Magnetic Locking Device with Damping Accumulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic locking devices for furniture parts suffer from rebound movement issues when slammed shut forcefully, leading to potential tearing, and noise generation due to undefined zero positions and movement of locking device parts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second energy accumulator acting in the closing direction of the movable furniture part to dampen rebound movements and reduce noise by guiding the furniture part into a defined closed position using a magnetic locking device with a first part mounted on the furniture body that can move, supported by a force accumulator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the first part of the magnetic locking device is made movable to allow the furniture part to be slammed shut, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to rebound movement causing potential tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second force accumulator is pre-loaded to exert a counteracting force on the first part of the magnetic locking device in the closing direction. This preliminary anti-action prevents the rebound movement that would otherwise occur when the furniture part is slammed shut, thereby maintaining reliability while allowing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The force characteristics of the second force accumulator are specifically designed to change during operation. When the furniture part moves toward the closed position, the second force accumulator exerts a dampening force that increases with the speed of closure, automatically adjusting to prevent rebound while allowing normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the first part of the magnetic locking device is made movable to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to noise generation from undefined zero position movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second force accumulator acts as an intermediary element between the first part of the magnetic locking device and the housing. It provides a controlled interaction that guides the first part to a defined zero position, eliminating unwanted movements and the associated noise while preserving the movable design for ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents rebound tearing and reduces noise by ensuring the furniture part is guided into a defined closed position, enhancing structural simplicity and reducing unwanted noise during operation.

Implementation Method 1

the first part (5) of the magnetic locking device (1) assigned to the furniture body (4) is acted upon by a second force accumulator (8) acting in the closing direction SR of the movable furniture part (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy accumulation and damping: Spring

Implementation Method 2

which exert a magnetic attraction force on one another at least in the closed position of the movable furniture part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP1991750B1Magnetic locking device
Publication Date: 2010.12.29 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP1991750B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP1991750B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP1991750B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2f

AI summary

Disclosed is a magnetic locking device (1) for a furniture part (2) that is movably mounted on a piece of furniture (3). The inventive locking device (1) comprises at least two pieces (5, 6), a first one (5) of which is or can be disposed on the furniture carcass (4) while the other one (6) is or can be arranged on the movable furniture part (2). Said at least two pieces (5, 6) apply a magnetic force of attraction to each other at least in the closed position (E) of the movable furniture part (2). The first piece (5) of the locking device (1), which is disposed on the furniture carcass (4), is mounted particularly in a separate housing so as to be movable in the direction of the movable furniture part (2). Furthermore, the first piece (5) of the magnetic locking device, which is assigned to the furniture carcass (4), is impinged upon by an energy store (8) that acts in the closing direction (SR) of the movable furniture part (2).