How to choose gas lifts for facades

A furniture gas lift is a system that is designed to smoothly open/close a cabinet in a horizontal direction and hold the door in one position or another. What is a gas elevator? What parameters should you rely on to choose the right device for a particular box? What tools are needed to install a soft opening system? How to install the device yourself? The answers follow.

System for opening cabinet doors horizontally

What is a gas furniture lift?

The main elements included in the design of a furniture gas elevator are:

the rod with which the mechanism operates;
guide for rod movement;
bearing facilitating sliding;
piston;
sleeve with gas;
sealing gaskets that give the system complete tightness.

What does a furniture gas lift do and why is the device installed? Using the mechanism you can:

open and close cabinet doors smoothly and silently, which eliminates the possibility of sudden contact of the facade with the furniture body and extends the life of the furniture;
fix the doors in the open or closed position;
gain maximum access to the contents of the cabinet and view all items stored in it.

In addition to the cabinet, gas elevators can also be installed on any other folding systems, for example, for lifting beds, disassembling/assembling sofas, sectional tables, for an office or children's chair, and so on.

How to choose?

It is possible that a person has already bought a bed, but does not know which gas lift to install on it.

Then our recommendations for selecting this device :

Let's calculate the weight of the bed: the average design value of a single bed is about 30 kilograms; we will find out the weight of the mattress from the supplier - orthopedic, for example, weighs about 40 kilograms. Total: 70 kilograms.
We will determine by the gas elevator markings which device is suitable for us. The gas lift passport contains numbers in Newtons. We equate 1 kilogram to 10 Newtons. The best option in this case would be to select two elements of 800 Newton each.

It turns out that our selected mechanisms will be able to lift 160 kilograms.

However, this is not true, since the force is distributed at a certain angular component, and over time the mechanism may weaken. In some cases, you should not look at the manufacturer's recommendations, since he suggests a reserve that is much larger than what can be obtained. This will cause the structure to close itself, which is unacceptable. In addition, to lift it later will require incredible effort.

Main selection criteria

To choose the right gas elevator, you will need to determine:

type of system;
technical specifications;
manufacturer.

Types of gas lifts. Their advantages and disadvantages

To assemble furniture we use:

direct action lift;
reverse action lift.

A direct-acting gas elevator operates on compression. This is the most popular version of the lifting system, as it is simple to manufacture, lower cost and easy to install.

Direct acting gas lifts

Reverse-action furniture lifts, on the contrary, work to extend the rod. Fittings are more complex to manufacture, as high precision is required during production, which primarily affects the cost of the equipment.

Reverse action furniture lifts

Gas elevators can also vary in how they open. There are models:

with a step-by-step design, that is, manual opening. The cabinet door or other folding element in this situation is equipped with a handle that facilitates the process of controlling the lifting mechanism;
with automatic design. In this case, the lift is equipped with an electric drive that drives the lifting mechanism.

Electric furniture lift

Determination of technical parameters

In order for a pneumatic gas elevator to serve for a long time, you will need to determine:

compression force;
equipment dimensions.

When calculating independently, the compression force of the spring is determined taking into account:

weight of the folding structure (facade, bed, rising part of the chair, etc.);
the distance determined from the center of the axis of operation of the equipment to the middle of the lever (center of gravity);
height between the center of the system axis and the equipment mounting location;
number of installed lifting mechanisms.

Data and calculation method for gas lift for furniture

In order not to make complex calculations, you can use the recommendations of experts:

It has been proven that when choosing cabinet lifts, a 1 kg load will require a lifting force of 10 Newtons. Manufacturers produce lifts of different strengths. The most popular devices for kitchen cabinets are 60 N - 140 N, and for sofas, beds, chairs - 1000 N;
When choosing lifts for other pieces of furniture, the device classes are taken into account.

Class	Maximum weight, kg
1	80
2	100
3	150
4	200

The next step is to determine the dimensions of the furniture lift. The length of the gas lift depends on the size of the cabinet door or other lifting device.

