Automatic closing apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic closing apparatuses for sliding containers often cause deformation or damage to the container or its contents due to shock during closure, and may rebound open if excessive force is applied.

Innovation Solution

An automatic closing apparatus with a damping unit that absorbs shock when the container is closed, featuring a damper with a shock absorption part and a damper rod, which is activated by contact with the housing, allowing the container to be slowly closed and preventing rebound when forces exceed the critical load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an automatic closing apparatus uses elastic force to automatically close a container, then the container can be automatically closed without manual intervention, but the container or objects stored in the container may be deformed or damaged by shock generated during closing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic closingVSAvoidshock damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a damping unit with a damper that is activated before the container fully closes to cushion the closing process. The damper includes a damping member with a shock absorption part that contacts the container bottom surface, providing prior cushioning to prevent shock damage to the container and its contents during automatic closing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The damping unit acts as an intermediary between the elastic body (which provides closing force) and the container. The damper mediates the force transmission, converting the elastic force into a controlled closing motion that absorbs shock and prevents direct impact on the container and its contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If excessive force is applied to close the container, then the container closes more quickly, but the container may rebound open due to repulsive force generated by collision between sliding apparatus parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing speedVSAvoidcontainer position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The damping unit provides feedback control during the closing process. As the container approaches closure, the damper is activated and provides resistance that increases with compression, automatically regulating the closing speed and preventing excessive force application that would cause rebound. This feedback mechanism ensures stable container positioning without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic force regulation where the damping force is not constant but varies during the closing process. The damper's shock absorption part compresses progressively as the container closes, dynamically adjusting the resistance to match the closing stage, allowing fast initial closure while preventing rebound at the end position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents deformation or damage to the container or its contents during closure and prevents the container from rebounding open even when excessive force is applied, ensuring smooth and controlled closure.

Implementation Method 1

when an outer surface of a rear end of a damper comes into contact with an inner surface of a rear end of the housing, the damping unit begins to absorb shock so that the container can be slowly moved in the close direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

an elastic body elastically coupled to the slider

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2873345B1Automatic closing apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 SEGOS
  • EP2873345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2873345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2873345B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an automatic closing apparatus for a sliding apparatus. The sliding apparatus comprises a fixed rail, a movable rail, and the automatic closing apparatus. The automatic closing apparatus includes a body, a slider, a housing, a damping unit, and an elastic body. The body is provided on the fixed rail and has an actuating space therein. The body includes: a guide wall that is provided in the actuating space and includes a curved guide part and a linear guide part; and a receiving space formed adjacent to the curved guide part. The slider is locked to or unlocked from a locking member of the movable rail and slides in an open or close direction under guide of the guide wall. The housing is coupled to the body. The damping unit is installed in the housing. The elastic body is fastened to the housing and the slider.