Furniture Shutter Fitting Anti-Twist Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of furniture flaps in cabinets is complicated due to unstable pivoting actuating arms that can slide off, causing difficulties and potential injuries during installation, especially when high forces are applied to balance the flap's weight.

Innovation Solution

An anti-twist device with a locking part that engages a recess on a bearing bolt or deflection part, allowing the actuating arm to be fixed in its fully open position, preventing sliding and providing a secure assembly process, while also enabling three-dimensional adjustments to ensure proper alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the actuating arm is made pivotable to enable flap movement, then the flap can be opened and closed, but the actuating arm becomes unstable and can slide off during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap movement capabilityVSAvoidassembly stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-twist device is activated during the assembly process to temporarily fix the actuating arm in a predetermined position. This preliminary action prevents the arm from sliding off before the flap is properly installed, and is subsequently deactivated to restore normal pivoting functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static locked state during assembly to a dynamic pivoting state during operation. The anti-twist device enables this dynamic transition by being activatable during assembly and deactivatable during normal use, allowing the actuating arm to switch between stability and mobility as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the actuating arm is locked in position to prevent sliding, then assembly stability is improved, but the flap cannot be opened and closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidflap movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-twist device provides a dynamic locking mechanism that can be activated during assembly to prevent sliding, then deactivated to restore flap movement. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between stable and movable states based on the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is applied preliminarily during the assembly process only, not during normal operation. This temporary application of the locking mechanism provides stability when needed while preserving movement capability when the assembly is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If spring devices apply high forces to balance the flap weight, then the flap can be held in position, but the actuating arm may shoot up and cause injuries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflap weight balancingVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-twist device applies a counteracting constraint to prevent the dangerous upward movement of the actuating arm. By temporarily fixing the arm in its fully open position during assembly, it counteracts the spring force that could otherwise cause the arm to shoot up and injure assembly personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism provides a safety buffer before the dangerous situation can occur. By pre-establishing the locked position during assembly, it prevents the uncontrolled movement that would result from the spring force, cushioning against potential injuries.

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

4Ease of operation

If the actuating arm is made unstable to allow easy assembly, then assembly convenience is improved, but the arm slides off into the furniture body interior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly convenienceVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-twist device is activated as a preliminary measure during assembly to prevent the actuating arm from sliding off into the furniture body. This preliminary constraint allows assembly personnel to work safely and conveniently without the risk of the arm moving unpredictably.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1934423B1Shutter (or door) fitting
Publication Date: 2013.12.18 JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • EP1934423B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP1934423B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP1934423B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Shutter (or door) fitting for fastening a furniture shutter (or door) (3) in a pivotable manner on a basic cabinet structure (2), having at least one actuating arm (5a, 5b), which is provided for moving the furniture shutter (3), and having at least one shutter-mounted fitting part (6), which can be connected to the actuating arm (5a, 5b), characterized in that the shutter-mounted fitting part (6) has a rotation-prevention means for temporarily fixing the pivoting position of the at least one actuating arm (5b), preferably in the fully open position thereof, wherein the rotation-prevention means, in a first operating position, arrests the at least one actuating arm (5b) in its pivoting position relative to the shutter-mounted fitting part (6) and, in a second operating position, allows the actuating arm (5b) to pivot.