Popular manufacturers

When choosing furniture fittings, you also need to pay attention to the manufacturer, since the reliability and service life of the equipment depends on the manufacturing company.

Currently, products manufactured by the following companies are popular:

Suspa Liftline (Germany). The company produces gas elevators for various furniture. Mechanisms vary in type, opening method, size and maximum load. The most significant drawback is the price. The average cost of a kitchen lift for the facade is 450 - 550 rubles;
Gaslift-M (Russia). The company's products are of high quality at a relatively low cost. You can purchase a lift for kitchen cabinets at a price of 80 rubles per piece;
Stabilus (Germany). Excellent quality and at an affordable price (from 250 rubles).

Replacement of gas elevator

If the gas cartridge does not compress, and the device is required when using a chair, that is, fixing the device in one position is unacceptable, then a complete replacement of the mechanism is required.

To replace you need:

prepare a certain set of tools and additional materials;
familiarize yourself with the work flow chart.

Preparing to replace the gas lift

To replace the gas lift swing mechanism, you will need to prepare:

new chair lift. You can purchase accessories in a specialized store. When choosing a gas elevator, you should take into account the dimensions of the equipment and the maximum load. If you can’t determine the parameters yourself, you can use the help of sales consultants;
Phillips screwdriver for assembling and disassembling furniture;
hammer. To ensure safety, it is better to use a hammer made of rubber. Such a tool will not damage the equipment during operation;
ring punch;

Punch – a tool for pulling out (so-called “knocking out”) parts from holes

vice. You can replace the gas lift without a vice, but using a bench tool will simplify the work;
WD-40 liquid.

Sequence of replacement work

How to remove the old gas lift from the chair and install a new lift? The work is performed in the following sequence:

treating all joints of stool elements with WD-40 liquid. This will make the disassembly process easier;

Lubricating units to facilitate disassembly

seat detachment.

How to disassemble the chair? Using a Phillips screwdriver of the appropriate size, loosen the bolts securing the seat to the piastre.

Next, the chair is turned over and the seat and decorative casing are removed from the lift using rolling movements. The work can also be done by resting your feet on the crosspiece and using rolling movements to remove the chair;

Detaching the seat from the cross and gas lift

disconnecting the lift from the piaster and crosspiece.

The work is done by knocking out the gas lift with a hammer with a rubber tip. To facilitate the process of disassembling the cross and the lift, you can also use a metal drift.

Before knocking out, remove the retaining ring - the pin located on the back side of the cross at the point where the gas cartridge is connected;

Removing the gas cartridge from the piastrum

installation of a new gas cartridge. To do this, at the first stage it is necessary to insert the device into the crosspiece (until there is a click indicating the fixation of the element), applying some force, put on the protective and decorative casing and connect the half-assembled structure with the piaster;
Assembling the computer chair in reverse order.

You can learn more about the independent process of replacing a gas elevator on a computer chair by watching the video.

Replacing a gas chair lift is not a complicated process, so even a novice craftsman can do the job on his own. If you have all the tools, a new lift and pre-processing, the work is completed within 15 - 20 minutes.

Installation technology

How to install a gas lift system on a cabinet? Before installation you must:

determine the method of fastening the fittings;
prepare tools to do the job;
familiarize yourself with the diagram for attaching the lift to the cabinet door.

Mounting methods

The gas lift can be installed on a furniture cabinet:

using fixing pads secured with self-tapping screws. This option is easy to install, but can only be used for products made of wood, chipboard, MDF and analogues;
using screws with a locking function. The primary area of use is metal and plastic surfaces.

What does the gas lift installation kit consist of?

The gas furniture elevator kit consists of the gas elevator itself, mounting on the side wall and mounting on the facade, installation instructions and self-tapping screws for fastenings.

Rice. 1. Contents of the gas elevator installation kit

Rice. 2. Fastenings on the side wall and facade

What is a gas furniture lift?

