Pivoting Drawer Device with Linear Guide to Reduce Opening Force

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for moving movable furniture parts, such as swinging drawers, require a significant amount of force to open and close due to their kinematic design, which is inefficient for users.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a pivoting mechanism with a swivel joint and guide rails that allow for easy movement of the furniture part, incorporating a damping element and automatic retraction system, along with an optional electric drive unit and control unit to facilitate effortless operation and secure locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a parallelogram linkage is used to articuate the swinging drawer, then the drawer can swing from closed to open state, but a comparatively large amount of force is required by the user to open and close the drawer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidforce required by user
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide means as an intermediary component between the swinging drawer and the pivoting device. The guide means include guide rails and guide rollers that constrain the movement path of the drawer, enabling it to transition smoothly from horizontal to vertical position without requiring excessive force from the user. This intermediary mechanism mediates the force transmission and directional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic system where the drawer's movement path changes from horizontal (when closed) to vertical (when open) through the combined action of the pivoting device and guide means. The pivoting device allows rotational movement while the guide means dynamically adjust the drawer's orientation during the transition, creating a flexible and adaptive movement system that reduces user effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If guide means are added to enable linear displacement, then ease of movement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoidcomplexity of device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the movement system into distinct functional segments: the pivoting device handles rotational movement, while the guide means (separate from the pivoting device) handle linear guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the user to manipulate a single complex mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation despite the added components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 and quiet operation of movable furniture parts with reduced user effort, allowing for various movement sequences and secure closure, enhancing user convenience and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

the pivoting device has a damping element which is intended to dampen an opening movement of the movable furniture part when the device is mounted on the furniture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The automatic retraction system includes, for example, an energy storage device in the form of a spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3413754B1Device for moving a movable furniture part
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3413754B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3413754B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3413754B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for moving a movable furniture part, in particular in the form of a drawer that is open at the top, wherein the movable furniture part can be movably connected to a furniture body of a piece of furniture by means of the device, and wherein the movable furniture part can be arranged on underside of the furniture body by means of the device, wherein the device is provided for moving the movable furniture part from a closed position on the furniture body into an open position on the furniture body, or vice versa. The device is characterised in that the device comprises a pivot unit, by means of which the movable furniture part can be pivotally secured on the furniture body, and in that the device comprises guide means, by means of which the movable furniture part can be mounted on pivot unit such that it can be linearly shifted.