Furniture Self-Retraction with Pivoting Arm and Compact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-retracting devices for furniture parts have a longer installation length due to the need for sufficient damping, which reduces the extraction length of the extraction device when integrated into extracting guides, and require a larger piston-cylinder unit to effectively slow down the furniture part during retraction.
Innovation Solution
A self-retracting device with a pivoting arm that couples the carriage to the damping unit, allowing for reduced damping force over the end portion of the retraction path, and a spring lever that adjusts the retraction force, enabling a shorter installation length and complete insertion without hindering the extraction process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a sufficient damping path is provided in conventional piston-cylinder units, then the damping force is sufficient to slow down the extractable furniture part even in the fully laden state, but the installation length of the piston-cylinder unit is enlarged, which increases the overall installation length of the self-retracting device and reduces the extraction length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the linear damping path into a rotational movement path. The arm connected to the piston-cylinder unit rotates about a pivot axis during retraction, allowing the carriage to travel a longer retraction path while the piston only moves linearly over a shorter distance. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction between sufficient damping path and compact installation length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable arm with a pivot axis that can move relative to the carriage and base body, transforming the static linear damping mechanism into a dynamic system. The arm's rotation during retraction allows the damping unit to accommodate a longer retraction path without increasing its linear installation length, enabling the system to adapt its configuration during operation.
2Force
If the retraction spring engages with a lever that can pivot relative to the carriage and base body, then the retraction force is increased in the last portion of the retraction path, but the device complexity increases due to additional pivot axes and slotted links
Solution Approach 1:
The arm serving the damping unit also functions as part of the retraction force transmission mechanism. By integrating the damping arm with the retraction spring lever system, the patent eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced retraction force in the final portion of the retraction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the damping unit's arm with the retraction spring's lever system, combining two functions into a single integrated mechanism. The arm simultaneously provides damping during retraction and transmits enhanced retraction force, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall device 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
The solution reduces the damping force over the end portion of the retraction path, allowing for a shorter damper installation length and ensuring complete insertion of the furniture part while maintaining effective slowing down of the furniture part during retraction, thus optimizing the extraction length and retraction force.
Implementation Method 1
a retraction spring loading the carriage into the basic position
Implementation Method 2
a damping unit for damping the sliding movement of the carriage from the standby position into the basic position
Data Source
AI summary
A self-retracting device for a furniture part which can be extracted from a furniture carcass in an extraction direction by a telescopic drawer slide is provided. The self-retracting device comprises: a carriage slidably supported; a retraction spring loading the carriage into a basic position, the carriage being slidable, by being coupled to a driver; and a damping unit for damping the sliding movement of the carriage from a standby position into a basic position. The carriage is coupled to a movable part of the damping unit by way of an arm which can pivot relative to the carriage about a first pivot axis and relative to the damping unit about a second pivot axis. When the carriage is slidingly moved by the retraction spring over a retraction path, at least in an end portion of the retraction path, the arm is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the extraction direction.