Adjustable Damping Hinge Mechanism for Furniture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damping devices for furniture parts require an extra operation to activate the damping function, which is inconvenient and lacks user control over the damping mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A damping device for a hinge assembly that includes a housing with a chamber, a spring for pivotal movement, a maintaining member with a damper and an adjustment member. The adjustment member can be moved to toggle the damping function on or off by contacting different portions on the maintaining member, allowing user control over the damping mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the damping function is activated by forcing the fluid chamber to move to the end having the piston, then the damping function can be achieved, but an extra operation action is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly automatically activates the damping function when the arm closes relative to the housing, without requiring any additional operation from the user. The damper is designed to engage automatically through the relative motion between the arm and housing, eliminating the need for manual activation while ensuring reliable damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member is pre-positioned to allow automatic engagement of the damper during the closing motion. The protruded portion of the adjustment member is strategically located so that when the arm closes relative to the housing, the damper is pushed and the piston rod automatically contacts the adjustment member, preparing the damping mechanism in advance without requiring separate activation steps.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the slider is positioned by contact between the locking element and locking member, then the slider can be held in position, but the slider cannot protrude automatically which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly automatically protrudes the damper during the closing motion without requiring manual intervention. The relative motion between the arm and housing self-activates the damping mechanism by pushing the damper and enabling the piston rod to contact the adjustment member, eliminating the need for separate protrusion actions while maintaining stable positioning through the locking mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment member is moved to toggle the damping function on or off, then user control over the damping mechanism is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member provides dynamic control of the damping function, allowing users to switch between enabled and disabled states. The movable adjustment member with its protruded portion creates an adjustable interaction point for the piston rod, enabling flexible control of the damping mechanism while integrating smoothly into the existing hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member serves multiple functions: it acts as a control element for enabling/disabling the damping function, a positioning element for the piston rod contact, and an integral part of the maintaining member assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite adding user control capability.
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
Enables easy and convenient activation or deactivation of the damping function, allowing users to choose when to engage the damping mechanism, ensuring smooth and quiet operation of doors or cabinets.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is located in the chamber to provide to allow the pivotal movement between the housing and the arm
Implementation Method 2
a damper is located in the path. The damper has a piston rod... so that the piston rod of the damper contacts the protruded portion of the adjustment member and retracts to perform damping function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hinge assembly includes a housing (10), an arm (12) and at least one spring (14). A damping device includes a damper (18), a maintaining member (16) and an adjustment member (20). The damper (18) is installed to the housing (10) and has a piston rod (76). The maintaining member (16) is secured in the chamber (36) of the housing (10) and has a path (72) in which the damper (18) is located. The adjustment member (20) is movably connected to the maintaining member (16) and has a protruded portion (92) located corresponding to the piston rod (76) of the damper (18). When the adjustment member (20) is moved to a first position relative to the maintaining member (16), the protruded portion (92) of the adjustment member (20) is located toward the piston rod (76) of the damper (18). When the housing (10) is closed relative to the arm (12), the damper (18) is pushed by the arm (12) so that the piston rod (76) contacts the protruded portion (92) and retracts to perform damping function. When the adjustment member (20) is moved to a second position relative to the maintaining member (16), the protruded portion (92) of the adjustment member (20) is moved away from the piston rod (76) of the damper (18). The piston rod (76) of the damper (18) cannot contact the protruded portion (92) of the adjustment member (20) and no damping function is available.