Inset Drawer Stop Adjustment With Resilient Wedge Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Furniture with inset drawers faces challenges in defining the end point of the closing movement due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly deviations, leading to inconsistent front images and lack of a suitable stop point on the front side or body.

Innovation Solution

A device with a resiliently deflectable stop part and a wedge gear arrangement allows for precise adjustment of the stop position, enabling easy and precise setting of the stop position during closure, even in space-constrained areas, using a compact and reliable mechanism that can be connected to either the furniture part or the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an adjustable stop is provided to define the end point of the closing movement, then the stop position can be determined, but the device becomes more complex and requires additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop position determinationVSAvoidadjustment unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stop part and the adjustment unit into a single integrated component. The stop part is formed as one piece with the adjustment unit, eliminating the need for separate stop components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise stop position determination capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stop part is designed to be resiliently deflectable, allowing it to dynamically adapt during the closing movement. The stop part can be pressed against the furniture part during closure and then resiliently returns to its original position, providing automatic adjustment without complex mechanical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the stop part is made resiliently deflectable to enable easy adjustment, then the adjustment ease is improved, but the reliability of the stop position may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop position adjustmentVSAvoidstop position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment unit is pre-configured with a wedge gear arrangement that automatically locks the stop part in its adjusted position. When the stop part is deflected during adjustment, the wedge gear mechanism engages to prevent backward movement, ensuring the adjusted position is maintained reliably without requiring additional locking components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge gear arrangement acts as an intermediary between the resilient stop part and the adjustment unit body. It translates the linear deflection movement of the stop part into a rotational movement of the adjustment element, providing both ease of adjustment and reliable position maintenance through its self-locking geometric mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a wedge gear arrangement is used to convert rotational movement to adjustment movement, then the device becomes more compact and reliable, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidwedge gear fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge gear arrangement is integrated directly into the one-piece adjustment unit structure. The wedge gear features are formed as integral parts of the molded plastic component, eliminating the need for separate gear components and simplifying manufacturing through single-shot molding or similar processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge gear arrangement utilizes the elastic deformation characteristics of the resilient stop part to enable adjustment. By changing the material parameters of the stop part to be resilient, the system achieves compactness and reliability without requiring complex mechanical gear assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise and easy adjustment of the stop position for furniture parts, ensuring a flush countersinking and maintaining alignment with millimeter precision, enhancing the optical appearance and functionality of furniture with inset drawers.

Implementation Method 1

a wedge gear arrangement is provided, via which the rotational movement of the operating element can be converted into an adjustment movement of the actuating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge gear mechanism: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

an adjustment unit which has an adjustable stop and which executes a closing movement of the furniture part limited, wherein the adjustment unit comprises a stop part that can be deflected resiliently from an initial position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2516779B1Piece of furniture and device for a piece of furniture
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 GRASS GMBH
  • EP2516779B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2516779B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2516779B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for a piece of furniture, which comprises a furniture part movably accommodated on a body, for establishing a stop position of the furniture part, comprising an adjustment unit (2), which has an adjustable stop and which bounds a closing motion of the furniture part that can be performed in regular operation. According to the invention, the adjustment unit (2) comprises a stop part that can be resiliently deflected from a starting position, wherein the stop position is determined by the extent of a deflection in a fixed deflection position of the stop part.