Coplanar Door Mechanism for Wall-Mounted Furnishing Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door integration solutions fail to achieve full integration with furnishing elements due to hinges being positioned far from the plane of the door, requiring fixation to masonry walls and affecting aesthetic integration.

Innovation Solution

A coplanar door mechanism with a hinge axis positioned closer to the plane of the furnishing element, allowing the door to rotate coplanar with the furnishing element, using mechanism elements that couple parallel and perpendicular to the door axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the door hinges are arranged on the masonry wall, then the door can be fixed to existing walls, but the hinge axis is positioned far from the plane of the furnishing element, preventing full integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor fixation to existing wallsVSAvoidcoplanarity with furnishing element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism transitions from a single-plane arrangement (hinge on wall) to a multi-dimensional configuration where the hinge axis is offset from the door plane by a distance equal to the thickness of the furnishing element panel. This dimensional shift allows the door to rotate in a plane coplanar with the furnishing element while the hinge mechanism itself is mounted on the wall, resolving the contradiction between easy fixation and coplanarity.

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

2Shape

If the door is positioned very close to the furnishing element, then integration is improved, but the hinge axis cannot be positioned close to the plane of the furnishing element without complex mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration with furnishing elementVSAvoidhinge mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary offset hinge mechanism that acts as a mediator between the wall-mounted fixation point and the door. This intermediate hinge structure, positioned at a distance from the door equal to the panel thickness, allows the door to be mounted close to the furnishing element while maintaining a simple hinge mechanism, avoiding the need for complex offset hinge designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the hinge axis is positioned far from the plane of the furnishing element, then installation on existing walls is simplified, but aesthetic integration is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation on existing wallsVSAvoidaesthetic integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves the hinge mechanism to a different dimensional plane - mounting it on the wall at a distance from the door rather than directly on the door or requiring complex offset mechanisms. This dimensional repositioning achieves both easy wall installation and aesthetic coplanarity, as the hinge axis ends up in the same plane as the furnishing element front surface.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4636207A1Coplanar door mechanism and coplanar door comprising such a mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 VENETA CUCINE
  • EP4636207A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4636207A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4636207A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A coplanar door mechanism (12) comprises a first mechanism element (14) and a second mechanism element (16). The first mechanism element (14) and the second mechanism element (16) are adapted to be arranged on a door (18) at opposite edges (20,22). The first mechanism element (14) and the second mechanism element (16) define a hinge axis (x). The first mechanism element (14) is adapted to couple with a furnishing element (24) according to a direction parallel to the axis (x) above said door (18). The second mechanism element (16) is adapted to couple with a furnishing element (23) according to a direction perpendicular to the axis (x) laterally to the door (18).