The furniture fittings market has long become an independent phenomenon and very profitable for the manufacturers of the mentioned devices. Of course, not everyone can afford to purchase newfangled additions for internal filling, however, the lifting mechanism for kitchen facades has long been a bestseller.
The action of the required parts is based on simple mechanics, as well as pneumatics. Many of these mechanisms are also equipped with a variety of dampers, and with them closers, which subsequently allow the use of this furniture smoothly and absolutely silently. Further in the article we will look at the main types of kitchen parts that interest us.
Lifting mechanism for kitchen fronts
Gas elevator design
The design of a furniture damper is no different from the devices in a car for lifting the rear door of the body. The diagram below shows all the components of a gas lift design.
Nitrogen is used as a bypass medium. To extend the rod, a small force is required, and then under the pressure of the compressed gas it will completely come out of the outer cavity. Lightly pressing the door with your hand will push the barrel inside.
At the bottom of the body there is a loop with two longitudinal holes. The rod has a disk with three mounting holes. The hinge should be attached to the cabinet frame post and the disk should be attached to the back of the front panel.
Types of shock absorbers
Start of work on installing gas lifts: marking
It’s nice to know what pitfalls there are in installing such devices. Therefore, at the same time, a model for marking was purchased. When I arrived at the workshop, the furniture makers laughed, thinking that I had not even thought about it, but when they saw the template in my hands, the joy in my eyes diminished.
The work began with markings. Of course, it would be possible to do without such a plate, but in this case the measurements would take a lot of time, and it is not a fact that they would be correct. And so I spent about 5 minutes marking. I even laughed a little at how their facial expressions changed. However, two years of working in a furniture store were not in vain for me.
Let's sum it up
There are many lifting mechanisms for kitchen facades. Which one to choose is up to you to decide, based on your own preferences, needs and resources available to you. Before going to the store, carefully study this text again, and then start choosing parts. We wish you good luck!
Today, a range hood is an indispensable element that completes any kitchen. This device is necessary to clean the room from vapors, soot and impurities that inevitably appear during the cooking process. We recommend not to rush into making a choice, but to familiarize yourself with the parameters of the devices in a special article, which will allow you to choose the right model and not be disappointed in such a purchase.
Existing types of gas elevators
The design of gas lifts also varies depending on the application. In terms of direction of action it is:
- Direct action. In such systems, the initial position of the rod should be stretched along its entire length. The direct action system is widely used in furniture production.
- Reverse action. Here the initial position of the rod is recessed and extends during operation.
There are 3 front opening positions - 90°, 70°, 110° relative to the side of the cabinet.
Depending on the pressure level in the cylinder, devices can be:
- High pressure. These lifters consist of a rod and a cylinder filled with nitrogen. When the rod enters the cylinder, its volume decreases and the pressure inside it increases.
- Low pressure. This design consists of a pair of hollow cylinders filled with compressed nitrogen. During compression, the volume of gas increases and the pressure inside the spring increases.
Note! The service life of the low-pressure mechanism is practically unlimited, and its adjustment and maintenance can be carried out independently.
Gas elevators come in different sizes.
According to the design of the mechanism, furniture gas lifts are:
- Frictional (step-by-step). This is the easiest option when the door is open. In order for the sash to open and lock to the required level, it is necessary to pull it slightly. A similar force must be applied to close the door, after which the mechanism will lower the door.
- Machine. These are more modern and efficient technological mechanisms that make the furniture very convenient to use. To open the door, you need to press it lightly. After the set time has elapsed, the door will close automatically.
The gas lift locks are as follows:
- Standard (elastic band). The system is blocked at a certain point in the direction of movement of the piston.
Note! This mechanism takes into account the probability of voluntary movement.
- Dual. They are elastic when pressed and rigid when pulled.
- Combined. Such locks can firmly fix the device in both directions. In this case, spontaneous displacement of the spring is excluded.
Folding lift mechanisms for remote cabinets
European brands that produce fittings sell parts that are so strong and have a solid load-bearing capacity that they are increasingly being used for very, very high doors. If you open such doors just like that, then you will have to work hard to close it, since the lower front edge of the facade will look upward.
Folding lift mechanism for cabinet with extension
To prevent this from happening, use a mechanism that will move the upper front part of the facade, as it were, deeper into the cabinet (to take it out), providing you with a much more convenient and comfortable interaction with the mezzanines of the kitchen unit in the future. This is especially true when you are equipping a façade whose height is more than 30-40 centimeters.
This solution looks very beautiful and stylish
The mechanisms of the presented type have only one drawback: height. So, even when moving the end deep into the cabinet, if you are a small, fragile girl or a man of average height, then you will have to, if not jump high up to lower the front of the mezzanine kitchen cabinet, then stand on your toes or stretch up. And even in this case, you can only hook the door, and, if possible, pull it towards you and close it.
Application
Initially, gas lift became an extremely useful solution in the automotive industry. Its installation was carried out on logs and hoods. The driver himself does not hold the structure, since in its place this function is performed by the elevator. Elevators lifted and supported some weight, preventing sudden falls, damage, etc.
