Furniture Pull-Out Latch with Flexure Support Against Overload Breakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for detachable connections of furniture pull-outs in furniture carcasses face material breakage under high loads due to stress peaks during dynamic tests, leading to short service life and frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of support means arranged at a distance from the flexure joint to minimize deformation of the actuating element under heavy loads, ensuring support in all spatial directions through complementary support surfaces, and a wedge-like adjusting member for height adjustment, while maintaining easy release mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the actuating element is made as a one-piece molding of flexible plastic, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the material breaks under high loads during dynamic tests
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is divided into multiple parts: a lever-like actuating element with a flexure joint connecting it to the device housing, and a separate support means arranged at a distance from the flexure joint. This segmentation allows the actuating element to pivot while the support means prevents excessive deformation and material breakage under high loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means acts as an intermediary between the actuating element and the device housing, providing support at a distance from the flexure joint. This intermediary structure prevents direct transmission of high loads to the actuating element's material, reducing stress peaks and preventing breakage during dynamic tests.
2Reliability
If support means are added to prevent material breakage, then the service life is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is designed to provide support in all three spatial directions (X, Y, and Z directions) simultaneously. This multi-functional support structure prevents relative movement between the actuating element and device housing in any direction, maximizing reliability without requiring multiple separate support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means is integrated with the actuating element and device housing as a unified structure. The support means includes support surfaces on both the device housing and actuating element that work together, merging the support function into the existing components rather than adding entirely separate elements.
3Strength
If the actuating element is rigidly fixed to prevent deformation, then strength under load is improved, but the ability to pivot for release mechanism is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is designed with a flexure joint that allows it to pivot dynamically between engaged and disengaged positions. The support means is arranged at a distance from this flexure joint, providing support that prevents excessive deformation during loading while allowing the necessary pivoting motion for the release mechanism to function.
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 device withstands 'opening with overload' tests without material breakage, extending service life and reducing replacement needs, thus lowering costs and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating element (17) which is formed on a device housing (12) via at least one solid-state joint (18)
Implementation Method 2
there are support means (24) arranged at a distance from the flexure joint, with which the actuating element (17) can be supported while preventing a relative movement between itself and the device housing (12)
Implementation Method 3
The actuating element comprises a handle and a latching section with a latching hook which is integrally connected to the handle. By actuating the handle, the actuating element, which is connected to the base section of the shaped piece via a flexure joint, can be pivoted, whereby the latching hook disengages from a complementary latching section on the guide unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
In a device for releasably connecting a furniture pull-out, which is movably guided in a furniture carcass via a guidance unit, to said guidance unit, said device comprising a device housing (12), on which an actuator (17) is formed and is pivotably seated thereon via at least one flexure hinge (18) in such a manner that the connection between the furniture pull-out and the guidance unit can be released when the actuator (17) is actuated, support means (24), with which the actuator (17) can be supported to prevent a relative movement between itself and the device housing (12), are arranged in spaced relation to the flexure hinge (18).