The main elements included in the design of a furniture gas elevator are:

the rod with which the mechanism operates;
guide for rod movement;
bearing facilitating sliding;
piston;
sleeve with gas;
sealing gaskets that give the system complete tightness.

What does a furniture gas lift do and why is the device installed? Using the mechanism you can:

open and close cabinet doors smoothly and silently, which eliminates the possibility of sudden contact of the facade with the furniture body and extends the life of the furniture;
fix the doors in the open or closed position;
gain maximum access to the contents of the cabinet and view all items stored in it.

The main purpose

Initially, the gas elevator was actively used in automobile production. Using this technology, hoods and trunks are held in place during operation of the compartments they cover. Lifts can act as an additional structural support, not only holding the barrier, but also protecting it from accidental damage.

They have also found application in the following areas:

construction works;
production of medical equipment;
printing;
pneumatic weapon systems;
aerospace industry, etc.

Gas lifts came into furniture assembly a little later. Most often they are used to create kitchen shelves. This technical solution not only increases the comfort of use, but also saves the space occupied by the furniture set. Also, a gas elevator is ideal for ensuring the operation of office chairs, sofas with folding structures, wardrobe beds and other “transformers”. For each product, a specific functional and dimensional type of gas lift is selected.

Main selection criteria

To choose the right gas elevator, you will need to determine:

type of system;
technical specifications;
manufacturer.

Types of gas lifts. Their advantages and disadvantages

To assemble furniture we use:

direct action lift;
reverse action lift.

A direct-acting gas elevator operates on compression. This is the most popular version of the lifting system, as it is simple to manufacture, lower cost and easy to install.

Direct acting gas lifts

Reverse action furniture lifts

Gas elevators can also vary in how they open. There are models:

with a step-by-step design, that is, manual opening. The cabinet door or other folding element in this situation is equipped with a handle that facilitates the process of controlling the lifting mechanism;
with automatic design. In this case, the lift is equipped with an electric drive that drives the lifting mechanism.

Electric furniture lift

Determination of technical parameters

In order for a pneumatic gas elevator to serve for a long time, you will need to determine:

compression force;
equipment dimensions.

When calculating independently, the compression force of the spring is determined taking into account:

weight of the folding structure (facade, bed, rising part of the chair, etc.);
the distance determined from the center of the axis of operation of the equipment to the middle of the lever (center of gravity);
height between the center of the system axis and the equipment mounting location;
number of installed lifting mechanisms.

Analogs of gas lifts

Let's say you don't like gas lifts and want something else. Yes, there are similar systems for horizontal opening of furniture facades. But these systems are similar not in terms of operating principles, but in terms of compactness. The only thing is that they cost more, because after all, gas lift is a budget option for opening and fixing the facade.

Let's consider two such worthy mechanisms:

KLOK lift/fold mechanism

We don’t know who first produced this mechanism for horizontal opening, but at one time we remember it as a product from a manufacturer such as Huwil and known as the Huwilift Duo Standard lifting mechanism. Nowadays, whoever produces such mechanisms.

Rice. 17. Huwilift Duo Standard lifting mechanism

Rice. 18. Installation diagram of the Huwilift Duo lifting mechanism at different opening angles Standard

KLOK can withstand loads of up to 12 kg when fixing the facade in any position and up to 15 kg when fixing the facade at the maximum opening angle. The mechanism, like the gas elevator, is universal, that is, there is no division into right and left, it is also easy to install/remove from the mounting axes, in addition, the strength of the mechanism is adjusted with a hex key and its operation is silent.

Rice. 19. KLOK lifting mechanism from Ferrari, find the differences

Rice. 20. KLOK lifting mechanism, lifting operation

Rice. 21. KLOK lifting mechanism tilt operation

Rice. 22. Installation diagram of the KLOK lifting mechanism

Lifting mechanism Aventos HK-XS

Aventos HK-XS lifting mechanism can be installed in housings with a shallow internal depth on one or both sides. The lift is suitable for housing heights from 240 mm to 600 mm, the width of the housing depends on the power factor. The internal depth for mounting the mechanism is at least 100 mm.

