Self-retracting device with deflected spring energy accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-closing devices require significant installation space and have complex assembly processes, limiting their compactness and ease of integration into furniture systems.
Innovation Solution
The self-closing device employs a deflection pulley supported by external bearing journals, with a first spring energy store wrapping around the pulley and a second spring energy store loading the carriage, allowing for reduced space usage and simplified assembly by utilizing rolling contact zones and tangential plane intersections to secure the pulley's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional self-retracting device configurations are used, then the device provides reliable self-closing function, but the installation space required is large and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing journals with the slide body, integrating two previously separate components into one. The bearing journals are directly mounted on the slide, eliminating the need for separate bearing housings or mounting structures, thereby reducing installation space and simplifying assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves multiple functions: it guides the deflecting disc, supports the bearing journals, and provides the mounting structure for the entire mechanism. By making the slide multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thus decreasing installation space and assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for supporting the deflecting disc, then the device provides stable support, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing journals are integrated directly into the slide body, combining the support function with the guiding function. This merger maintains stable support for the deflecting disc while significantly simplifying the assembly process, as fewer separate components need to be manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing journals are designed as separate, standardized components that can be independently manufactured and then easily mounted on the slide. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts while maintaining reliable support functionality when assembled.
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 configuration reduces the overall space required for the device and simplifies the assembly process, enabling more compact and efficient integration into furniture systems while maintaining reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring energy storage device (61) connecting the drive element and the housing
Implementation Method 2
at least one second spring energy storage device (101), both of which are charged when the drive element is in the parking position and discharged to a residual energy value when the drive element is in the end position
Implementation Method 3
The deflection disc of the self-retracting device is supported longitudinally and vertically by several rolling contact zones
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-retracting device (10) comprising a driving element (41), which can be moved back and forth in a housing (21) between a parked position (11) that is secured in a force- and/or form-fitting manner and an end position (12), and a first spring energy accumulator (61) and at least one second spring energy accumulator (101), both of which are loaded when the driving element (41) is in the parked position (11) and which are unloaded to a residual energy value when the driving element (41) is in the end position (12). The first spring energy accumulator (61) is guided about a deflection pulley (71) which is rotatably mounted relative to a slide, and the slide (81) is loaded relative to the housing (21) in the direction of the first spring energy accumulator (61), which loops the deflection pulley (71), by means of the second spring energy accumulator (101), wherein the deflection pulley (71) has a circulating guide groove (77). The deflection pulley (71) is supported on the slide (81) by means of two outer bearing journals (91) rotatably mounted in the slide. At least one plane tangential to the lateral surface of the deflection pulley (71) intersects both bearing journals (91). By virtue of the invention, the installation space of a self-retracting device is reduced and the assembly thereof is simplified.