Multi-Direction Trigger Sensor for Reliable Furniture Drive Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture drive triggering sensors are only sensitive to movements in a single direction, which can lead to unreliable triggering, especially in wide drawers or doors where manual pressure causes rotation rather than depth movement, which cannot be detected.
Innovation Solution
A triggering sensor that interacts with a stop on the furniture part to detect movements along at least two orthogonal directions, using an actuator formed by articulated arms connected via a rotary joint, which can be coupled with a potentiometer or other encoders to trigger the furniture drive in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-direction trigger sensor is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of triggering is insufficient for wide drawers where rotation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger sensor is extended from detecting only one dimension (depth movement) to detecting two dimensions by adding a second trigger element that senses lateral movement. This dimensional expansion allows the sensor to detect both the primary drawer movement and rotational movements, resolving the reliability issue without requiring complex multi-axis acceleration sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger sensor is divided into multiple independent trigger elements (first trigger element and second trigger element), each responsible for detecting movement in different directions. This segmentation allows each element to remain simple while the combination provides comprehensive detection capability, solving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single trigger element sensitive to one direction is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the functionality is insufficient for detecting multiple movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger sensor is designed with multiple trigger elements that can detect different types of movements (depth movement and lateral movement). This multi-functional design allows a single sensor assembly to handle various movement scenarios including drawer opening, closing, and rotation, providing universal detection capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A trigger sensor (1) for triggering an electric furniture drive (2) depending on a movement of the furniture part (3) to be driven by the furniture drive (2) caused by a user, wherein the trigger sensor (1) comprises at least one actuator (4) which can be moved by the furniture part (3) into an assembly position, wherein the trigger sensor (1) can capture movements of the furniture part (3) along at least two directions (x, y, z) which are orthogonal to each other, wherein the trigger sensor (1) has at least one actuator (4) which captures each of the at least two directions (x, y, z).