Hinge assembly

Abstract

A hinge assembly includes a first assembly portion, a second assembly portion, and a linkage assembly including at least seven hinge axes. The linkage assembly includes two links pivotably mounted directly to the first assembly portion. The hinge assembly also includes a damper pivotably mounted between the two links.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hinge assembly, and more particularly to a wide-angle hinge. Background Technology

[0002] Wide-angle hinges are known in the art. Typically, they comprise a linkage assembly with seven pivots. Integrating damping devices into the hinge assembly has become commonplace. However, it is advantageous to keep the hinge assembly as small as possible while seeking to maintain durable operating characteristics and a long service life.

[0003] It is also advantageous to shield the damping device as much as possible to minimize the amount of debris that may come into contact with it.

[0004] Furthermore, it is important to provide a hinge that does not suffer from springback, so that the damper action does not occur during the high-speed closing action of the door to which the hinge is attached.

[0005] Hinges can also be a source of injury, especially for young children, if their fingers get caught in the linkage.

[0006] An example of prior art that has some or all of the aforementioned disadvantages is EP1815096. In some embodiments, the damper assembly is positioned on a rod in a linkage mechanism connected to the hinge cup. This structure is therefore prone to springback, so that during a high-energy closing action, no damped closure occurs, but rather the hinge springs off the damper.

[0007] This structure can also put stress on the hinge structure, potentially shortening its service life. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising: a first assembly portion; a second assembly portion; and a link assembly including at least seven hinge axes, wherein the link assembly includes two rods directly pivotally mounted to the first assembly portion, and wherein the hinge assembly further includes a damping device pivotally mounted between the two rods.

[0009] The present invention thus solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0010] Preferably, the first assembly is a hinge arm, and more preferably, the second assembly is a hinge cup. Therefore, the damping device mounted between the two rods is pivotally connected to the hinge arm. Because the damper is connected between the two rods that are not connected to the hinge cup, experiments show that the hinge assembly is not significantly affected by springback.

[0011] In a preferred configuration, the linkage assembly comprises four links. Preferably, two links are directly pivotally attached to the hinge cup, and two links are directly pivotally attached to the hinge arm. Preferably, the pivot fittings of the damping device differ from the seven pivots of the linkage assembly. Therefore, this hinge assembly comprises nine pivots.

[0012] Preferably, the damping device includes a linear damper. Preferably, the linear damper includes a damper housing.

[0013] Preferably, the damper housing is supported by a damper support unit. The damper support unit is typically located below at least a portion of the linkage assembly. Therefore, the damper occupies less space within the small cavity housing the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly is also shielded to prevent debris from entering.

[0014] Preferably, the damper support unit is pivotally attached to two rods directly connected to the hinge arm.

[0015] Preferably, the damper support unit comprises a first portion and a second portion. Preferably, they are pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the two rods. Particularly preferably, the first and second portions of the damper support unit are slidably engaged with each other. Preferably, the two portions of the damper support unit are operable to slide relative to each other as the hinge assembly moves from an open position to a closed position.

[0016] Preferably, the damper housing is operable to slide relative to the damper support unit. Also preferably, one or both of the damper housing or the damper support unit include a member that limits the travel path of the damper housing relative to the damper support unit.

[0017] The damper support unit also provides a component to cover the gap in the linkage assembly. Therefore, the linkage assembly does not include components that could pinch or squeeze a user's fingers. Typically, in a seven-axis linkage assembly, a gap exists between the second and third links when the hinge is in its fully open position. This gap closes as the hinge assembly closes, potentially posing a pinching hazard. The damper assembly described above closes this gap.

[0018] To make the present invention easier to understand, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 An example of a hinge component according to the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 A semi-exploded view of the hinge assembly, with the center bar removed to better show the damper assembly.

[0021] Figures 3a to 3eThe damper support structure and linear damper are shown.

