Movable Furniture Front Positioning with Defined Actuation Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture adjustment devices lack a defined actuation path due to the mutual abutment of adjustment parts, leading to potential overtightening and damage, and fail to provide reproducible positional alignment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of stop means on the actuating element that interact with end stops to limit the actuation travel, preventing over-rotation and ensuring precise alignment of the furniture front with respect to the furniture body, using a rotary member with a spiral link and tooth system for linear adjustment, and adapter parts with molded or separate end stops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the actuating element is adjusted without stop means, then the adjustment parts can be freely positioned, but the actuation path becomes undefined and damage can occur from overtightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreedom of adjustmentVSAvoiddefined actuation path
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Stop means are pre-installed on the actuating element and end stops are pre-positioned on the adjustment parts before the adjustment process begins. These stops define the maximum travel limits in advance, preventing overtightening and ensuring a defined actuation path while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment parts abut against each other, then the adjustment range is maximized, but the actuation path cannot be precisely limited and reproduction of alignment is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidreproducibility of alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Stop means act as intermediary elements between the actuating element and the adjustment parts. They provide a defined interface that limits the actuation path precisely, allowing the adjustment parts to achieve maximum adjustment range while ensuring reproducible alignment through consistent stop positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the actuating element is designed without integrated stop means, then the device structure is simpler, but precise limitation of actuation travel cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of actuating elementVSAvoidactuation travel limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Stop means are merged into the actuating element as an integrated component rather than a separate assembly. This combination maintains relatively simple device structure while providing precise actuation travel limitation through the built-in stop surfaces that interact with end stops on the adjustment parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise and reproducible alignment of the furniture front with the furniture body, preventing damage from adjustment part contact and ensuring consistent results after multiple actuations, while maintaining the ability to adjust inclination, height, and depth.

Implementation Method 1

the transfer means have a worm gear which has a spiral link. The spiral link interacts with a tooth system in such a way that the rotational movement of the rotary member can be converted into a linear movement of the associated adjustment part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral link mechanism: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP2774509B1Device for positioning a front of a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 GRASS GMBH
  • EP2774509B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2774509B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2774509B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The device (11) has an operable actuating element (29) that actuates an adjusting device (15) by actuating movement of actuating element in two opposing directions by user. The adjusting elements are formed separately from the actuating element by actuation of the actuating element relative to each other. A front portion (12) is coupled to the adjusting device. The actuating element actuates the movement of a hands abutment unit that limits the operating path in one direction and cooperates with end stops in the other operating direction. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a furniture portion; and (2) a furniture.