Self-retracting and damping device for a drawer element, and piece of furniture or domestic appliance having at least one drawer element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-retracting and damping devices for drawer elements in furniture and domestic appliances fail to provide the greatest possible retraction forces at the end of the displacement path, leading to unsafe retraction into fully retracted or extended positions, requiring additional mechanisms to maintain stability.

Innovation Solution

A self-retracting and damping device with a first driver coupled to an energy storage unit and a second driver coupled to a damping element, where the energy storage unit and damping element act together in the first section of the retraction movement, and only the energy storage unit acts in the second section, decoupling the damping element to achieve safer retraction by reducing friction and preventing static friction interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the damping element acts over the entire displacement path, then the retraction movement is well-damped, but the retraction forces are insufficient at the end position causing unsafe retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe retraction into end positionVSAvoidretraction force at end position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement path is divided into two sections: a first section where both the energy storage unit and damping element act together, and a second section where only the energy storage unit acts. This segmentation allows the damping element to provide sufficient damping during the initial retraction while the energy storage unit builds up maximum retraction force for the final positioning, resolving the contradiction between safe retraction and sufficient end-position force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the damping element provides continuous damping, then the movement is controlled, but static friction may interrupt the retraction movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled retraction movementVSAvoidcontinuous retraction movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element operates periodically rather than continuously - it acts during the first section of the displacement path and is decoupled during the second section. This periodic operation maintains controlled movement when needed while eliminating static friction interference during the final retraction phase, ensuring reliable continuous movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If additional mechanisms are added to maintain stability at end position, then retraction safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability at end positionVSAvoidnumber of mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage unit serves multiple functions: it provides self-retracting force during the first section of movement and provides maximum retraction force during the second section. The damping element similarly serves dual purposes by damping the initial retraction movement and then being decoupled to prevent static friction. This multi-functionality achieves stable end-position retraction without requiring additional dedicated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution ensures a damped retraction movement into the end position with increased retraction forces, maintaining stability and preventing the drawer element from getting stuck due to reduced damping in the second section, allowing for safe and secure retraction into fully retracted or extended positions.

Implementation Method 1

a first driver (12), which is coupled to an energy storage unit (13)... the energy storage unit acts on the external activator (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a second driver (17), which is coupled to a damping element (18)... the damping element acts on the external activator (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10758043B2Self-retracting and damping device for a drawer element, and piece of furniture or domestic appliance having at least one drawer element

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A self-retracting and damping device for a drawer element, having a first driver, which has a first driver fork for the engagement of an external activator and is guided in a displaceable manner in a first guide curve, and having a second driver, which is guided in a displaceable manner in a second guide curve. One of the drivers is coupled to a damping element and the other driver is coupled to an energy store. The two drivers are coupled to one another in part. The first driver is coupled to the energy store and the second driver is coupled to the damping element. In a first part of a retracting movement, the energy store and the damping element act on the external activator and, in a second part of the retracting movement, only the energy store acts on the external activator.