Multi-Surface Stop Element for Adjustable Furniture Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture fittings require either expensive replacement of end stops or time-consuming adjustments using screws to change the open position of movable furniture parts, necessitating costly and labor-intensive processes to set specific open positions.

Innovation Solution

A furniture fitting with a stop element featuring multiple stop surfaces that can be adjusted using a pivot bearing and latching mechanism, allowing for quick repositioning and secure fixation of the stop element to specify different open positions without the need for replacement, integrated with a support arm arrangement and power drive for enhanced rigidity and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If end stops are replaced to change open position, then different open positions can be specified, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopen position specificationVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element is designed with multiple stop surfaces that can each specify different open positions. This multi-functional design allows a single stop element to replace multiple individual end stops, enabling different open positions to be selected without replacement operations, thereby reducing cost while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The stop element is made pivotable about a pivot bearing, allowing it to be rotated between different stop positions. This dynamic capability enables the stop element to access multiple stop surfaces sequentially, providing position variability without requiring multiple separate components, thus reducing cost while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjusting screw is used to change open position, then different opening positions can be specified, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopen position specificationVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element is designed to be pivotable rather than requiring incremental screw adjustments. This allows for quicker repositioning by simply rotating the stop element to the desired stop position, significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining the ability to specify different open positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stop element features discrete stop surfaces at different positions rather than continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows for quick selection of predetermined positions without the need for time-consuming incremental adjustments, reducing adjustment time while maintaining adaptability for different open positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If stop element is made pivotable with multiple stop surfaces, then cost and adjustment time are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition specification efficiencyVSAvoidstop element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single stop element incorporates multiple stop surfaces, making it a multi-functional component that can specify different open positions. This consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate end stops into one component, reducing overall device complexity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple stop surfaces are integrated into a single stop element structure rather than using separate components. This merging of functions into one component simplifies the overall device architecture, reducing complexity while enabling efficient position specification through pivoting to select different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simple, cost-effective specification of various open positions for movable furniture parts, reducing the need for frequent replacements and adjustments, while ensuring precise positioning and increased rigidity through the use of a stop element with multiple stop surfaces and a lever mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a pivot bearing, via which the stop element is mounted on a fitting part of the fitting so that it can pivot between the different stop positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

holding means are provided, via which the stop element is held in a fixed position in its set stop position. The holding means are expediently designed as latching means, the set stop position being held by latching a latching element with a latching opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

A power drive that can be arranged on the furniture body is expediently provided, which is connected via a lever mechanism made up of several gear levers to the support arm arrangement for introducing a force in the closing direction and after a dead center has been exceeded for introducing a force in the opening direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever mechanism: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2607590B1Furniture fitting for a mobile furniture item
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 GRASS GMBH
  • EP2607590B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2607590B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2607590B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a furniture fitting for a movable furniture part, in particular for driving a furniture flap (13), a door or a drawer, with a stop device (44) which has at least one stop element (45) which cooperates with a counter-stop (46) arranged on a furniture body (12) or on a fitting part of the furniture fitting (11) to specify a certain open position of the movable furniture part, the stop element (45) has several stop surfaces (47a, 47b, 47c) which can be used to specify different open positions.