Retardation Device Multi-Part Driver Self-Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deceleration devices used in furniture, such as drawers and sliding doors, often produce noise and have a limited service life due to damage from the mechanical stress of the cylinder-piston unit, driving element, and guideway components.

Innovation Solution

A deceleration device design featuring a stop pin pivotably mounted in the carriage, with a guide pin inserted into a second guide track and a wedge-shaped receptacle that limits the pivot angle of the pull pin, allowing the device to be self-locking in the parking position, preventing longitudinal displacement and reducing noise through controlled force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the deceleration device uses a conventional driving element without self-locking mechanism, then the device structure is simpler, but impact noises occur and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddriving element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving element is divided into multiple components: carriage, draw pin, stop pin, and wedge-shaped receptacle. Each component performs a specific function - the draw pin provides pivoting motion, the stop pin controls release, and the wedge-shaped receptacle provides self-locking. This segmentation allows the system to achieve self-locking and noise reduction while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The draw pin acts as an intermediary element between the carriage and the guide track. It transfers and controls the force transmission, enabling smooth transition between locked and released states. The stop pin serves as another intermediary that mediates the release mechanism by acting on the draw pin to initiate controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the guide pin moves freely in the guideway without angle limitation, then the pivoting range is greater, but mechanical stress increases and damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent durabilityVSAvoidpivoting angle range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge-shaped receptacle provides localized constraint at specific positions in the guide track. It limits the pivoting angle to an optimal range (greater than 90 degrees but less than 110 degrees) while allowing sufficient motion for normal operation. This local quality control prevents excessive stress on components while maintaining adequate pivoting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the spring energy store is strongly loaded to provide sufficient deceleration force, then the deceleration effect is better, but impact forces increase and noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration forceVSAvoidimpact noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The self-locking mechanism with wedge-shaped receptacle provides beforehand cushioning by preventing sudden releases. The controlled release through the stop pin and draw pin mechanism ensures that spring energy is discharged gradually rather than suddenly, cushioning against impact forces and noise while maintaining effective deceleration force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 results in a low-noise deceleration device with a longer service life by preventing impact noises and minimizing mechanical stress on components, ensuring smooth operation and extended durability.

Implementation Method 1

a repeatedly loaded and unloaded spring energy store, wherein the spring energy store is charged when the carrier element is in the parking position and is discharged to a residual energy value when the carrier element is in the end position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the sliding and pivot pins are inserted in a first guide track oriented in a longitudinal direction of the deceleration device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Guided Rotor Compressor

Implementation Method 3

The housing or the slide has a wedge-shaped mount that limits the pivoting angle range of the pull pin in the parked position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Implementation Method 4

a cylinder-piston unit mounted in the housing, comprising a cylinder and a piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3864246B1Retardation device having a multi-part driver element
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 ZIMMER MARTIN
  • EP3864246B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3864246B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3864246B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a retardation device having a housing having a cylinder-piston unit and having a driver element which is mounted such that the driver element can be displaced from a non-positively and/or positively secured parking position into an end position, wherein the retardation device comprises a carriage and a traction pin pivotably mounted thereon in a pivot joint, wherein the traction pin is rigidly connected to at least one guide pin guided in the housing, movable parallel to the carriage, at least in a stroke section adjacent to the end position, and to a combined acceleration and retardation device having such a retardation device and having a spring energy accumulator that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, wherein the spring energy accumulator is charged when the driver element is located in the park position and is discharged to a residual energy value when the driver element is located in the end position, and wherein the spring energy accumulator loads the drive element in the direction of the cylinder-piston unit. A stop pin is pivotably mounted in the carriage. By means of the invention, a low-noise retardation unit having a long service life has been developed.