[0022] Figures 4a to 4c The hinge assembly is shown in the open position. Figure 4a ) via the middle position ( Figure 4b The side view is moved to the fully closed position (4c). Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Hinge assembly 10 is shown. It is operable to support a first furniture piece 12a on a second furniture piece 12b. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm 14 and a hinge cup 16. A link assembly is disposed between the hinge cup 16 and the hinge arm 14.

[0024] The linkage assembly includes four links. A first link 18 and a second link 20 are pivotally connected to a hinge arm 14. A third link 22 and a fourth link 24 are pivotally connected to a hinge cup 16. In the linkage assembly, the second link is pivotally connected to the third link, while the fourth link is pivotally connected to the first and second links. In this way, the hinge arm 14 and the hinge cup 16 are connected via a seven-axis linkage assembly.

[0025] A damper assembly 26 is also provided, which in Figures 3a to 3e As shown in the image. Figure 3a and 3b This shows an assembled damper assembly with the linear damper held in place. Figures 3c to 3e The three components of damper assembly 26 are shown separately to facilitate a better understanding of the structure. Damper assembly 26 includes a linear damper 28, which includes a housing 30. (As shown...) Figure 3c As shown, the housing 30 includes a flange 32, and the flange 32 further includes a protrusion 34.

[0026] The piston rod 36 protrudes from the housing 30. The piston rod 36 is operable to reciprocate in and out of the housing in a known manner to provide a damping function.

[0027] The damper assembly includes a damper support unit 38. The damper support unit 38 includes two housing portions 38a and 38b. These are located within... Figure 3a and 3b The first housing portion 38a is shown as joined together. It is pivotally connected to the first rod 18 at pivot point 46. The first housing portion 38a is as follows... Figure 3d As shown. The second housing portion 38b is pivotally connected to the second rod 20 at pivot point 48. The second housing portion 38b is as follows: Figure 3e As shown. Thus, in total, the linkage assembly comprises nine pivots.

[0028] It should be noted that the damper assembly is connected between two rods that are themselves connected to the hinge arm 14, but not the hinge cup 16. Therefore, the hinge assembly 10 is less prone to springback during high-energy closure.

[0029] The first and second housing portions 38a and 38b are configured to slide together, as... Figure 2 As shown. In the example shown, the first housing portion 38a includes a pair of outwardly projecting flanges 40 located on either side of the housing. These flanges 40 engage with grooves 42 on the second housing portion 38b. Thus, the flanges 40 are operable to slide along the grooves 42.

[0030] The linear damper 28 is held between the two parts of the damper support unit 38, but is able to slide relative to the two parts.

[0031] The second support housing 38b includes a hole 44, sized to accommodate a protrusion 34 on the flange 32 of the damper housing 30. The protrusion is slidable along the hole 44 to define a travel path. This travel path restricts the movement of the linear damper 28 within the damper support unit 38. Alternatively, the protrusion 34 may be located on the second support portion 38b, while the hole is located on the damper housing 30.

[0032] The second support housing 38b includes a surface 50 operable to engage with the piston rod 36. When the damper support units 38 are pressed together during the closure of the hinge assembly 10, the surface 50 of the second support housing 38b pushes the piston rod 36 into the damper housing 30.

[0033] The shape of the first outer casing portion 38a allows it to engage with the flange 32 of the damper housing 30. Figure 3d The illustrated embodiment includes a U-shaped cross-section. However, any configuration that 1) suitably engages with the damper housing 30 to prevent relative movement between the damper housing 30 and the first housing support 38a, and 2) slidably engages with the second support housing 38b, will be sufficient. During hinge assembly 10 closure, the first and second housing portions 38a, 38b are slid together, with flange 32 engaging with the first housing portion 38a, thereby preventing relative movement between the linear damper 28 and the first housing portion 38a. Accordingly, the damper is locked against the first housing portion 38a such that the surface 50 of the second support housing 38b is operable to press the piston rod 36 of the damper 28.

[0034] Figures 4a to 4c The operation of hinge assembly 10 is shown. Figure 4a The hinge assembly is shown in the open position (approximately 90°). Figure 4c The fully closed position is shown. Figure 4b The middle position is displayed.

