Movement device for drawers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer movement devices often fail to reliably trigger, especially with wide drawer fronts, requiring pressure application at the installation site and necessitating elaborate mechanisms or dual-sided installation, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an additional transverse movement direction for the locking member reduces the switching path required to unlock the locking element, allowing reliable triggering with smaller strokes, even with a single-sided installation, and incorporates a spring-loaded switching lever and deflection bevel to ensure precise switching and prevent unintended relocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure is applied on the right side of the front panel, then the drawer can be opened, but the actuator mounted on the left side may not be triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is given an additional degree of freedom to move not only in the overtravel direction but also transversely to this direction. This transverse movement allows the locking element to be actuated from either side of the drawer front, resolving the issue where pressure applied opposite to the actuator mounting side would fail to trigger the actuator.
2Reliability
If actuators are mounted on both sides of the drawer, then reliable triggering is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By adding transverse movement capability to the locking element, a single actuator mounted on one side can reliably trigger the mechanism regardless of which side the user applies pressure to. This eliminates the need for dual-sided actuator mounting while maintaining reliable triggering.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator is synchronized to both sides of the drawer, then part count is reduced, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires installation on the underside
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element's ability to move transversely allows the actuator to be mounted on the visible side of the drawer rather than on the underside. This simplifies both the mechanism design and the assembly process while maintaining the benefit of using a single actuator.
4Length of moving object
If the switching travel is reduced, then the movement device can be triggered with short strokes, but the locking element may not reliably transition from retracted to offset position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element transitions from the retracted to the offset position through a combination of movement in the overtravel direction and transverse movement. This two-dimensional transition path allows for reduced switching travel while ensuring reliable position change, as the transverse component compensates for the reduced linear travel.
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
This solution enables reliable operation of drawer movement devices across various widths with reduced parts and assembly costs, ensuring consistent functionality and simplified design by allowing the drawer to be opened and closed automatically with integrated energy storage and damping.
Implementation Method 1
Particularly reliable operation is guaranteed if the switching lever is held against the stop by spring tension, and if the tension is reduced or eliminated when the locking element transitions from the retracted position to the offset position.
Implementation Method 2
An energy storage device, such as a pre-tensioned spring, then discharges, transferring the spring force to the drawer.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a movement device for drawers, comprising an extending mechanism. A blocking element can be moved from a retracted position into an open position or a partially open position by means of the extending mechanism, and the extending mechanism is held in the retracted position by means of an overstroke mechanism. The overstroke mechanism has a switching element which is held on a stop by a blocking element in the retracted position and can be lifted from the stop when an overstroke is applied onto the switching element. An improved switching behavior can be achieved in that the blocking element is offset transversely to the overstroke direction when the overstroke is applied.