Furniture Guide Unit With Self-Charging Ejector Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture mechanisms require complex and energy-intensive systems for charging energy storage devices, making them difficult for users to operate, especially in terms of ease of use and energy efficiency, particularly for older individuals, children, and those with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A device for influencing furniture movement that includes a guide unit with an ejection and retraction mechanism, utilizing a mechanical force accumulator, where the ejection device's housing component is displaceable relative to the base component, allowing for simple and energy-efficient charging of the ejection force accumulator by user-driven movement, and coordinated with a retraction force accumulator to reduce manual effort required for opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical force accumulator is used for ejection and retraction devices, then the furniture part can be automatically ejected and retracted, but the charging of the energy storage device requires complex and energy-intensive systems
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device's housing component is designed to be displaceable relative to the base component, allowing the user to charge the ejection force accumulator simply by moving the housing component during normal operation. This self-charging mechanism eliminates the need for complex external charging systems while maintaining automatic ejection and retraction functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing component of the ejection device is made displaceable relative to the base component, creating a dynamic charging mechanism. This displacement allows the force accumulator to be charged through natural movement during furniture operation, transforming a static charging problem into a dynamic solution that occurs during normal use.
2Extent of automation
If a mechanical force accumulator is used, then automated ejection and retraction can be achieved, but the force required for operation may be too high for users with limited strength
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection force accumulator is charged partially through user displacement of the housing component during normal operation, rather than requiring full charging in a single action. This partial charging approach distributes the effort over multiple smaller movements, making it accessible to users with limited strength while still achieving sufficient ejection force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the charging parameter (force accumulation) to change gradually through repeated small displacements of the housing component, rather than requiring a single large force input. This transforms the operation from a high-force single-action requirement to a series of low-force movements, accommodating users with limited strength.
3Ease of operation
If the ejection device housing component is made displaceable for simple charging, then ease of operation improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable housing component serves multiple functions: it houses the ejection force accumulator, provides the charging mechanism through its displacement, and maintains the ejection function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate charging mechanisms, offsetting the structural complexity with functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function is merged with the housing component's natural displacement during operation. Rather than adding a separate charging mechanism, the housing component itself performs the charging function through its movement, combining structural and functional elements to minimize overall system complexity.
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 enables a compact, user-friendly mechanism that reduces the force needed for furniture operation, allowing for easy charging of energy storage devices, enhancing usability and energy efficiency, particularly benefiting older individuals and those with disabilities by distributing the force over a longer period.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection force storage device (11) of the ejection device (9), in which the ejection force storage device (11) can be charged with a displacement movement of the housing component (10) relative to the base component (7)
Implementation Method 2
a retraction force storage device (15) of the retraction device (8), in which the retraction force storage device (15) can be charged with a movement of the base component (13) in the first direction of movement (P1)
Implementation Method 3
A retraction or ejection force accumulator means, in particular, a mechanical force accumulator, for example a spring arrangement or a spiral spring or another spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (5) for influencing the movement of a furniture part, which is received such that said device can be moved on a furniture body of an item of furniture by means of a guide unit (1), wherein the device (5) comprises a base component associated with the guide unit (1), on which an ejector device and a pull-in device are provided, such that, the furniture part can be ejected from a closed position on the furniture body in a first direction of movement under the action of an ejection force store of the ejector device when the device (5)is mounted on the item of furniture and the furniture part can be drawn in from an opened position on the furniture body in a second direction of movement opposite to the first direction of movement under the action of a pull-in force store, and a loading mechanism for loading the force store is provided. According to the invention, the ejector device has a housing component which is different from the base component and on which the ejection force store is received, wherein the ejector device is mounted on the base component in a displaceable manner, such that the ejection force store is loaded by a movement of the housing component relative to the base component.