Touch-Latch Locking Assembly With Damping Against Unwanted Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture locking devices face challenges in reliably achieving closed and open states due to unwanted switching operations triggered by kinetic energy absorption, leading to unintended ejection of furniture parts.
Innovation Solution
A device with a touch-latch arrangement, actuating element, catch element, and damping element that dampens impact forces, allowing precise tuning of damping properties and preventing unwanted switching by decoupling when excessive forces are applied, using a plug-in coupling with elastically yielding elements to absorb kinetic energy and maintain the locked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first furniture part is pushed into the closed position, then the furniture part can be locked, but kinetic energy absorption causes unwanted switching operations and unintended ejection
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the catch element and the actuating element. This damping element absorbs kinetic energy and dampens impact forces during the closing motion, preventing unwanted switching operations in the touch-latch arrangement while allowing the locking function to occur reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element is positioned to provide cushioning before the furniture part reaches the closed position. By placing the damping element in the force transmission path between the catch element and actuating element, it preemptively absorbs kinetic energy and reduces impact forces before they can trigger unwanted switching operations.
2Reliability
If a damping element is added to dampen impact forces, then unwanted switching operations are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is integrated into the existing force transmission path between the catch element and actuating element. By merging the damping function into the existing structural pathway rather than adding a separate independent system, the design achieves state stability while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
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 effectively maintains the desired closed or open state by absorbing kinetic energy and preventing unintended ejection, ensuring precise control over the locking mechanism and protecting the device from damage due to overloading.
Implementation Method 1
the damping element is designed to dampen impact forces acting on the first furniture element when the first furniture part moves into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the first furniture part can absorb a comparatively large amount of kinetic energy
Implementation Method 3
the ejection means comprising an energy accumulator to provide an ejection effect and wherein the energy accumulator can be charged by moving the first furniture part from an open position into the closed position while overcoming a counterforce generated by the energy accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The device (1) has a touch-latch assembly (2) with locking means for locking the drawer in closed position. An ejection portion provided for ejecting the drawer out of closed portion comprises a force accumulator for providing an ejection effect. An actuating element (3) is provided for transmission of movements of drawer to touch-latch assembly. A damping element is arranged between the catch element (4) and actuating element for attenuating the force exerted on drawer when the drawer is moved to closed position.