Motorized Cabinet Insert Layout to Prevent Jamming Under Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cupboards are difficult for disabled individuals, people with restricted mobility, or those of short stature to use effectively due to complex and prone-to-malfunction mechanisms for moving compartments, which often require manual effort and cannot be easily operated in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A cabinet with a mobile insert that can be horizontally pulled out and vertically moved using a motor-driven system, actuated by a remote control, featuring threaded spindles or hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, and equipped with sensors to prevent jamming and ensure smooth operation, allowing for easy access and retrofitting of existing cabinets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex mechanism with racks, gears and toothed belts is used to move the upper part of a tall cupboard, then the cupboard compartments can be moved out and down, but the mechanism becomes very complicated and prone to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex internal mechanism (racks, gears, toothed belts) from the cupboard structure and replaces it with an external motor-driven system. The mobile insert is pulled out horizontally and moved vertically using a motor mounted on the cabinet back, eliminating the need for complicated internal mechanical linkages while maintaining the desired functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical rack-and-gear system with an electromechanical system using a motor (electric or hydraulic/pneumatic) to drive the mobile insert. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and improves reliability by using a single centralized drive instead of multiple interconnected mechanical components.
2Ease of operation
If a spindle motor is mounted on the back of the cabinet to move the upper element horizontally and vertically, then the element can be pulled out and lowered, but the high dead weight plus contents result in a high bending moment on the frame or spindle motor, causing the motor to jam and the frame to tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting position of the motor from the cabinet back to the side wall near the cabinet opening. This dimensional relocation allows the motor to be positioned closer to the mobile insert's center of gravity, reducing the lever arm and bending moment on the frame while maintaining the automated horizontal and vertical movement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the motor and drive mechanism locally on the side wall near the cabinet opening rather than centrally on the back. This localized placement optimizes the mechanical leverage and reduces the bending moment on the frame structure, improving reliability while maintaining the automated movement capability.
3Reliability
If the top cupboard can only be moved vertically downwards when the base cupboard is removed, then the vertical movement is possible, but it becomes very cumbersome for wheelchair users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile insert to be pulled out horizontally to a convenient position before vertical movement is initiated. This preliminary horizontal extraction allows wheelchair users to approach the insert more easily and positions it within reach before the vertical lowering operation begins, making the overall operation less cumbersome while maintaining the vertical movement capability.
4Device complexity
If the drive for the mobile insert is positioned centrally on the back of the cabinet, then the mechanism is compact, but the extended insert creates a high bending moment that causes the motor to jam and frame to tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the drive mechanism from the central back position to the side wall near the cabinet opening. This dimensional relocation optimizes the mechanical leverage by positioning the motor closer to the mobile insert's center of gravity, reducing the bending moment and improving stability under load while maintaining a compact overall structure.
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 easy operation and full utilization of cupboards by disabled individuals, ensuring reliability, simplicity, and long service life, with features like motorized horizontal and vertical movement and sensor-aided safety to prevent malfunctions and obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
At least one threaded spindle for actuating the mobile insert in the vertical direction is provided on a side wall
Implementation Method 2
a threaded spindle or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder can be used for this purpose
Implementation Method 3
a threaded spindle or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder can be used for this purpose
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cupboard with a mobile insert, the insert being able to be pulled out of and pushed into the cupboard horizontally and moved up and down vertically, the insert (2) being moved out and in by means of at least one motor (3, 3a) by remote control is moved in, the insert being firmly connected to at least one carriage (9, 9a) which can be moved up and down along at least one vertical guide rail (13, 13a) by means of at least one threaded spindle (6, 6a) or at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (26, 26a), the threaded spindle or the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder being driven by remote control, and the threaded spindle or the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder being on the left and/or right of the mobile insert (2) on a side cabinet wall (16, 16a) are located near a cabinet opening (19) from which the insert can be extended. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fitting for a cupboard with at least one guide rail and at least one, preferably two, slides that can be moved along the guide rail, with a drawer slide being provided on each slide, which comprises at least two pull-out parts that can be moved relative to one another and extend transversely to the guide rail are movable relative to each other.