Furniture Lock Automatic Closure Push Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locks for furniture in moving vehicles lack reliable automatic closure and push opening mechanisms, often requiring additional components and visible external elements, which compromise safety and design aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A lock with automatic closure and push opening that integrates a supporting body with a lever and detent element, using elastic means for locking and a concealed design, allowing secure closure without external protrusions and additional components, suitable for vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locks with automatic closure are used, then reliable locking is achieved, but additional components and visible external elements are required which compromise design aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lock mechanism and release mechanism into a single integrated unit. The lever (3) serves dual functions: it acts as both the locking element that engages with the abutment tooth (7) and the release element that responds to pushing forces. This eliminates the need for separate locking and releasing components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable automatic closure and push opening functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional locks with automatic closure are used, then reliable locking is achieved, but external protective and aesthetic covering elements must be fitted which compromise design aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the release function from external protruding elements and integrates it into the leaf structure itself. The release lever (3) is positioned such that it can be actuated by pushing forces applied directly to the leaf surface, eliminating the need for external buttons, handles, or covering elements. This allows the lock mechanism to be concealed within the leaf structure while maintaining full functionality, achieving both reliability and aesthetic appearance.
3Shape
If concealed locks with push opening are used, then aesthetic design is improved, but reliable automatic locking upon closure is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through the abutment tooth (7) geometry and lever positioning. As the closure leaf moves toward the closed position, the detent element (4) is pre-positioned to engage with the abutment tooth (7) before the leaf fully closes. This ensures that automatic locking occurs reliably during the closure motion itself, without requiring additional mechanisms or compromising the concealed design. The push opening function is simultaneously enabled through the lever's integration with the leaf surface.
4Shape
If concealed locks with push opening are used, then aesthetic design is improved, but the lock is subject to failure if the user tries to open the leaf incorrectly by pulling instead of pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic response through the lever (3) mechanism. The lever is positioned and dimensioned to respond differently to pushing versus pulling forces. When a pushing force is applied to the leaf surface, the lever rotates in the direction that releases the detent element (4) from the abutment tooth (7), enabling opening. When a pulling force is applied, the lever's geometry and the elastic means (5) prevent rotation in the opening direction, maintaining the locked state. This dynamic behavior allows the lock to distinguish between correct (pushing) and incorrect (pulling) operations, improving reliability while maintaining the concealed aesthetic design.
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 lock ensures reliable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing automatic closure with easy push opening, eliminating the need for external components and enhancing the design of furniture in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The lock has elastic means for contrasting the movement of the lever from the locking position to the release position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A lock (1) with automatic closure and push opening, comprising a supporting body (2) which is associated with a lever (3) which supports a detent element (4) which oscillates between a locking position and a release position and with first elastic means (5) for keeping the lever (3) in the locking position, the supporting body (2) being associable with a closure leaf (101) of a compartment of a piece of furniture with the detent element (4) directed toward it. The lock (1) further comprises a coupling assembly (6) which comprises an abutment profile (7) of the detent element (4) in the locking position in order to hinder the opening of the lock, the coupling assembly (6) being associable with one of the walls (102) of the piece of furniture which form the compartment. During closure, the detent element (4) is movable in an insertion direction (I) with respect to the coupling assembly (6) until the abutment profile (7) is passed. The particularity of the invention resides in that the coupling assembly (7) also comprises means (12) for the movement of the detent element (4) toward the release position which are adapted to cooperate with the element during movement in the insertion direction (I) downstream of the abutment profile (7) and means (13) for retaining the detent element (4) in the release position during its movement in an extraction direction (E), which is opposite with respect to the insertion direction (I), relative to the coupling assembly (6) during opening.