But today these elements have gone much further. Main Applications:
- furniture industry;
- construction;
- production of doors, frames and showcases;
- medical industry;
- production of office equipment;
- weapon;
- aerospace structures;
- robotics;
- technology and much more.
Lifts can have different sizes, differ in design and structure, which allows you to choose the optimal mechanism for each specific case.
The mechanism responsible for lifting the cabinet in a vertical plane
The mechanism for lifting the façade of a mezzanine cabinet in a vertical plane is a stylish solution, and perhaps the most expensive. Indeed, the prices for such fittings can scare a client in the “budget” category, and, despite all their advantages, they will not force him to buy it, since sometimes equipping a kitchen with similar details can cost as much as a couple of cabinets from a set for a medium-sized kitchen price segment.
Folding mezzanine cabinets, the doors of which move in a vertical plane, are a real boon for short people
That is why fitting solutions were invented that ensure the cabinet is lifted not in a horizontal, as usual, but in a vertical plane. Of course, in this position it will be much easier for you to reach the door, pull it towards you and close it without any problems.
The cost of this equipment is high and not everyone can afford it.
Calculation of gas lift load relative to the size and weight of the facade
Before installing a mechanical device on a kitchen cabinet, the following operating parameters must be accurately calculated and correlated:
- Gas lift dimensions. Detected when the rod is fully extended. The range of standard sizes includes the following options: 164 mm, 247 mm, 355 mm. This allows you to choose a system for almost any size of furniture.
- Facade dimensions. It is important to measure the height of the cabinet. Typically the standard height for top opening kitchen cabinets is 360mm. For this option, a gas lift with a length of 355 mm is used.
- Weight of the cabinet door with all accessories and decorations. The parameter is needed to calculate gas lift power.
- The pressure in the cylinder, which determines the degree of compression of the spring. This indicator is measured in Newtons (N) and is written on the mechanism body and in the technical data sheet for it. Manufacturers produce mechanisms with the following pressure range: 50N, 60N, 80N, 100N, 120N, 140N, 160N, 200 N. To calculate the required pressure, multiply the weight of the door by 10 N. For example, the weight of the door is 6 kg; so 6 × 10 = 60 N - this should be the gas lift power for a facade weighing 6 kg. You should not choose a powerful system for a light facade, otherwise the door will close too abruptly.
If you choose the wrong gas lift for your kitchen façade, its service life will be reduced by approximately half.
How to properly install a gas lift on a kitchen cabinet?
At the beginning of work, you need to select a tool and make markings, purchase gas lifts and components. Gas lifts differ in different parameters and spring compression force. The device must match the dimensions of the furniture. Usually the dimensions of furniture are standard and for this there are three main options for the dimensions of gas elevators. It is necessary to know the maximum extension of the rod and the length of the folded mechanism.
Compressive force is needed when calculating the design for doors of different weights, taking into account all the cladding and fittings. The amount of compression of the spring is normalized and indicated in the technical data sheet of the mechanism, measured in newtons and can be 60, 80, 100 and up to 140 N. The gas lift is calculated based on the weight of the door on the base. One kilogram brings a mass of 10 newtons of compressive force.
There are many ways to fix it. Flat platforms are often used, which are attached to the sides of the cabinet using self-tapping screws. Screw supports are used for wooden furniture.
What tools will be needed during installation?
You need a set of tools - one is not enough. If you want to install it yourself, you will need:
- Measuring tape, ruler or tape measure.
- Hammer and pliers.
- Drill (preferably electric).
- A screwdriver or screwdriver (preferably the latter).
Step 1. Marking before installation
Before installing the device, markings are carried out in the cabinet niche and the necessary calculations for installation. In addition, marking the centers of the attachment points is carried out on both sides of the niche and on the door.
Step 2. Installation work
Installation of a gas lift on a kitchen cabinet is carried out as follows:
1. First, the bases are attached to the sides of the cabinet at the points marked above.
2. Plates and clamps with springs are installed. The bracket is screwed on and the gas lift head hooks directly onto it.
3. The center of the fastening must coincide with the marked one; the base is fixed in different versions with 3 or 4 screws or self-tapping screws. The head of the structure is fixed in the holes.
Important! If the plate is bent, the lift will not work.
4. The furniture is attached to the door in the same way. The hinge angle should be 8 degrees.
Gas lift installation diagram
Installation
Equipment installation begins with securing the mounting base to the side of the cabinet at the marking point. The two most commonly used methods are a spring clamp and a plate. The bracket is usually screwed into the sidewall material at a marked point and the lift head simply slides into the bracket.
If the base of the stand looks like a plate with a hole, attach it with 3 or 4 screws to the side wall so that the center of the hole coincides with the marked point. The head of the elevator pin is inserted into this hole and secured. In this case, it is important that the base plate is not deformed: if it is bent, the lift will not work.
Exactly the same steps for installing the mounting base of the device are performed on the inner surface of the door. Here it is important to ensure the hinge angle, which should be approximately 8 degrees.
Spring lifting mechanism for narrow facades
This device can be designated as “rigid-mechanical”. Many furniture makers say that during installation it is necessary to take care of your fingers, otherwise they can easily get pinched.