Aventos lifts - let's just talk about the complex

We will simply talk about mechanisms for lifting kitchen doors called Aventos. There are two groups of Aventos: for lifting folding doors with a single representative called Aventos HF and a group of various lifts for solid facades.

Rice. 23. Lifting mechanism Aventos HK-XS

Rice. 24. Installation diagram of the Aventos HK-XS lifting mechanism

The interesting plate below contains the rest of the information on the Aventos HK-XS lifting mechanism.

Source

Installation technology

How to install a gas lift system on a cabinet? Before installation you must:

determine the method of fastening the fittings;
prepare tools to do the job;
familiarize yourself with the diagram for attaching the lift to the cabinet door.

Mounting methods

The gas lift can be installed on a furniture cabinet:

using fixing pads secured with self-tapping screws. This option is easy to install, but can only be used for products made of wood, chipboard, MDF and analogues;
using screws with a locking function. The primary area of use is metal and plastic surfaces.

Types of fasteners

Tools and materials

To perform installation work you will need to prepare the following kit:

tape measure, square, marker (pencil) for applying preliminary markings;
drill for preparing holes for fastenings;
screwdriver and screwdriver for fixing the lift.

A gas lift is exclusively an additional device that facilitates the process of using a cabinet or other piece of furniture. The main fittings of a cabinet door are furniture hinges.

Even after installing the gas lift, the main load is taken by the hinges

Gas lift installation

Direct installation is carried out after installing all the cabinet door fittings according to the following scheme:

determination of mounting locations for furniture lifts. The location of fasteners is determined in accordance with the planned opening angle of the cabinet door. As a rule, installation dimensions for all situations are indicated in the attached instructions;

Determining lift mounting locations

in the marked places holes are drilled, the diameter matching the size of the fastening bolts;
fasteners are fixed;
The gas lift is fixed on the fasteners. Fixation is considered complete only after a click. In some situations, fixation requires some effort.

Gas lift mounting

You can watch the video for more information about the process of installing the lift yourself.

It is recommended to carry out work on installing a gas elevator before the final installation (hanging) of the cabinet. This will allow you to apply markings more accurately and avoid distortions. It should be remembered that in order to ensure the correct operation of the fittings, it is recommended to install two lifts on cabinets, beds and sofas.

Gas lifts can be found in any modern kitchen where cabinet furniture is installed. They are used in cabinets whose fronts open upward and secure the doors in the open position. A furniture gas lift is a lift with a piston and cylinder containing inert gas. The gas prevents sudden compression and expansion of the spring in the lift, creating a shock-absorbing effect. The simple and effective design has found wide application in various industries.

Types of furniture gas lifts, rules for selection and installation

Scope of gas lifts

Gas elevators have proven themselves in the automotive industry - initially they were installed on hoods and trunks, and also mounted in car doors. Lifts are needed to take on the weight of structures and protect them from damage.

Today, gas lifts, in addition to the automotive industry, are widely used in other areas:

Furniture industry - first of all, we are talking about kitchen furniture. Gas lifts are ideal for cabinets that open upward. They prevent doors from closing spontaneously and allow you to save space in the kitchen. Also, furniture gas lifts are installed in office chairs, folding sofas, wardrobe beds;.
Construction - used in the production of doors, window frames and glass display cases;
Medical equipment - used in the manufacture of beds for the care of palliative patients, in the production of simulators for rehabilitation procedures and other equipment;
Printing - gas shock absorbers are installed on the covers of copiers, scanners, MFPs and other devices;
Weapons sphere - used for the manufacture of pneumatic weapons;
Aerospace construction and others;

What is gas lift

Installing gas lifts on kitchen cabinets provides a modern improvement to the space in the kitchen. To avoid any problems with the installation and operation of products, it is important to choose them wisely for the existing box.

The gas furniture elevator is represented by a special lifting device, which is used to hold and open the doors of various cabinets. The main purpose of this product is the ease of opening the doors upward.

