How to compress a bed shock absorber?

The new generation bed differs from its predecessor in its improved design and versatility, thanks to which it has gained great recognition and demand among consumers. The main feature of a folding bed is to save living space and create additional storage space for various household items. Currently, for ease of operation, the structure is equipped with a gas lift - a special lifting mechanism. The longevity and reliability of beds with lifts depends on proper operation, the rules of which are sometimes violated, which leads to some malfunctions in the mechanism. Other reasons, which depend on many factors, are also involved in the malfunction. But what to do in such a situation?

The gas lift for the bed does not compress: what to do?

Modern bed models have an improved design. Today they are not just wooden or metal frames on legs that serve as a place to sleep. Depending on the contents, the bed can not only be a relaxation area, but also be equipped with drawers for storing linen, blankets, spare pillows and out-of-season items.

Samples with a lifting mechanism have become especially popular. Due to it, it is much more convenient to transform the sleeping place if necessary. Thanks to the handle, lifting is simple and convenient. And the installed gas lift fixes the base in the desired position and prevents it from falling. The same applies to the moment of lowering. The frame slowly, silently lowers and stops in a horizontal position.

The undeniable advantage of this type is the saving of usable space in the room, which cannot be said about options with retractable elements. But you can often hear the question from its owners: the gas lift on the bed does not compress: what to do? The answer directly depends on the operation of the model and the correct installation of the furniture gas piston.

Buy or make

In theory, you can make the lifting mechanism you need yourself. To do this, you will need appropriate drawings, verified dimensions, instructions that describe the installation and how to do everything without errors.

But in practice, I advise you to do without these complex and unnecessary manipulations. You won’t be able to save much by making the folding mechanism yourself. Assembly will require separate components, the price of which in total is not so different from a finished mechanism manufactured by a trusted manufacturer and with clearly verified dimensions, parameters and characteristics. The factory mechanisms calculate for what sizes and parameters of the bed a particular model is suitable. This makes it possible to choose the right option if you have a single, one-and-a-half or double bed, the base itself is wooden, chipboard or metal, and the size of the bed is 160x200 or 180x200, for example.

It is much more important to understand how to assemble or install a ready-made lifting mechanism kit.

The gas lift on the bed does not compress: reasons

The main reasons for gas lift failure include:

Incorrect installation of the gas lift with the rod up, which causes a sharp jerk when lifting. As a result, the components of the equipment wear out much faster.
Tightening the nuts during installation to the frame.
The load on the mechanism was incorrectly calculated, for example, a gas lift of greater power than required was installed.
Installation of cheap elements of unknown brands.
Insufficient gas pressure in the piston.
Lack of parts.
Incorrect operation due to the use of force when lifting/lowering. By default, the lifter performs these processes independently. The user only needs to gently push up or press down on the surface.

Important! If you detect a creaking, too sharp or slow movement of the mechanism, you should immediately inspect it, and, if necessary, repair it yourself or call a specialist. Otherwise, the gas lift will soon have to be completely changed.

How to repair a gas lift bed yourself

Independently identifying defects in the operation of the piston mechanism requires some knowledge and skills, otherwise eliminating the malfunction will end very badly.

To understand the reason for the poor quality of the gas lift, you need, at a minimum, to arm yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions. Or you can watch videos on the Internet on this topic.

The algorithm of actions includes the following steps:

It is necessary to make sure that the load and power thrust of the mechanism correspond. This item mainly applies to newly purchased models. It is important to understand that the gas lift only works correctly at full load. Therefore, it is imperative to place a mattress on the base.
Visual inspection of the correct installation of the mechanism. If necessary, completely or partially dismantle it, adjust the elements relative to each other, loosen/tighten the fastening parts.
Complete replacement of low-quality fittings without identification marks with proven ones from well-known brands.

If, as a result of the operations performed, the result remains the same, it is recommended to contact a specialist.

When to contact specialists

You need to contact professionals in two cases:

If there is no desire or time to identify the malfunction using your own resources and resources.
If you were unable to identify the defect yourself.

