Rotary Handle Unit With Fluid Damping and Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary units for handles in equipment and furniture lack effective damping and reliable spring-based return mechanisms, leading to unsatisfactory performance in terms of movement control and durability.
Innovation Solution
A rotary unit comprising a housing, a shaft, a slider, and a compression spring, where the slider is longitudinally movable and non-rotatable, with a guide link engaging a guide pin, and channels for damping fluid to dampen movement, allowing for controlled rotary movement and automatic return to the starting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary unit with spring-based return mechanism is used, then the handle can automatically return to its original position, but the movement control and durability are unsatisfactory without effective damping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping mechanism using fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) within the rotary unit. The fluid resistance provides controlled damping force that regulates the handle's movement speed and smoothness, enabling precise movement control while maintaining the spring-based automatic return function, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic damping mechanism where the damping force adjusts based on the movement state of the handle. The fluid-based damping system provides variable resistance that adapts to different positions and velocities of rotation, ensuring smooth and controlled movement throughout the entire range of motion while maintaining durable automatic return capability.
2Ease of operation
If damping channels are added to the slider and housing, then movement damping is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the damping channels directly into the existing slider and housing components rather than adding separate damping mechanisms. The housing serves dual purposes as both structural enclosure and damping chamber, while the slider acts as both the moving connection element and the component containing damping channels. This merging approach provides effective movement damping without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and slider are designed to perform multiple functions: structural support, movement guidance, and fluid damping. By incorporating damping channels into these existing components, the patent achieves multi-functionality where the same parts provide both mechanical support and controlled damping, thereby avoiding additional complexity while improving movement control.
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 stable and durable mechanism for handles that generates a restoring spring force while damping rotary movements, ensuring smooth operation and reliable return to the original position, enhancing the functionality and longevity of handles in devices like electric stoves.
Implementation Method 1
The slider is loaded by a spring, preferably a compression spring... After performing a rotary movement, the rotary unit is rotated back to the starting position by the spring force
Implementation Method 2
During an axial movement of the slide, the damping fluid flows through the channel or channels, as a result of which its movement is damped
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating unit for a moving part of a piece of equipment or furniture comprises a housing (1), a shaft (2) and a slide (3). In order to improve such a rotary unit, the shaft (2) is rotatably mounted in the housing (1). The slide (3) is mounted in the housing (1) so that it can be moved longitudinally and is non-rotatable. It is loaded by a spring (4). The slide (3) has a guide link (10) into which a guide pin (8) of the shaft (2) engages