Axially Displaceable Latching Fitting for Compact Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detent fittings for adjusting furniture parts are bulky and lack flexibility in adjustment angle design, limiting their application in various furniture components.
Innovation Solution
A compact detent fitting with a ring-shaped toothed ring that can be displaced parallel to the axis of rotation, allowing for adjustable angular positions through a coupling element with a profiled outer circumference and projections, enabling non-rotatable connections and flexible adjustment angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional detent mechanism with articulated arms and disk-shaped toothed ring elements is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the structure becomes relatively bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a first lever with toothing, a second lever with coupling element, and a ring gear. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall structure size while maintaining locking reliability through precise engagement of the separated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring gear is designed to be displaceable in the axial direction (third dimension) relative to the toothing, rather than only rotating in the plane. This axial displacement capability allows the ring gear to be raised to disengage the toothing and lowered to engage it, enabling a more compact design that eliminates the need for bulky lifting discs and helical springs used in conventional mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the toothed ring is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the adjustment angle cannot be flexibly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear is designed as a dynamic component that can be displaced axially relative to the toothing. This dynamic positioning capability allows the angular range of the detent mechanism to be adjusted by changing the axial position of the ring gear, enabling flexible adaptation to different adjustment angle requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is prestressed in the axial direction by a spring, which preliminarily positions the ring gear in engagement with the toothing. This preliminary action ensures reliable locking while allowing the ring gear to be displaced axially when needed to adjust the angular range, providing both simplicity and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the ring gear is raised axially to disengage the toothing, then unlocking is achieved, but additional bulky components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking function is merged into the existing axial displacement capability of the ring gear. The same axial movement that is used to adjust the angular range is also used to disengage the toothing for unlocking. This merging eliminates the need for separate lifting discs and helical springs, achieving easy operation with a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring gear serves dual functions: it transmits rotational motion through the toothing and provides the unlocking mechanism through its own axial displacement. The coupling element's axial movement automatically raises the ring gear to disengage the toothing, allowing the component to service itself without requiring additional dedicated unlocking components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional detent mechanisms are used, then basic locking is achieved, but flexible adaptation to different furniture applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is designed as a universal system where the ring gear can be displaced axially to adjust the angular range, making it adaptable to different furniture applications such as backrests, armrests, and footrests. The coupling element with multiple projections and corresponding receptacles allows for easy adjustment of the angular position, providing multi-functionality without significantly increasing mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular range and adjustment angle parameters can be changed by displacing the ring gear axially and repositioning the coupling element. This parameter adjustability allows the same basic mechanism to be adapted to different furniture applications with varying angular requirements, providing flexibility without requiring completely different mechanisms for each application.
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 compact and flexible adjustment mechanism for furniture parts, allowing for easy adaptation to different applications such as backrests, armrests, and footrests, while minimizing noise impact through controlled ring gear movement.
Implementation Method 1
The ring gear (8) is prestressed towards the toothing (5) by a leaf spring (9) arranged between the second lever (3) and the ring gear (8)
Implementation Method 2
The locking disk (6) can be arranged between the coupling element (7) and the toothing (5) and distributed on the outer circumference several ramps, in particular three or four ramps
Implementation Method 3
The toothed rim (8) can have at least one projection, preferably three or four projections, on its inner front edge, which can be moved along a run-on bevel of the locking disk (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A latching fitting (1), in particular for adjusting furniture parts, comprises a first lever (2, 2', 2'') and a second lever (3) which is mounted on said first lever in a rotatable manner, wherein a tooth system (5) which is arranged in the form of a ring around a rotation axis is arranged on the first lever (2, 2', 2''), said tooth system engaging with a toothed ring (8), wherein the tooth system (5) and the toothed ring (8) are locked to one another in a first direction of rotation and can be rotated relative to one another through a predetermined angular range in a second direction of rotation, wherein the toothed ring (8) is in the form of a ring and can be displaced parallel to the rotation axis, relative to a coupling element (7) which is arranged in the toothed ring (8), by means of a switching element (6).