Compact Damped Hinge With Hidden Damper and Simple Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damped hinges for furniture doors suffer from aesthetic issues due to exposed dampers and require complex assembly, with activation mechanisms that are cumbersome and not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A compact damped hinge design utilizing a shaped elastic sheet integrated with connecting rods to transform rotary motion into linear motion, activating a damper device for controlled door closure without visible components, simplifying assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damper device is added to slow down door closure, then the door closing movement is braked and banging is prevented, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to exposed dampers
Solution Approach 1:
The damper device is nested within the hinge structure itself, with the damper piston and fluid reservoir integrated into the hinge body. The hinge flap and fixing plate contain the damper components, allowing the damping function to be hidden within the existing aesthetic form factor of the hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping function is merged with the hinge structure by integrating the damper piston, fluid reservoir, and hinge components into a single unified assembly. The elastic sheet and connecting rods work together with the damper to provide both the snap-action closing and the damping control within one compact unit.
2Reliability
If a damper device is added to slow down door closure, then the door closing movement is braked and banging is prevented, but the assembly complexity increases due to drilling and adaptation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The damper device is combined with the hinge components into a single integrated assembly that can be installed as one unit. The hinge flap, fixing plate, elastic sheet, connecting rods, and damper form a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate damper installation and complex drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to be self-contained with the damper function built-in, requiring no additional adaptation operations or complex assembly steps. The elastic sheet and connecting rods are pre-configured to automatically engage and disengage the damper piston during normal hinge operation.
3Extent of automation
If complex mechanisms with gears or transmission systems are used to activate the damper, then the damper can be activated using spring force, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper activation is achieved through the natural motion of the hinge components themselves. The elastic sheet and connecting rods automatically compress and extend the damper piston during normal hinge opening and closing operations, eliminating the need for separate activation mechanisms or complex transmission systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex gear or transmission system is extracted and replaced with a direct mechanical linkage using the elastic sheet and connecting rods. The damper piston is directly connected to the hinge components, allowing simple linear motion to directly activate the damping function without intermediate transmission elements.
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
The design provides a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-assemble hinge that effectively slows door closure without visible dampers, enhancing user experience and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a shaped elastic sheet (31) which transforms the rotary movement of the lower connecting rod (23) into a linear movement
Implementation Method 2
a damper device (28) which dampens and/or slows down the closing movement of the door
Implementation Method 3
damping devices which damp and/or slow down the closing movement of the door
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3B
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The present invention refers to a compact damped hinge, particularly for opening and closing furniture doors.