With the first option everything is clear. As for the second, we are most likely talking about incorrect distribution of gas in the piston. Its excess or deficiency often leads to problems in work. There are two possibilities here: the base of the bed either lowers too slowly, it has to be pushed down, or it “shoots out,” which can also lead to rapid wear of the part.

It is unlikely that an unprepared person will be able to cope with this problem on his own. To do this, you will need to replace the gas cartridge in the furniture unit using special tools that are available only to repair team workers.

Source: homeasking.com

Features of choosing a gas lift for a bed

A bed is not only a sleeping place, but also a “storage” for things (bed linen, children’s toys or other popular household items) that is located underneath it. To ensure full access to this place, you have to lift the mattress, which, by the way, is not always lightweight. For this purpose, a gas lift device was developed, which can facilitate the function of transforming the sleeping bed.

What is this?

So, let’s look at the very concept of “gas elevator”. A gas elevator is a mechanism that plays the role of a lift of elements attached to it. Visually, this design looks like this: it is somewhat reminiscent of a car shock absorber and consists of a cylinder, clamps and a travel arm.

The following positions stand out among the distinctive features of gas lift:

The gas lift device can be compressed by applying some force.
The operating temperature range of the lifting device varies from -30 to +80 degrees Celsius. Leaving the working area beyond this interval by 10 degrees entails a decrease in gas lift performance by 3%.
It is important to install the gas lift correctly, otherwise failure of the lifting mechanism is guaranteed.
The movement of the rod is limited to the maximum possible speed - 300 mm/s. The maximum cylindrical pressure reaches 160 bar.

Advantages of beds using this mechanism:

Practicality. Beds with a lifting mechanism are equipped with storage space.
Strength. Gas lifts provide longer lifespan for sleep furniture compared to other lifting devices.
Reduces the burden on humans.
Easy to use. It doesn't take much effort to put the mechanism into action. Even a child can handle the mechanism.
Quiet operation of the device.
Liquid nitrogen used in shock absorbers is completely safe for metal and rubber gaskets.
Reliability. It is unlikely that you will have to change the gas lift during the entire life of the bed. This mechanism is designed for more than 20 thousand lifting and lowering operations.

Safe design. The casing protects all structural elements from access, so the likelihood of injury is very low.
No dust or moisture under the base. During operation, a tight fit of the frame to the base guarantees minimal accumulation of dust particles.
Alternative choice. There is always the opportunity to buy the version of furniture with a lifting mechanism that is right for you.
Financial savings. You don’t have to buy some additional furniture paraphernalia - there is enough space under the bed for bedding and other necessary things. Plus, there are simply no additional investments in this furniture at the entire stage of operation.
The advantage of gas lift over other mechanisms. Firstly, this mechanism is quite durable. The fittings are strong, while the retractable elements quickly fail. Secondly, when rolling out, in some cases you will have to free up space for drawers.

Types of bed base lifting mechanisms

Each bed with a lifting base has distinctive features that affect the operation process. Transformation mechanisms are classified according to the type of lift installed. The bases can be tilted up or to the side (in a vertical or horizontal plane). The cover can be removed if desired, but in most cases it is fixed in a slightly raised position, forming an angle of 45 degrees at the junction with the frame.

Types of lifting mechanisms:

Coil springs. This method of transforming a bed is easy to use and in demand due to its low cost. Its main drawback lies in the rapid wear of the springs, so the warranty period for furniture maintenance does not exceed 5 years. During the active use stage, the springs pop out, stretch and creak. In case of significant wear, a complete replacement of the worn mechanism is required.
Gas shock absorbers. A high-quality double bed with lift mechanism is often equipped with a gas lift. To move the base from a closed to an open position, even the slightest effort is not required. The shock-absorbing properties of the gas system allow the berth to move smoothly and silently, opening access to the storage compartment. The warranty for gas lift is on average 10 years. The gas shock absorber can be selected taking into account the size and weight of the bed. The mechanism is adapted for lifting heavy springless mattresses from new generation double beds.
Hinges (manual lift). The lack of auxiliary parts complicates the process of moving the bed base, but significantly increases strength. A mechanism without springs or a smooth lifting system is inexpensive, but you will have to remove the mattress to get to the linen drawer. A transformer with hinges is not suitable for children's furniture.

