component with a force unit, which moves the furniture part from a closed to an open position using the stored energy and then further extends it to a second open position through a guide track system, allowing for controlled movement and recharging during closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If only an energy accumulator and ejector are used to move the furniture part, then the furniture part can be ejected from closed to first open position, but the furniture part cannot be further extended to a second open position with improved control
Solution Approach 1:
The opening movement is divided into two distinct phases: first from closed to first open position using the energy accumulator and ejector, then from first to second open position using the pawl component and force unit. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both extended opening path and controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl component acts as an intermediary mechanism between the initial ejection (first open position) and further extension (second open position). It engages with the ejector and translates the energy accumulation into controlled incremental movement, enabling the furniture part to reach a second open position with improved control.
2Power
If the energy accumulator is discharged during opening, then the ejector can move the furniture part to first open position, but the energy accumulator needs recharging during closure which requires user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that user effort during closure serves dual purposes: it closes the furniture part and simultaneously recharges the energy accumulator for the next opening cycle. This self-service approach converts what would be wasted closure effort into useful energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy accumulator is discharged during opening to provide ejection force, then recovered and recharged during closure through user effort. This cycle of discarding energy for useful work and recovering it during return movement optimizes the overall system efficiency.
3Productivity
If the ejector moves the furniture part quickly to first open position, then the opening process is fast, but the transition to second open position may lack smoothness and control
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a dynamic ejection phase (energy accumulator driving ejector for quick movement to first open position) to a controlled extension phase (pawl component with force unit providing stable, controlled movement to second open position). This dynamic adjustment ensures both speed and smoothness at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening process is divided into periodic stages: first a rapid ejection phase using stored energy, then a controlled extension phase using the pawl mechanism. This periodic action pattern allows the system to alternate between speed and control as needed.
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
Enables efficient and controlled movement of furniture parts between open and closed positions, ensuring a maximum opening path is achieved with the aid of energy storage and force units, while allowing for user-assisted closure and recharging of the energy storage device.
Implementation Method 1
the device has an energy accumulator and an ejector, so that with the device mounted on the furniture, the movable furniture part can be moved in the opening direction from a closing position into a first opening position via the ejector during an opening process under the effect of the charged energy accumulator
Implementation Method 2
the movable furniture part can be brought into the opening direction and into a closing direction opposite to the opening direction via guide means
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1, 2) for moving a movable furniture part (53) in an opening direction relative to the furniture body (51) of a piece of furniture (50) is proposed, wherein the movable furniture part (53) can be moved via guide means (52) in the opening direction and in a closing direction opposite to the opening direction, wherein the device (1, 2) has a power storage device (7) and an ejector (6), such that with the device (1, 2) mounted on the piece of furniture (50), the movable furniture part (53) can be moved from a closed position to a first opening position in the opening direction by means of the charged power storage device (7) via the ejector (6) during an opening process, by the power storage device (7) driving the ejector (6) from a closed position of the ejector (6) in an opening movement of the ejector (6) in an opening direction and the opening movement of the ejector (6) onto the movable furniture part (53) is transferable.According to the invention, the device (1, 2) has a latch component (5) and a force unit (4) acting on the latch component, wherein the latch component (5) interacts with the ejector (6) in such a way that the latch component (5) under the force of the charged force unit (4) carries the ejector (6) from the first opening position to the second opening position in the opening direction.