Furniture Push-Open Mechanism With Separate Locking and Slide-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for opening and closing movable furniture parts, such as drawers and doors, require a large triggering distance and cannot be easily released or locked from any desired pressure point, leading to uncomfortable high forces needed for operation and inefficient energy storage.
Innovation Solution
A device with separate locking and slide-out elements allows for manual actuation and opening/closing at any point on the furniture part with low pressure, using a cylinder and piston rod for energy storage, enabling a large opening path with adjustable energy strength and flexible attachment options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated locking mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but the triggering distance is large and the operation force is high
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate functional elements: a locking element and a slide-out element. The locking element remains stationary to hold the furniture part, while the slide-out element is activated by a short triggering distance to initiate opening movement. This segmentation allows the locking function and the opening initiation function to be performed by different components with optimized characteristics for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide-out element is extracted as a separate component from the locking mechanism. This slide-out element can be positioned at an optimal location on the furniture part and activated with minimal triggering distance, while the locking element remains integrated in the original mechanism. This extraction allows optimization of the triggering characteristics without compromising the locking function.
2Speed
If potential energy is converted to kinetic energy over a short acceleration distance, then the opening speed is high, but the recharging force required is uncomfortably high
Solution Approach 1:
The energy conversion process is segmented into two phases: first, the spring stores potential energy during a long recharging distance with comfortable force; second, the slide-out element converts this energy to kinetic energy over a short acceleration distance to achieve high opening speed. The segmentation allows optimization of both the recharging comfort and the opening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide-out element acts as an intermediary between the energy storage spring and the furniture part. It receives the stored potential energy and transfers it to the furniture part as kinetic energy over a short distance, achieving high opening speed without requiring the user to apply high recharging force directly to the furniture part.
3Ease of operation
If the locking element and slide-out element are separate, then the triggering distance is reduced and operation is easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide-out element is merged with existing components of the furniture part, such as the front panel or edge, rather than being a completely separate component. This integration approach reduces the visible complexity and space requirements while maintaining the functional benefits of the separate locking and slide-out elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide-out element is designed to be compatible with various furniture part types and dimensions, allowing the same basic mechanism to be used across different applications. This universality reduces the overall system complexity by avoiding the need for completely custom-designed mechanisms for each furniture part.
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
This solution reduces the space required for operation, allows for easy adaptation to various furniture sizes, and provides a comfortable and efficient opening and closing mechanism with adjustable force and path length.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged in the cylinder, acting on the piston rod
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A locking unit (4) has at least one locking element (6) and at least one push-out element that is separated from the locking element through which a movable furniture component e.g. drawer (1), door, leaf is locked and released and pressed in by a specified distance and then extended.