Push Latch with Non-Coaxial Spring and Damper to Reduce Lateral Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push latches for furniture components are often oversized, causing space encroachment and can operate violently, especially in shorter doors, due to lateral forces and friction issues, which affect the smooth opening and closing of drawers and doors.
Innovation Solution
A movement control device with a non-coaxial spring and damping device arrangement, where the damping device is directly engaged with the push rod throughout its travel, and the spring is mounted to one side of the push rod, allowing for a reduced device size and controlled damping force, ensuring a smooth and constant opening force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the damping device is arranged coaxially with the push rod, then the device structure is simplified and alignment is improved, but the device length increases and encroaches on storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is arranged offset from the coaxial alignment with the push rod, transitioning from a one-dimensional coaxial arrangement to a two-dimensional offset arrangement. This allows the damping device to act on the push rod through its extent of travel while reducing the overall device length in the axial direction, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and compact dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the spring and damping device are both arranged on the same side of the push rod, then the device size is reduced, but the damping force may not be evenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is positioned at a specific offset location rather than being uniformly distributed, creating a localized damping action point. This localized arrangement, combined with the indexing mechanism, ensures that damping force is applied effectively throughout the push rod's travel while maintaining compact device dimensions, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and force distribution stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the push rod provides a larger opening angle for shorter doors, then the door can open properly, but lateral forces increase causing friction and affecting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the push rod and the door, controlling and guiding the push rod's movement through defined positions. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the push rod moves smoothly through its travel range, reducing lateral forces and friction while maintaining the necessary opening angle adaptability for different door lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device provides dynamic resistance that adapts to the push rod's movement throughout its travel. By being offset from coaxial alignment, the damping device can effectively counteract lateral forces during the push rod's angular movement, reducing friction and improving operation smoothness while maintaining the required opening angle for shorter doors.
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 provides a compact and robust push latch that maintains a consistent opening force, reducing the risk of violent initial openings and extending the device's lifespan by minimizing friction and stress on the indexing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged between the housing and the push rod to provide a biassing force on the push rod
Implementation Method 2
a damping device arranged between the housing and the push rod to provide a damped resistive force in a direction opposite to said first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A movement control device comprising a housing with an elongate push rod mounted therein for reciprocal movement along a longitudinal axis between first and second positions, wherein the push rod extends out of said housing in both the first and second positions. A spring comprising a primary axis operable to provide a biasing force on the push rod is further provided in the housing. A damping device comprising a primary axis is located in the housing, wherein the damping device is in continuous engagement with the push rod through its reciprocating movement. The primary axis of the spring and the primary axis of the damping device are not coaxial.