Touch-Latch Lock Coupling With Damping for Unwanted Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture locking devices, such as touch-latch arrangements, 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 catch element and actuating element connected via a coupling that releases when a predetermined force is exceeded, incorporating a damping element to absorb impact forces and prevent damage to the locking mechanism, ensuring precise tuning and adaptation to expected loads, and featuring a plug-in coupling with elastically yielding holding elements for secure engagement.
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:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping element that absorbs kinetic energy before it can trigger unwanted switching operations in the touch-latch arrangement. The damping element is positioned to cushion the impact when the furniture part is pushed into the closed position, preventing the harmful bouncing effect that causes multiple switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element serves as an intermediary between the moving furniture part and the touch-latch arrangement. It mediates the force transmission by absorbing excess kinetic energy, thereby preventing the direct transmission of harmful impact forces that would otherwise cause unwanted switching operations and unreliable locking.
2Reliability
If a damping element is added to absorb impact forces, then unwanted switching is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is merged with the existing catching device structure. Instead of adding a completely separate damping system, the damping function is integrated into the catching device that already exists in the locking mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity while still achieving the desired impact absorption and locking stability.
3Strength
If the coupling is designed to release when predetermined force is exceeded, then damage to locking mechanism is prevented, but connection reliability during normal operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is designed with specific mechanical parameters (engagement geometry, material properties, contact surface area) that determine its release force threshold. By carefully selecting and optimizing these parameters, the coupling maintains reliable connection during normal operation forces while automatically releasing when overload forces are exceeded, thus protecting the locking mechanism without compromising normal reliability.
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 position by damping kinetic energy and preventing unwanted switching, ensuring reliable locking and unlocking states while protecting the locking mechanism from overload.
Implementation Method 1
a damping element is arranged on the catch element, on the adjusting element and/or between the catch element and the adjusting element and that the damping element is designed to damp impact forces acting on the first furniture element when the first furniture part is moved into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
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.