Furniture Hinge Cross Element Guide for Precise Door Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture hinges fail to provide precise and reliable adjustment of the door positioning with respect to the shoulder of the piece of furniture, especially in high-end furniture applications.

Innovation Solution

A furniture hinge design featuring a cross element and cross guide mechanism, allowing for precise adjustment of the door positioning through sliding and calibration, ensuring accurate alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If adjustable hinges with multiple adjustment screws are used, then the door positioning can be adjusted, but the adjustment precision and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor positioning precisionVSAvoidadjustment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment system is segmented into two independent adjustment mechanisms: one for lateral positioning and another for vertical positioning. Each mechanism has its own adjustment screw and scale, allowing precise independent control of each dimension without interference from the other adjustment directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional complex mechanical adjustment systems with a simplified mechanism using a cross element sliding in a cross guide, combined with eccentric screws and scales. This substitution provides more precise and reliable adjustment while reducing mechanical complexity and potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If traditional hinge adjustment mechanisms are used, then basic positioning is possible, but misalignments occur during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cross element acts as an intermediary component that slides within the cross guide, mediating between the adjustment screws and the hinge bodies. This intermediary mechanism ensures precise alignment during adjustment by providing guided movement and eliminating direct contact between adjustment components and hinge bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge allows preliminary adjustment of the door positioning before final assembly and tightening. The adjustment screws can be modified while the hinge is installed, allowing for precise alignment to be achieved in situ without requiring pre-adjustment during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4223968B1Furniture hinge
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 MOLTENI & C
  • EP4223968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4223968B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4223968B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A hinge (1) for a piece of furniture (2) comprising at least one shoulder (3) and at least one door (4), said hinge (1) comprising a first hinge body (5) and a second hinge body (6), wherein the first hinge body (5) is connectable to the at least one shoulder (3) of the piece of furniture (2) and the second hinge body (6) is connectable to the at least one door (4) of the piece of furniture (2), wherein the first hinge body (5) and the second hinge body (6) are operatively connected to each other and relatively movable by means of adjustment means (7), wherein one of the first hinge body (5) and the second hinge body (6) comprises a cross element (8), and the other of the first hinge body (5) or the second hinge body (6) defines a cross guide (9), wherein the cross element (8) is housed in the cross guide (9), and wherein the cross element (8) slides in the cross guide (9) by means of the adjustment means (7).