The operation of the mechanism is based on its simple design. When creating gas elevators, a special gas spring is used together with a hydraulic shock absorber. As soon as the door opens literally 10 degrees, it then automatically opens up to 90 degrees.

The design includes elements:

cylinder-shaped body;
special piston of optimal size;
sleeve;
valve;
bearings for easy sliding of doors;
stock;
sealing elements;
stuffing box;
finger

The design is hermetically sealed, so there is no possibility of dust, dirt or moisture getting into its various elements. A non-separable mechanism is necessarily created, so it cannot be disassembled and repaired if necessary.

Varieties

Depending on the application, the design of gas shock absorbers will differ. According to the direction of action there are:

Direct acting gas lifts compress the rod. This means that in the basic assembly the stem is fully extended. Such devices are most widely used in furniture production;
Reverse-acting gas lifts—extend a rod recessed in the base assembly.

Also, gas lifters differ in the pressure in the cylinder. Based on this principle, a distinction is made between high and low pressure springs. High pressure lifters consist of two main elements: a rod and a cylinder, which is filled with inert gas. The design of such a device cannot be disassembled. The principle of operation is based on the fact that the gas pushes the rod out of the cylinder. Immersion of the rod into the cylinder leads to a decrease in the volume of gas storage and an increase in pressure in the spring. The low pressure lifter is made of two hollow cylinders filled with compressed gas. Compressing the gas increases its volume and increases the pressure inside the spring.

Low-pressure gas lifts are characterized by an almost unlimited service life and the possibility of independent adjustment and maintenance.

Another type of gas shock absorbers is locking springs. The block can be located on the pressure tube or on the rod. Such devices are used, for example, in office chairs for height adjustment. The piston rod has a locking function with a button that opens the piston valve. After pressing the button, the rod can be pressed in or out. Releasing the button causes the rod to lock in the specified position.

There are three types of gas lift blocking:

Standard blocking is elastic and occurs at a certain point in the piston stroke. In this case, there is a risk of arbitrary displacement;
Ambivalent locking - when pressed in, it will be elastic, and when pulled out, it will be rigid;
Combined locking - provides rigid fixation in both directions, preventing arbitrary movement of the spring.

Selection rules

When choosing a furniture gas lift, you need to rely on two criteria: the compression force of the spring and the dimensions of the door to which the device will be attached.

In terms of compressive force, to withstand a load of 1 kilogram, a force of 10 Newton is required. Thus, by measuring the weight of the door, you can calculate the required value. Most gas lift manufacturers produce devices with a fixed load from 60 to 140 Newton. Knowing the weight of the door, you can easily select a suitable lift.

In addition to weight, the choice is influenced by the size of the door. The length of the device will depend on it. The longer you need the gas spring, the thicker its body should be.

Also, gas lifts allow the use of step-by-step and automatic design of locker doors. The step design is the most common mechanism with a handle on the door. Automatic design involves opening doors at the press of a button and closing them automatically after a certain time. For this purpose, the facades of cabinet furniture are equipped with an electric drive. Such devices are suitable for people who forget to close cabinets or cannot reach the handle when the door is in the open position.

Installation methods

You can install a gas elevator yourself or contact a specialist. If you are planning to install it yourself, before starting work you will need to have:

Installation instructions are always included with the gas lift. Check its availability when choosing a device.

Installation of furniture gas lifts begins with marking the center of the side fasteners. It is necessary to mark 25 mm from the top and front ends on the side of the facade. Next, a side mold is attached to which the gas lift piston will be installed. The moving part of the device is attached to a spring, after which the façade is mounted on hinges. The final stage is to attach the gas lift counter fastening element using self-tapping screws, following the diagram. It is recommended to install two lifts on one façade. This will help avoid excessive stress on the gas lift and the distortions it causes.

The installation diagram provides for several door positions - when opened, it can be fixed at different angles. You can independently select the desired fixation angle during installation.