Furniture Drawer Locking Mechanism with Horizontal Pivot
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pull-out locking devices for furniture parts often suffer from reliability issues, noise during operation, and complex assembly due to central locking mechanisms and spring loading, which can lead to malfunctions and limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out locking device with separate locking parts that pivot in conjunction with filling parts, blocking other drawers from being pulled out by interacting with drivers, and allowing for a robust and reliable operation with reduced noise through the elimination or weakening of spring loading on the topmost filling part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring loading is used to press the upper filling part downwards to return locking parts to passive position, then the locking function is reliable, but clear clicking noises occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring element from the locking mechanism. Instead of using spring loading to return the filling part to its initial position, the mechanism relies on the interaction between the driver and the locking part geometry, along with gravity, to achieve the return motion without generating clicking noises.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-returning without external spring force. The filling part automatically returns to its initial position through the mechanical interaction with the driver and gravitational force, eliminating the need for spring loading and the associated noise.
2Reliability
If central locking mechanism is used to prevent top filling part from lifting, then all drawers can be locked simultaneously, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking function into individual locking parts, each associated with a specific filling part and drawer. Instead of a single central locking mechanism, each drawer has its own locking part that can be independently actuated, simplifying the overall structure and assembly while maintaining the ability to lock multiple drawers simultaneously through their respective locking parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Each locking part is designed to perform multiple functions: it locks the associated drawer, interacts with the filling part to prevent drawer pull-out, and can be independently controlled. This universal design eliminates the need for a complex central locking mechanism while achieving the same functional result.
3Reliability
If locking parts are mounted to pivot about vertical axes with push rods, then the locking mechanism can block multiple drawers, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having locking parts pivot about vertical axes with push rods acting upwards, the patent inverts the mechanism: locking parts pivot about horizontal axes, and the filling parts themselves move vertically to achieve the blocking function. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by eliminating push rods and complex vertical actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the locking part and filling part into a more integrated system. The locking part is directly associated with its corresponding filling part, and their movements are coupled through the pivot mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate push rods and complex interactions between multiple independent components.
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 provides a reliable and quiet operation, capable of withstanding high pull-out forces, and allows for flexible central locking system integration, simplifying assembly and operation by eliminating the need for complex spring mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the pull-out furniture parts being assigned one of the filling parts, which is rotatably mounted by the vertical guide rail about an imaginary horizontal axis and in this case between a first rotational position, which it assumes in the closed state of the associated extendable furniture part, and a second rotational position, which it assumes in the extended state of the associated extendable furniture part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device for blocking the pull-out movement of at least two pull-out furniture parts (1) which can be pulled out of a furniture body (3) in a pull-out direction (4) comprises, for each of the pull-out furniture parts (1), a driver (5), a body-fixed vertical guide rail (6) by which filling parts (7, 7') are mounted so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, wherein each of the pull-out furniture parts (1) is assigned a filling part (7) which is mounted by the vertical guide rail (6) so that it can rotate about an imaginary horizontal axis (10), and furthermore, for each of the pull-out furniture parts (1), a locking part (11) which interacts with the driver (5) associated with said pull-out furniture part (1) and is adjusted by said driver (5) from a locking position to a release position when the pull-out furniture part (1) is pulled out and from the release position to the locking position when the pull-out furniture part (1) is pushed in, and which is coupled to the filling part (7) belonging to said pull-out furniture part (1).