Spring Preload Adjustment Coupling for Furniture Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture fittings lack a simple and reliable mechanism for adjusting the preload of spring elements while preventing the transmission of impermissibly high operating forces, which can occur due to user error or misuse.
Innovation Solution
A coupling body that is adjustable relative to the preloading element, forming a releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection with the spring bearing, allowing safe adjustment of the preload and preventing excessive forces through a circumferential release mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment mechanism is designed to allow continuous adjustment of spring preload, then the adjustability is improved, but the risk of transmitting impermissibly high operating forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body acts as an intermediary element between the preloading element and the spring bearing. It provides a releasable form-fitting connection that mediates force transmission, allowing normal adjustment forces to pass through while preventing excessive forces from being transmitted to the spring bearing, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustability and harmful force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable connection design anticipates potential excessive forces before they can damage the mechanism. The form-fitting connection is designed to disengage at a predetermined force level, providing beforehand protection against impermissibly high operating forces while maintaining full adjustability during normal operation
2Reliability
If a releasable connection is introduced to prevent excessive forces, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the releasable form-fitting connection for force limitation, serves as the mounting interface for the spring bearing, and enables the adjustment mechanism to function. This merging approach achieves safety without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the preloading element for adjustment, the coupling body for force limitation and connection, and the spring bearing for spring mounting. This segmentation allows the releasable connection to be implemented in a localized manner rather than requiring complex system-wide changes
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 solution ensures safe and reliable adjustment of spring element preload by preventing the transmission of inadmissible forces and providing a secure, space-saving design with acoustic and haptic feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection is formed between the coupling body and the spring bearing
Implementation Method 2
a releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection is formed between the coupling body and the spring bearing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture fitting (1) having an adjustment mechanism (90) for adjusting the preload of a spring element (50), wherein the adjustment mechanism (90) comprises a spring bearing (80) and a preloading element (60), by means of which the spring bearing (80) can be adjusted, wherein the adjustment of the spring bearing (80) increases and/or decreases the preloading of the spring element (50). The transmission of impermissibly high operating forces is reliably avoided by providing a coupling body (70) which is adjustable relative to the preloading element (60) and which, during the adjustment of the spring bearing (80), at least partially and/or temporarily bears against the latter, in such a way that a releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection is formed between the coupling body (70) and the spring bearing (80), and/or in that a releasable form-fitting and/or frictional connection is formed between the coupling body (70) and the preloading element (60).