Cabinet Hinge Structure With 3-Axis Eccentric Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hinges lack adjustability, soft-closing, and swing retention, and are often bulky and unsightly when installed on cabinets.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with fore-aft, lateral, and vertical adjustment brackets and eccentric fasteners that allow for precise positioning and adjustment, featuring a fore-aft adjustment bracket, lateral adjustment bracket, and vertical adjustment bracket, along with eccentric fasteners to adjust the hinge's position on a cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hinge is installed on a cabinet to enable opening and closing, then the cabinet can be opened and closed, but the hinge may detach from the cabinet body during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge attachment reliabilityVSAvoidhinge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion, an arm portion, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability without requiring overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism employs a nested structure where the fastening portion fits into a corresponding recess in the cabinet body, creating a secure attachment. The resilient portion is nested within the fastening portion, providing automatic engagement and retention forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a simple hinge structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the hinge may detach from the cabinet body during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge structure complexityVSAvoidhinge attachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient portion automatically engages with the fastening portion through elastic deformation, creating a self-locking mechanism that secures the hinge to the cabinet body without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient portion is formed with a curved or bent geometry that allows it to flex and engage with the fastening portion. This curved structure provides mechanical advantage and ensures reliable retention through elastic recovery forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the hinge arm is positioned far from the cabinet body, then the opening and closing function is improved, but the hinge may detach more easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet opening and closingVSAvoidhinge attachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the opening and closing motion of the cabinet. This dimensional orientation provides lateral retention forces that prevent detachment while allowing full range of motion in the primary operating direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4623174B1Hinge and cabinet incorporating the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 RH US LLC
  • EP4623174B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4623174B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4623174B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A hinge includes a fore-aft adjustment bracket, a lateral adjustment bracket, and a vertical adjustment bracket including a fore-aft adjustment opening, a lateral adjustment opening, and a vertical adjustment opening, respectively. The hinge also includes an upper housing member coupled to the fore-aft adjustment bracket, and a lower housing member coupled to the lateral adjustment bracket and the vertical adjustment bracket. The hinge further includes a hinge pin accommodated in a hinge pin opening defined by the upper and lower housing members, a pair of guide pins accommodated in a pair of arcuate channels in the lower housing, and a fore-aft adjustment eccentric fastener, a lateral adjustment eccentric fastener, and a vertical adjustment eccentric fastener configured to extend into the fore-aft adjustment opening, the lateral adjustment opening, and the vertical adjustment opening, respectively.