All mechanisms are reliable and durable. Even a spring system can last for decades if you don’t use it every day. A double bed base with a gas lift mechanism is suitable for placing heavy mattresses. A manual mechanism should be used in single bed designs. The lighter the base, the easier it will be to move.

Recommendations for choosing a lifting mechanism:

The height of the bed should not prevent the base from moving.
For a small apartment, you should purchase a compact ottoman that does not take up much free space. For example, a single-bed lifting system with a vertical lifting method.
In a spacious bedroom or children's room, you should install a double bed with reliable gas shock absorbers.
At the stage of choosing accessories, you should be guided only by real reviews about manufacturers.
Furniture makers custom make a lifting base for a bed of non-standard shape or size.
Opening mechanisms are installed on the sides, at the foot or head. The side of the frame is selected depending on the wishes of the buyer and ease of use.
The presence of amplifiers and blockers allows you to protect yourself from serious injuries that can occur while moving the base. Additional components eliminate the possibility of the double bed closing spontaneously.
It is recommended to divide the box under the berth into several compartments. This will reduce the risk of the box deforming as a result of increased load.
To increase the comfort of the sleeping place, orthopedic bases and mattresses should be used.

Specialists involved in the production, sale and assembly of furniture will explain how to choose a bed with a lifting mechanism, taking into account the dimensions of the room and operating requirements. Errors in the process of installing components responsible for the operation of the structure lead to significant problems, so furniture makers usually advise entrusting the assembly to qualified craftsmen.

Negative aspects of using this device in beds:

Lack of aesthetics. Some bed models are designed in such a way that the gas lift is noticeable at the head of the bed.
Low-quality materials used in the production of such a mechanism, in most cases, become unusable after some time. But in some cases it is impossible to determine the quality of parts when purchasing.
The high cost of a bed with such a device.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a gas elevator:

ease of operation;
silent raising and lowering of the surface;
when using liquid nitrogen in the shock absorber, the metal parts of the bed do not rust and the rubber gaskets do not deteriorate;
convenience and ease of use (no effort required, as is the case with spring furniture);
reliability (rare breakdowns of gas lifts);
minimal risk of injury - moving parts are hidden under the casing;
a wide range of.

Attention

The gas lift mechanism allows you to fold and unfold the bed about 20 thousand times, which is an approximate service life of several decades.

Flaws:

unaesthetic appearance of the bed - gas lifts are partially visible;
It is impossible to immediately determine the quality of the parts.

The conditional disadvantage of gas lift is the high price . However, it is compensated by a longer service life provided that it is installed correctly.

Varieties

There are only two categories of such devices. They are:

Automatic. The principle of operation of such a mechanism is quite simple: in the process of raising the bed, the gas expands, which begins to put pressure on the piston. That, in turn, puts pressure on the area, forcing the structure to move upward. An oiled gasket helps activate the braking, making this rest of the process smooth.
Frictional. The difference between this gas lift design for a bed and the previous one is the absence of a damping process. The gas pressure in this design is reduced, which allows the user of the bed to stop the lifting process in any position. This approach practically never occurs, since it is not in particular demand.

How does the lifting mechanism work?

Gas lifts come in two varieties with almost identical operating principles:

Automatic – when the bed is raised, the nitrogen in the cylinder expands. When gas pressure is applied to the piston, the rod attached to it pushes the surface of the bed upward. To slow down, a stop damper is used, which is an oil plug. The stopper allows you to move the bed smoothly.
Frictional - such a gas lift is not equipped with a damper and has a slightly lower nitrogen pressure. It differs from automatic by the ability to stop the surface of the bed at any angle.

Replacing the lifting mechanism

The mechanism may stop working for many reasons: wear of elements, jamming, etc.

Below are the sequential points for replacing the lifting mechanism:

We disassemble the sleeping place. First of all, the elements are installed on the furniture body, and then on the base.
If there are seats for fastening, we fit the fastening elements onto these holes.
The shock absorbers are mounted with the cylinders facing up.
Assembly of the structure.

