Furniture Suspension Hook With Auto-Locking Securing Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension devices for hanging furniture on walls require complex adjustments and additional material for secure attachment, limiting ease of use and flexibility, especially when detaching or repositioning furniture.

Innovation Solution

A suspension device with a pivoting support element and a deflectable securing element that automatically locks into place upon reaching the suspended position, utilizing energy accumulation or gravity for secure attachment and allowing for easy detachment without tilting, and adjustable for various furniture configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If projections are arranged on the support element to prevent unintentional detachment, then security against detachment is improved, but the device complexity and material requirements increase due to the need for additional protruding lower fold on the counter bearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unintentional detachmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is extracted from the support element and implemented as a separate, deflectable component that can be engaged by the counter bearing. This separation allows the securing mechanism to be more flexible and less complex, as the securing element can deflect during assembly and then lock into position without requiring complex interlocking geometries between the support element and counter bearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element changes its spatial configuration through deflection - it transitions from a retracted position during assembly to an engaged position that prevents detachment. This parameter change (position/orientation of the securing element) provides the security function without requiring additional permanent structural features on either the support element or counter bearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If projections are arranged at sufficient distance from the hook part to reach under the protruding lower fold, then security against detachment is improved, but the assembly time increases due to the need to pivot the furniture body against the wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unintentional detachmentVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is pre-positioned on the support element in a retracted or accessible position before assembly. During the assembly process, it automatically engages with the counter bearing as the support element is pivoted into place, eliminating the need for separate securing actions or complex manual manipulation of projections and folds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The securing element automatically engages with the counter bearing through its deflectable nature and proper positioning. As the support element is installed, the securing element passively locks into position without requiring active manipulation by the installer, thereby reducing assembly time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the support element is pivoted to the parked position away from the wall, then accessibility is improved, but security against detachment is lost since the projections no longer reach under the protruding lower fold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility in parked positionVSAvoidsecurity against detachment in parked position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element is designed to be deflectable and dynamically positioned relative to the support element. This allows it to maintain engagement with the counter bearing across different positions of the support element, including the parked position away from the wall. The securing element can flex or adjust its position to continue providing security while the furniture is in various configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If a protruding lower fold is added to the counter bearing for the projections to engage under, then security against detachment is improved, but the material costs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against detachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The security function is extracted from the counter bearing structure and implemented through a separate securing element on the support element. This eliminates the need for the counter bearing to have complex protruding lower folds or specialized geometries, allowing the counter bearing to remain a simple, easily manufactured component while the securing element provides the necessary security function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 secure and easy hanging of furniture without the need for complex adjustments, allows for secure attachment even when partially deployed, and facilitates easy detachment without tilting, reducing assembly time and material costs while accommodating different furniture types and positions.

Implementation Method 1

a securing element (120) which is arranged on the support element (101) to prevent an unintentional detachment of the support element (101) from the counter bearing (7), wherein the securing element (120) is deflectably arranged on the support element (101)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The return pivoting force can be introduced by an energy accumulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy accumulation: Accumulator (energy)

Implementation Method 3

or by the effect of gravity on the movably mounted securing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

or also possible to design the securing element (120) as a leaf spring element, so that the pivoting back takes place solely through the return bending of the leaf spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP3111802B1Suspension device for a piece of furniture and method for disengaging a suspension device
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 HETTICH HEINZE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3111802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3111802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3111802B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A suspension device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) for a piece of furniture (4), in particular a hanging piece of hanging furniture, on a counter bearing (7) that can be fixed on a wall (6), has a piece of furniture (41, 42) fixable housing (1), a supporting element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) arranged on the housing (1) so as to be pivotable out of a plane parallel to a base area (11) of the housing (1) , wherein the support element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) has a hook part (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702) which can be hung on the counter bearing (7), a the support element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) arranged securing element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 630, 720) to prevent an unintentional release of the support element (101, 201, 301, 401), 501, 601, 701) from the counter bearing (7), the securing element (120, 220, 320, 420) being arranged on the supporting element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) so that it can be deflected and positioned in such a way that the safe ing element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 630, 720) when hanging the hook part (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702) on the counter bearing (7) before reaching a suspended end position of the support element ( 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) can be engaged relative to the counter-bearing (7) by the counter-bearing (7) against a return pivoting force and when the end position of the support element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) into a locking position that secures the support element (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701) against unhooking. Furthermore, the use of such a suspension device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) for hanging a piece of furniture (4) so ​​that it cannot be unhinged and a method for detaching a suspension device (100, 200, 300, 400) from a counter bearing are described .