Sliding-Pivot Shelf Locking Mechanism for Heavy-Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding-pivoting mechanisms in furniture and domestic appliances fail to reliably lock the shelf in the upper position when subjected to heavy loads, leading to inconsistent locking and potential instability during loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
A sliding-pivoting mechanism with a rotatably fixed pivot arm, a guide rail, and a locking mechanism featuring a resiliently held pin and curved guide, which automatically locks the shelf in the lifted position and can be unlocked by intentional insertion or pull-out movement, ensuring secure locking and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking mechanism is used in the sliding-pivoting mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the locking reliability deteriorates when heavy loads are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved guide element with a specific arc-shaped geometry that guides the pin through a controlled path. The curvature of the guide element ensures that the pin is automatically pushed into the locking position at the upper end position, providing reliable locking under heavy loads while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary element between the web and the guide element. This pin transfers the locking force and is guided by the curved guide element, enabling reliable locking without requiring a complex locking mechanism. The web serves as another intermediary, providing resilient support for the pin.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is made more complex to improve locking reliability, then the locking reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock itself when the guide rail reaches the upper end position. The curved guide element automatically pushes the pin into the locking position during the normal lifting operation, eliminating the need for separate locking actions and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring an active action to engage the lock, the system is designed so that the lock engages automatically through the normal motion of lifting the guide rail. The unlocking is achieved by reversing the motion - pulling the guide rail downward causes the pin to follow the curved guide back to the unlocked position.
3Reliability
If a resiliently held pin is used to guide along a curved guide element, then the locking reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The web is resiliently attached to the pivot arm and simultaneously provides support for the pin while allowing its pivoting motion. The curved guide element is integrated with the guide rail structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient web changes its physical state between deflected and undeflected positions, which corresponds to the locked and unlocked states. This parameter change (elastic deformation) provides the locking action without requiring additional mechanical components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring consistent locking.
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 mechanism provides reliable locking and unlocking functionality, preventing accidental pivoting and ensuring safe loading and unloading of heavy loads by using a curved guide to guide the pin along a guide element, allowing intentional control over the locking and unlocking positions.
Implementation Method 1
a web (18), which is resiliently pivotably held on a first pivot arm (15)
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding-pivoting mechanism of a shelf includes a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm. The pivot arms are arranged attached to sidewalls of a body and parallel to each other at a distance from each other. A guide rail is fastened to second ends of the pivot arms in such a way that the guide rail can be pivoted parallel to the plane of the side walls and that the guide rail can be pivoted from a lower position space to a raised, upper position. The mechanism also includes at least one running rail, which can be moved linearly in the guide rail and to which the shelf is fastened. The sliding-pivoting mechanism includes a locking mechanism for preventing a pivoting motion of the sliding-pivoting mechanism in a raised and a lowered end position. The locking mechanism is arranged on the guide rail and on one of the pivot arms and can be actuated by means of an activator fastened to the running rail.