[0035] like Figure 4a As shown, the distance between the pivot points 46 and 48 of the corresponding damper support portions 38a and 38b is at its maximum. Accordingly, the housing portions 38a and 38b are slid apart. The engagement of the protrusion in the hole ensures that the linear damper 28 is maintained such that the piston rod 36 is in contact with the surface 50. In a variant, the piston rod 36 can directly engage a portion of the second rod 20. When the hinge assembly 10 is closed, the linkage moves, causing the pivot points 46 and 48 to move closer together. Accordingly, the two portions of the damper support housing are compressed, causing the two components to slide together.

[0036] exist Figure 4b During the closing action, the flange 32 of the damper housing engages with the first support housing 38b. The first damper support portion 38a is thus positioned to push the damper against the surface 50 of the second support housing 38b.

[0037] Hinge assembly 10 in Figure 4c The hinge is shown in its closed position. The linkage assembly has fully engaged the two parts of the damper support unit 38. In other words, the two parts have slid completely together, such that the flange 40 is fully inserted into the groove 42. The flange 32 engages with the first support housing 38a, and the surface 50 engages with the piston rod to press the piston rod into the damper housing. Thus, the damping action of the hinge assembly is performed.

[0038] It should be understood that in the open position, a gap G is formed between lever 20 and lever 22. The gap is... Figure 1 Indicated. When hinge assembly 10 is closed, clearance G is closed. By positioning the damper support housing in a position that eliminates clearance G, potential pinch point damage can be avoided.

[0039] By positioning the damper assembly below rod 22, debris can be prevented from entering the damper assembly, thereby extending its service life.

[0040] Furthermore, because the damper is positioned below the linkage assembly, it occupies less space in the furniture unit to which it is attached.

[0041] The foregoing is provided by way of example only, and the appended claims contemplate many variations.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly (10), comprising: A first assembly (14); a second assembly (16); and a linkage assembly including at least seven hinge axes, wherein the linkage assembly includes two rods (18, 20) directly pivotally mounted to the first assembly (14), wherein the hinge assembly further includes a damping device (26) pivotally mounted between the two rods. The damping device (26) is supported by a damper support unit (38), which includes a first part and a second part (38a, 38b), and the first part and the second part are pivotally connected to a corresponding one of the two rods (18, 20); The first portion (38b) of the damper support unit (38) includes a surface (50) operable to engage with the piston rod (36) of the damping device (26), and the second portion (38a) of the damper support unit (38) is configured to push the damping device (26) against the surface (50).

2. A hinge assembly (10), comprising: A first assembly (14); a second assembly (16); and a linkage assembly including at least seven hinge axes, wherein the linkage assembly includes two rods (18, 20) directly pivotally mounted to the first assembly (14), wherein the hinge assembly further includes a damping device (26) pivotally mounted between the two rods. The damping device (26) is supported by a damper support unit (38), which is positioned below at least a portion of the link assembly. The linkage assembly includes a third rod (22) pivotally connected to the second assembly (16), and the damper support unit is positioned below the third rod. The damper support unit (38) is configured to block the gap between one of the two rods that is directly pivotally mounted to the first assembly (14) and the third rod (22).

3. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first assembly part (14) is a hinge arm, and the second assembly part (16) is a hinge cup.

4. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The pivot fitting of the damping device (26) is different from the seven pivots of the link assembly.

5. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The damper support unit (38) is positioned below at least a portion of the link assembly.

6. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The linkage assembly includes a third rod (22) pivotally connected to the second assembly (16), wherein the damper support unit (38) is positioned below the third rod (22).

7. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The first part (38b) and the second part (38a) of the damper support unit (38) are slidably engaged with each other.

8. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The damping device (26) is operable to slide relative to the damper support unit (38).

9. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein, One or both of the damping device (26) or the damper support unit (38) include a component that restricts the travel path of the damping device (26) relative to the damper support unit (38).

10. The hinge assembly (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The damper support unit (38) is configured to block the gap between one of the two rods and the third rod (22) that are directly pivotally mounted to the first assembly (14).

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