Furniture Fitting Adjustment Joint for Side-Access Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture fittings with rotatably mounted actuating elements face difficulties in adjustment, especially when the carrier is mounted on a side wall, as tools or hands collide with the furniture body, particularly in compact designs where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The actuating element is coupled to a threaded section via an angularly movable coupling device, such as a ball and socket joint, allowing for adjustable angles between the axis of rotation and the fastening surface, enabling easy access and adjustment by positioning tools at an angle, and featuring a tool holder and friction surfaces for self-locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is mounted with a fixed axis of rotation perpendicular to the fastening surface, then the structure is simple and stable, but the actuating element becomes inaccessible for adjustment when the carrier is mounted on a side wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the axis of rotation of the actuating element adjustable rather than fixed. The angularly movable coupling device allows the axis of rotation to be repositioned at different angles relative to the fastening surface, enabling the actuating element to be accessed from various directions depending on the mounting location. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between operational accessibility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the dimensionality change principle by introducing angular positioning as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of a single fixed axis perpendicular to the fastening surface, the actuating element can be oriented at multiple angles in three-dimensional space through the angularly movable coupling device. This adds a rotational dimension to the mounting configuration, allowing access from different spatial directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the furniture fitting is made narrower and more compact, then the space efficiency is improved, but the adjustment of the actuating element becomes more difficult due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable axis of rotation provided by the angularly movable coupling device enables the actuating element to be positioned at optimal angles for access in compact configurations. This dynamic repositioning capability allows the furniture fitting to maintain a narrow, space-efficient design while still providing adequate access to the actuating element by orienting it toward available space rather than requiring a larger overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
By allowing the actuating element to be oriented at various angles through the angularly movable coupling device, the patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to resolve the access problem in compact designs. Instead of increasing the horizontal dimensions of the furniture fitting, the solution exploits the angular dimension to position the actuating element within the limited space available, maintaining compactness while ensuring operability.
3Ease of operation
If the axis of rotation is oriented at an angle to the fastening surface, then the actuating element becomes more accessible, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The angularly movable coupling device serves as an intermediary component between the carrier and the actuating element. This intermediate mechanism absorbs the complexity of angular adjustment, allowing the actuating element to be positioned at various angles relative to the fastening surface without requiring complex integrated mounting structures. The coupling device acts as a flexible connector that simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling the desired angular positioning for improved accessibility.
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 allows for comfortable and accessible actuation of the actuating element, preventing collisions and improving usability even in compact furniture fittings by providing a range of relative positions and allowing stepless adjustment of the angle between the axis of rotation and the fastening surface.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating element is coupled to the threaded section via an angularly movable coupling device, which preferably comprises a ball and socket joint
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element can be moved by the angularly movable coupling device in such a way that the angle between the axis of rotation of the actuating element and the fastening surface of the carrier can be adjusted
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture fitting (4) comprising: a carrier (5) having at least one substantially flat securing surface (5a, 5b) for securing on a furniture part (2a); at least one control part (12) that can be moved relative to the carrier (5); and an adjusting device (9) for adjusting a position of the control part (12) relative to the carrier (5), wherein the adjusting device (9) has at least one actuation element (16) that can be rotated about an axis of rotation (18), wherein the control part (12) can be adjusted relative to the carrier (5) by exerting a torque on the at least one actuation element (16), wherein the axis of rotation (18) of the actuation element (16) encloses an angle (a) of greater than 0° and smaller than 90° to at least one securing surface (5a, 5b) of the carrier (5), and wherein the actuation element (16) is coupled to the control part (12) via an angularly moveable coupling device (20), preferably comprising a ball joint.