Furniture Fitting with Movable Pivot Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture fittings for folding furniture elements are not universally applicable and lack efficient handling options, requiring additional drilling for different configurations and having stationary pivot axes that limit flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A furniture fitting with a lever mechanism and self-tightening device, where the pivot axis of the control lever is movable relative to the furniture carcass, allowing for easier folding and conversion between one-piece and multi-piece furniture configurations without additional drilling, and featuring a power drive that adjusts force direction based on the folding position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot axis of the control lever is stationary on the furniture carcass, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis of the control lever is made movable instead of stationary, allowing it to shift position dynamically. This is achieved through a mechanism where the pivot axis can move along a guide path on the furniture carcass, enabling the control lever to adapt to different folding positions and configurations while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lever system is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls folding movements, accommodates different folding positions, and works with both one-piece and multi-piece furniture configurations. The movable pivot axis enables a single design to universally apply to various furniture types without requiring additional drilling or modification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional furniture fittings are used for different furniture configurations, then each configuration requires specific fittings, but this increases device complexity and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture fitting is designed as a universal mechanism that can be applied to both one-piece and multi-piece furniture configurations using the same drilling pattern. The movable pivot axis and articulated arms allow the same fitting to adapt to different furniture types without requiring additional holes or custom modifications to the furniture carcass.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is divided into modular components including articulated arms, control lever, and movable pivot axis mechanism. These segmented parts can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the same set of components to serve different furniture configurations through repositioning rather than requiring completely different fittings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional drilling is performed for different furniture configurations, then the fittings can be adapted to specific configurations, but this increases loss of time and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A single drilling pattern on the furniture carcass supports both one-piece and multi-piece furniture configurations. The movable pivot axis mechanism allows the control lever to be repositioned along the existing drill holes, enabling conversion between different furniture types without additional drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling pattern is pre-configured to accommodate multiple furniture configurations from the outset. By preparing the furniture carcass with a universal drilling pattern that anticipates future conversion needs, the design eliminates the need for additional drilling during later conversion operations, saving time and effort.
4Ease of operation
If the control lever is attached stationarily to the furniture body, then the attachment is simple, but the ease of operation and folding support are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever's pivot axis is made dynamically positionable rather than fixed. The mechanism allows the pivot axis to move along a predetermined path on the furniture carcass, enabling the control lever to optimally support folding movements at different positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 universal application, easier handling, and flexible conversion between different furniture configurations without additional assembly, while providing adjustable force for smooth folding and opening operations.
Implementation Method 1
with a self-tightening device having at least one power drive for introducing a force in the closing direction and after exceeding a dead center for introducing a force in the opening direction of the movable furniture part
Implementation Method 2
one of the power drives is movement-coupled to the joint arrangement via a lever mechanism with a plurality of lever arms that are articulated to one another and can be pivoted relative to one another
Implementation Method 3
The lever arms of the lever mechanism have a force deflection lever, which is mounted pivotably about a deflection lever pivot axis on the body side and is acted upon by force in a first pivoting direction by the power drive
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture fitting for a movable furniture part, in particular for driving a folding flap, a folding door, or the like, wherein the movable furniture part has a first folding part and a second folding part, which are connected to each other in an articulated manner at a hinge axis (88), wherein the furniture fitting (11) has a joint arrangement having a plurality of joint arms that are connected to each other in an articulated manner and that can be pivoted relative to each other, wherein said joint arrangement connects the first or the second folding part to a furniture body (12) of a piece (10) of furniture when the furniture fitting (11) is installed on the piece (10) of furniture, wherein the furniture fitting (11) further comprises a control lever (94), which can be pivotably mounted at one end about a body-side pivot axis (95) and can be mounted at the other end, on one of the two folding parts or on a bearing part that can be fastened there, so as to be pivotable about a furniture-part-side pivot axis (96). In said furniture fitting, the control lever (94) is connected to a steering lever (100) in an articulated manner by means of the body-side pivot axis (95), wherein said steering lever is pivotably mounted relative to the furniture body (12) by means of a steering-lever pivot axis when the furniture fitting (11) is installed on the piece (10) of furniture.