The spring lifting mechanism is produced for narrow facades because it can only support the following parts:
- weighing no more than 4 kilograms;
- opening approximately 90 degrees.
What does a spring lifting mechanism look like when installed on narrow facades
? Of course, such a mechanism is unable to provide you with silent closing and smooth movement during interaction with the facade, however, it also has an advantage: it is not high, which is why it is quite easy to install it inside even the narrowest cabinet of yours. kitchen set, the internal height of which is up to 15 centimeters.
If we consider the spring lift from this point of view, then you will not find any analogues to it, but you will appreciate the undeniable benefits. However, the spring mechanism has another strong side: you do not have to install additional hinges on the folding facade.
Today, spring mechanisms are used infrequently, since everyone prefers more “delicate” parts, however, they still continue to be used
Installation of gas lifts themselves into seats
Once all the brackets were in place, I installed gas lifts on them. It's very easy to do. We replace the seat with the ball holder and press while holding the bracket. A slight click is heard indicating that the elevator has stopped. The main task is not to confuse the situation. There is a piston inside the cabinet and a rod on the door.
We commission elevators and continue to work
Advantages and disadvantages
The main purpose of gas lifts is the correct, free, silent and easy opening of the upper drawers of the hood, in which the door opens upward. The positive parameters of installing such a device in the kitchen include:
- guaranteed constant tightness of the doors at the top when opening;
- there is no possibility of the door opening spontaneously;
- installation of a gas lift is quite simple, therefore, with a detailed understanding of the instructions, the procedure can be carried out independently;
- long service life of the structure due to high-quality devices;
- the cabinets open without much effort, and no unpleasant sounds or noises are heard;
- get rid of ugly cabinet handles, which will provide a stylish and modern interior;
- Opening the door is incredibly simple, which requires a little effort to press it with your hand.
If you order such fasteners from special companies, then to create them you can use the same materials that are used in the manufacture of kitchen furniture.
The disadvantages of the products include their rather high cost, so they are often inaccessible to potential buyers. If they break for any reason, repairs will be impossible due to the sealed housing, so you will only have to replace the structures.
How to install and secure a gas lift
Gas lift equipment
Among the huge number of types of gas lifts, differing in parameters and technical characteristics, there are two budget options that are often used for kitchen furniture.
They are fixed with loops on the head of the clasp:
- Spring onions;
- Plate.
The first option is the simplest. There is no need to perform complex manipulations with tools and parts. Simply slide the mechanism onto the head of the clasp with a simple push.
The dish is just as simple. But sometimes there were parts in which the ends of the plate were bent more than necessary.
Therefore, it was impossible to fix the head of the fastener in the loop; it simply did not fit into the hole. There is only one way out: consider the gas lift faulty and do not use it.
Installation diagram
The size of the doorway directly corresponds to the rules for installing a gas lift (see photo above). That is, for a certain opening angle there are corresponding installation dimensions.
On this page of the site we offer you a video showing options for installing the mechanism with overall dimensions. Let this be an instruction manual.
Interesting - the specifics of repairing upholstered furniture depending on the type of fault
Lifting mezzanine bracket “click-clack”
This lifting mechanism also falls into the category of simple mechanical devices. It easily folds back the fronts of kitchen cabinets, mezzanines and other furniture of a similar type. The cost of these parts is also very affordable, which is good news. It turns out that you are free to choose from three types of fittings, while maintaining the confidence that its purchase will not empty your wallet.
The click-clack lifting mezzanine bracket has a modest size. Provided that you install it correctly, it will be able to open the door by about 90-100 degrees.
Click-clack bracket
It is no coincidence that such an additional name as “click-clack”, which sounds very similar to the name of the world-famous mechanism for installation in sofas, is attributed to it.
The fact is that, by analogy with a sofa, a facade equipped with a lifting mezzanine bracket of the type in question also needs:
- lift up to hear a characteristic clicking sound;
- then lower it.
This is how you can fix the sash in the open state.
This mechanism is quite simple to install and assemble, you can easily cope with this task yourself
Please note: when installing this mechanism, it is very important to correctly calculate the weight of the facade. If you choose it incorrectly, it will not lock, the sash will simply slowly move to the original position from which it was raised. That is why experienced furniture makers recommend installing two mechanisms on one box, using both sides.
This mechanism falls into the category of budget accessories; you can buy it everywhere
Purpose and device
Properly installed structures can be used for a wide variety of kitchen furniture. Applicable:
- It is optimal to install them on kitchen furniture, which is used quite often, so it is necessary that the doors open quietly and remain intact for a long time;
- they are often used for installation in the living room, bedroom, children's room or other rooms where it is advisable to install spacious boxes equipped with gas lift doors;
- office furniture is often used with such elements and is considered not only multifunctional, but also has a stylish look;
- gas lifts are optimal for installation when installing facades made of bars;
- they are often used to create poufs or various boxes.
The range of applications for gas elevators is considered wide, which is why they are very popular designs. They can be of different sizes and even colors.
Sources
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