Furniture element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Furniture elements with translational-rotational movement face challenges in supporting rotational movement, especially in larger units, due to component rigidity and tolerance issues, making it difficult to integrate additional functionalities like ejection functions without compromising guidance of bearing elements.
Innovation Solution
A furniture element design featuring a translational-rotation bearing with a functional plate having integrated guide tracks and elements, allowing for reliable translational-rotational movement and easy integration of additional functions like self-retraction, ejection, and damping, while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and providing lateral guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional translational rotary bearing is installed in the area of the cover plates to support rotational movement, then the rotational movement is supported, but the installation becomes particularly difficult due to larger tolerances and lack of stiffness of the individual components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover plate with a functional plate that integrates guide tracks and functional elements directly into it. This merging eliminates the need for separate additional translational rotary bearings in the cover plate area, as the guide tracks provide the necessary guidance while accommodating tolerances and component flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional plate serves multiple functions: it provides guidance through integrated guide tracks, supports functional elements (such as ejection mechanisms or damping elements), and accommodates the inner body's movement. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require separate specialized components.
2Ease of operation
If rolling bearing elements are installed in a translational rotary bearing, then translational-rotational movement is enabled, but the bearing elements are no longer guided in the bearing grooves due to tolerances and lack of stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guide tracks to accommodate tolerances and component flexibility. The guide tracks are designed with specific shapes and dimensions that provide effective guidance even when components exhibit slight variations or deflections under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance function is segmented into multiple guide tracks distributed across the functional plate, rather than relying on a single bearing groove system. This distribution of guidance functions improves overall reliability by not depending on a single critical guidance path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional functional elements are integrated into the translational rotary bearing, then additional functionalities are achieved, but the integration becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional elements directly into the functional plate, which is itself integrated with the cover plate structure. This consolidation allows ejection elements, damping elements, or other functional components to be incorporated without requiring separate integration processes, thereby reducing overall integration difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional plate is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various types of functional elements through standardized integration methods. This multi-functionality approach allows different functionalities to be added to the same structural component without increasing integration complexity.
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 smooth translational-rotational movement with minimal resistance and supports the integration of various functional elements, enhancing accessibility and usability of furniture elements while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The translational-rotational bearing (4) is located between the base plate (21) of the outer body (2) and the base plate (31) of the inner body (3)
Implementation Method 2
a guide element (8), arranged on the cover plate (22) of the outer body (2), which projects into the first guide track (6) and is movable along the guide track
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture element (2, 3) comprising an outer body (2) and an inner body (3) which is movably mounted relative to the outer body via a translation-rotation bearing (4). The outer body (2) and the inner body (3) have at least one base (21, 31) and a cover panel (22, 32), wherein the inner body (3) has at least one lateral wall (33) connected to the base (31) and the cover panel (32), and the translation-rotation bearing (4) is arranged between the base (21) of the outer body (2) and the base (31) of the inner body (3). The cover panel (32) of the inner body (3) or a panel which is arranged between the cover panel (22) of the outer body (2) and the cover panel (32) of the inner body (3) is designed as a functional panel (5) with a first guide track (6) integrated into same and at least one functional element (9) integrated into the guide track, and a guide element (8) which protrudes into the first guide track (6) and can be moved along the guide track (6) and which interacts with the functional element (9) upon reaching same is arranged on the cover panel (22) of the outer body (2).