Concealed Hinge Curved Guide Paths Edge Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concealed hinges in furniture often require slots to be made close to the edge of the jamb or door, leading to weakened edges and potential breakage, and their design restricts the thickness of materials, making them unsuitable for plasterboard or dry walls, and limits the depth and width of the hinge body, affecting stability and strength.

Innovation Solution

A concealed hinge design with guide paths that are not straight, allowing for a greater distance from the edge and reduced dimensions of the hinge bodies, enabling deeper and wider slots without compromising strength or stability, and incorporating adjustable features to adapt to various installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If slots are made close to the edge of the jamb or door to accommodate concealed hinges, then the hinge can be installed with reduced overall size, but the edges become weakened and prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge sizeVSAvoidedge strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved guide paths within the hinge mechanism instead of straight lines. This curvature allows the hinge bodies to be positioned deeper within the jambs and doors, moving the slot locations away from the vulnerable edges while maintaining compact external dimensions. The curved motion paths enable the same functional range with reduced edge proximity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional hinge design to a three-dimensional configuration by utilizing depth within the jamb and door structures. The curved guide paths extend into the third dimension, allowing the hinge mechanism to occupy space deeper within the structure rather than being constrained to surface-level installation, thereby increasing the distance from edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If hinge bodies are made with reduced dimensions to fit within furniture structures, then the aesthetic factor is improved and overall size is minimized, but the stability and strength of the hinge are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge body dimensionsVSAvoidhinge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The curved guide paths create a more efficient mechanical leverage system that distributes forces more evenly throughout the hinge mechanism. This curvature allows for compact body dimensions while maintaining structural integrity through optimized force distribution along the curved motion paths, preventing stress concentration that would compromise stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge design incorporates counterbalancing elements within the compact bodies that offset the reduced structural mass. The curved guide paths and internal mechanisms are arranged to create counterbalancing force distributions that maintain stability despite the smaller overall dimensions of the hinge bodies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Ease of operation

If slots are made at limited distance from the outer edge (around 4mm) to enable smooth door movement, then the hinge operation is optimized, but the gap between door and jamb during closing is reduced which may cause interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement smoothnessVSAvoidgap between door and jamb

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the third dimension (depth within the jamb and door) to resolve the conflict between edge proximity and door-gap clearance. By positioning hinge bodies deeper within the structures and using curved guide paths, the mechanism achieves smooth operation without requiring the slot to be positioned close to the outer edge, thereby maintaining adequate door-to-jamb gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Length of stationary object

If the hinge design is optimized for reduced dimensions, then it can be installed in thinner jambs and plasterboard walls, but the depth and width of the hinge body are limited affecting its strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejamb thicknessVSAvoidhinge body strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The curved guide paths are particularly advantageous in thin jamb applications as they maximize the mechanical advantage within limited depth space. The curvature allows the hinge to achieve full functional range of motion while occupying minimal depth within the jamb, and the force distribution along the curved paths maintains strength despite the constrained dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2912248B1Concealed hinge for furniture doors and doors

Publication Date: 2017.03.29 ANSELMI & C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a concealed hinge for furniture doors and doors and windows comprising two fixed bodies which will be mounted on the jamb and on the openable door, two arms connecting the two bodies, where each of the two arms has one end pivoted to one of the two bodies and the opposite end is engaged in a guide path of the other body, of which at least one of said guide paths is not straight.