How to install correctly?

Installing such a lifting device is quite simple. To assemble it correctly, you must follow our recommendations.

Below are the steps for such an assembly:

First you need to use a drill to make 3-4 holes for fasteners on the box.
The lower part of the device is secured with bolts.
We attach the corner of the lifting mechanism to this structure.
It is necessary to lower the base into the frame. We drill 3-4 holes on all sides, taking into account the position of the bottom bar.
Leave a gap of 5-10 mm between the box and the frame, then tighten the bolts on the upper structure.
We connect everything together using pistons, securing them to the top and bottom of the device.

See below for the gas lift installation process.

Before installing the system on furniture, it is necessary to check the prefabricated structure. It should not lower itself spontaneously, nor should it creak or jam during the lifting process.

Tips for choosing

We invite readers of the article to familiarize themselves with the following tips that will be useful when purchasing a bed with gas lift:

Pay attention to the manufacturer. We do not recommend purchasing a bed that has a Chinese equivalent of the device installed. It is better to give preference to companies from Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey and Taiwan. Today, for example, the products of the company Suspa (Germany) stand out.
As we said earlier, the gas shock absorber hardware is visible from some angles. Therefore, for aesthetics, the best option would be to purchase a sleeping bed with a color shade close to the furniture frame.
Compare the load of the gas shock absorber with all parameters. Study the passport for this device.

Source: stroy-podskazka.ru

Types of products with a lifting mechanism

All soft beds with a lifting mechanism are divided into two types:

single;
double.

A product passport is also required.

Triple beds with a lifting mechanism are not sold. They can only be made to order. In everyday life, such systems are not very convenient: they are very bulky and heavy; the mattress is difficult to lift, and the opening devices quickly become unusable.

Finding a bed with a lifting mechanism cheaply is quite possible.

Also, products with a lifting mechanism can be divided into the following types:

gas lift;
spring;
loopback

You should pay special attention to this when purchasing products.

Units with a lifting mechanism are distinguished by the material from which they are made:

solid wood;
Fiberboard;
chipboard;
MDF.

Another plus is that a bed with a lifting mechanism can be purchased inexpensively.

Solid mass is a very heavy, but environmentally friendly material. In fiberboard and MDF, formaldehyde is often added to make the parts more firmly bonded to each other. Formaldehyde vapor is dangerous to human health. The most reasonable option is to purchase a bed made of chipboard.

Here the choice is almost limitless - from cotton to genuine leather.

The box is sealed, practically no air enters there.

Most often, a bed with a lifting mechanism is characterized by the presence of a soft backrest. The base is chipboard or metal frame. It is lined with insulation and has fabric on top. Here the choice is almost limitless - from cotton to genuine leather.

The most reasonable option is to purchase a bed made of chipboard.

Characteristics of a gas lift for a bed, rules for self-installation

Gas elevators are widely used in various spheres of life, including devices of this type that are actively used in the furniture industry. Unlike conventional springs, taking into account the power, such a device has a wide range of possible forces. In addition, the gas lift for the bed allows you to quickly and easily find things located in the box under the bed, since lifting it will not cause any difficulties. Designs equipped with such a device will be indispensable for people living in small apartments, since during the day such a sleeping place can be easily hidden in a closet.

What is

A gas lift for a bed is a device that makes it easier to lift the upper part of the structure without extra effort. The operating principle of this small device is similar to that of a car shock absorber. The main components of the product are:

Cylinder with gas (nitrogen is almost always used). It must be taken into account that there is high pressure inside the cylinder, so it is not worth repairing or disassembling it yourself.
Piston with rod - this part helps transmit the force generated during operation of the product.
Oil muffler (can also be made of rubber). A gasket whose main task is to stop vibrations that occur during the operation of a gas lift.
Retainers. Plates made of durable steel, with which the gas lift is fixed to the bed frame.

What is a gas elevator?

