Pivoting Drive Spring Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel drives for furniture lack flexible adjustment options for spring forces, leading to inadequate performance with flaps of different widths and weights, due to limited adjustment mechanisms and unfavorable lever ratios.
Innovation Solution
A swivel drive with a rotatable actuating arm connected to a spring assembly, where the spring force is adjustable via a control cam that can be adjusted relative to the axis of rotation, allowing for flexible adjustment of spring forces and lever ratios, and featuring a multi-joint connection for effective force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spring assembly is arranged between the pressure piece and the actuating arm, then a compact design is achieved, but the adjustment options are limited and unfavorable lever ratios occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the cam and axis of rotation on opposite sides of the spring assembly rather than between the spring assembly and actuating arm. This inversion resolves the contradiction by providing adequate adjustment options and favorable lever ratios while maintaining compact overall dimensions through optimized spatial distribution of components
2Device complexity
If the actuating arm is non-rotatably connected to the spring assembly, then a simple structure is achieved, but adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment function from the main actuating mechanism by introducing a separately adjustable cam component. The actuating arm maintains its simple non-rotatable connection to the spring assembly, while the cam can be independently adjusted relative to the axis of rotation, providing adjustment flexibility without complicating the core structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cam is adjusted relative to the axis of rotation, then spring force adjustment is achieved, but the travel of the pressure piece is structurally limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by enabling adjustment in a different dimensional approach - the cam can be adjusted in the effective direction of the spring assembly (radial adjustment) rather than being limited to angular adjustment only. This provides full spring force adjustment capability while maintaining adequate pressure piece travel through the optimized cam profile and positioning
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 precise adjustment of spring forces, improving the operation of flaps by accommodating varying weights and positions, resulting in favorable lever ratios and a simple structure, allowing for smooth opening and closing movements with reduced noise and increased usability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly (33) acting on a pressure piece (34) which can be moved along a control curve (35)
Implementation Method 2
the cam (35) and the axis of rotation for the actuating arm (32) and the spring assembly (33) can be arranged on opposite sides of the spring assembly (33)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 4C~4D
AI summary
A pivot drive (30) for a movable piece of furniture (3, 25, 25') comprises an actuating arm (32), which is mounted such that it can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (31), a spring assembly (33), having at least one spring guided linearly in a working direction, a pressure-exerting component (34, 34'), which is connected to the spring assembly (33) and can be displaced along a control curve (35, 35'), and a housing (21), on or in which the pivot drive is mounted, wherein the actuating arm (32) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spring assembly (33) and can be pivoted therewith about the axis of rotation (31), and it is possible to adjust the control curve (35, 35') relative to the axis of rotation (31), in order to set the spring force of the spring assembly (33), and/or it is possible to adjust the force by which the spring assembly (33) acts on the control curve.