Lift-Up Furniture Flap Coupling for Low-Power Assisted Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture designs with upwardly movable flaps face challenges in intuitive operability, particularly with heavy flaps of large surface area, which are difficult to manipulate and require significant effort to open and close, especially when located in high spatial positions.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device is introduced between the electric drive device and the actuating arm, allowing the arm to move freely across a limited pivoting range, facilitating the movement of the flap by providing a starting impulse and reducing the need for continuous motorized support, while a spring device compensates for the flap's weight, making it self-supporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electric drive device is used to support the movement of heavy flaps, then the operability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the electric drive device and the actuating arm. This coupling device allows the actuating arm to move freely within a limited pivoting range while still receiving support from the electric drive, thereby maintaining ease of operation without requiring a complex continuous support mechanism throughout the entire movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric drive device operates only across a partial range of the pivotal distance of the actuating arm rather than providing continuous support throughout the entire movement. This partial action is sufficient to provide the necessary starting impulse, while the spring device handles the remainder of the movement, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining operability.
2Ease of operation
If the electric drive device operates across the full pivoting range, then the flap movement is fully supported, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive device is designed to operate only across a partial range of the pivotal distance rather than the full range. This provides sufficient support during the critical portion of movement while allowing the spring device to handle the remainder, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate support for flap movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric drive device provides intermittent support rather than continuous operation. It activates during specific portions of the pivoting range when support is most needed, then disengages, allowing the spring device to take over. This periodic action pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a heavy flap with large surface area is used, then the furniture functionality is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device serves as an intermediary mechanism that allows heavy flaps with large surface areas to be operated easily. It enables the actuating arm to move freely within a limited pivoting range while receiving supportive forces from the electric drive device, thus maintaining ease of operation despite the increased weight and size of the flap.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device acts as a counterweight mechanism that compensates for the weight of heavy flaps. By providing an opposing force to gravity, the spring device reduces the effort required to manipulate large surface area flaps, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite their size and weight.
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
The solution enhances the operability of the flap by minimizing the power required from the electric drive, allowing for easier opening and closing of heavy flaps with reduced effort, and enables a minimally structured electric motor to operate effectively while using less power.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device which can be adjusted in order for the torque applied on the actuating arm can be varied
Implementation Method 2
the electric drive device preferably only operates across a partial range of the pivotal distance of the actuating arm. This can, for example, allow the motor to supply a starting impulse
Data Source
AI summary
A piece of furniture including a body and at least one flap that can be upwardly displaced by means of at least one actuating arm which is joined to the flap in an articulated manner and can preferably be pivoted about a horizontal axis. At least one actuating arm is subjected to the action of a spring device, and at least one electric drive acts on at least one actuating arm. A coupling device acts between the electric drive and the actuating arm, said coupling device having a free wheel for freely displacing the actuating arm into an open position and/or a closed position, in at least one rotary direction over a defined angular region.