A gas lift is a device used in the furniture industry to lower or raise the surface of furniture. In action it resembles car shock absorbers. Externally, a gas lift is a small cylinder with an oil damper and a piston with a rod .
These elements transmit forces to the external environment. The cylinder is filled with gas (usually nitrogen) under very high pressure. Independent disassembly of the gas lift is not recommended.

Varieties

Each manufacturer complements its products with different types of lifting mechanisms, which differ in design, cost and operating period. Also, each device differs in power. Taking into account how a gas elevator works, elevators are divided into the following groups:

Manual mechanism. This type of gas lift is the simplest and most affordable. Despite the fact that a device of this type will function for a long time and properly, today they are rarely used to equip beds. This is due to the fact that great physical effort is required to lift the upper element. In addition, such products can cause damage to the bed frame.
Spring type lift. A simple system that is very easy to use. It doesn't take much force to lift the bed frame. The disadvantage of this design is that its service life does not exceed 5 years, since after this time the springs stretch, causing the device to stop functioning.
A mechanism based on a gas shock absorber. The design operates smoothly, does not emit extraneous noise, and is reliable. If you correctly calculate the load and use the device carefully, it will last more than ten years.

Of all types of devices, the most durable is considered to be a product that contains gas shock absorbers. Compared to other types, such a lift is more expensive. But the high cost is justified by comfort and safety.

Gas elevators themselves are automatic - their operation does not require physical effort or human attention. Or friction ones - the pressure in such cylinders is much less, which allows the structure to be stopped in any position.

Manual mechanism

Spring

Gas lift

Types of lifting mechanisms

To understand the operating principle of the transformer on your bed, you need to determine the type of lifting mechanism used.

The current market for furniture products offers several options for lifts. They are designed for beds of different configurations, styles and designs.

Depending on the operating principle, there are 3 groups.

Hand mechanisms with hinges. The simplest and cheapest options that gained popularity about 40 years ago. Nowadays, beds with this lifting mechanism are rare, since transformation requires a lot of effort. The entire weight of the bed is actually lifted by hand. Currently, hinges are installed on inexpensive models; they often require repairs and do not withstand active use;
Spring systems. Convenient, easy to use. In modern furniture production, they are most often used on inexpensive beds. It takes a little effort to lift, but the child is unlikely to be able to cope with it. Approximately every 5 years, springs must be replaced as they stretch;
Gas lifts. These are mechanisms that use gas shock absorbers. The most modern, advanced and easy to use. Virtually no effort required. They work very smoothly, do not create noise, and can fix the bed in a raised position. With the right choice, a gas lift can last about 10 years. The most expensive in terms of price.

You yourself must decide which mechanism to use for a wardrobe bed, children's furniture or your own sofa. But keep in mind that saving on the mechanism does not justify itself. It is better to immediately take a high-quality and easy-to-use product.

Specifications

If the bed is equipped with a gas lift, the surface of the product can be easily raised and returned to its original position. Everything will go smoothly and without unnecessary noise. The main characteristics of such lifts are:

The main substance that ensures the functionality of the structure is inert gas (most often the cylinders are filled with nitrogen).
The chamber, rod and support tips are made of steel.
The minimum thickness of the walls of the cylinder, which is filled with gas, must be 1 mm, otherwise it will be unsafe to use the structure.
Any gas elevator can be compressed by applying force.
For the device to function properly, the room temperature must vary between -30/+70 degrees.

It must be taken into account that the pressure in the cylinder is very high. That is why, if an element is deformed or another malfunction is discovered, it is strictly not recommended to disassemble it and try to repair it yourself. Below is a table showing the calculation of forces for vertical beds.

Source: mebel-sovet.ru

Basic Concepts

A gas elevator is a special mechanism that is used to lift surfaces attached to it. Many people compare this design with car shock absorbers. Externally, the design has the shape of a small cylinder with several clamps and a moving arm.

This mechanism consists of several main elements:

A cylinder containing gas. Often the container is filled with nitrogen. It should be noted that the mixture inside is under very high pressure, so it is not recommended to disassemble gas lifts yourself.
Oil damper.
Piston with rod. These elements are used to transmit force to the external environment.