Furniture Fitting Coil Spring Geometry for Compact Energy Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture fittings require larger installation spaces to accommodate energy storage mechanisms for higher forces, which can affect the design and visual appearance of furniture.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-circular shaped wire spring elements, such as oval, elliptical, or rectangular cross-sections, increases the section modulus, allowing for higher energy storage and release with a compact design, enabling identical or greater spring constants in a smaller space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional circular wire spring elements are used, then the installation space is smaller, but the energy storage capacity and spring constant are insufficient for higher force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the spring wire from a circular cross-section to a non-circular cross-section (such as rectangular, oval, or elliptical). This shape change increases the section modulus of the wire, which directly enhances the spring constant and energy storage capacity without requiring a larger installation space. The non-circular cross-section allows the spring to achieve higher forces within the same spatial constraints.
2Strength
If the spring element wire has a non-circular outer contour, then the section modulus and energy storage increase, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the wire cross-section from circular to non-circular shapes (rectangular, oval, elliptical). While this increases the section modulus and strength, it also introduces manufacturing challenges. The solution involves selecting cross-section shapes that balance enhanced mechanical properties with manufacturability, potentially using standard non-circular wire profiles available from manufacturers.
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 the absorption, deposition, and emission of larger energy quantities within a smaller installation space, supporting the opening and closing of furniture flaps with reduced user effort and preventing accidental closure due to weight.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element made of at least one wire... the energy storage mechanism is provided to compensate for a weight of the furniture flap... an opening force is exerted by the energy storage mechanism on an actuating device... the energy storage mechanism is also used to exert a closing force on the actuating device
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture fitting includes a mounting device for releasably fastening the furniture fitting to one of two furniture parts, an actuating device which can be connected to the other of the two furniture parts and which is mounted so as to be movable relative to the mounting device, an energy accumulator which has a spring element formed from a wire, an the spring element is designed as a coil spring, and a force transmission mechanism by which energy which can be deposited in the energy accumulator can be transmitted to the actuating device. The wire has, in a cross-section normal to a longitudinal axis of the at least one wire, an outer contour which deviates from a circular shape.