Furniture Hinge With Independent Internal Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing invisible hinges for furniture doors suffer from noise due to elastic means causing door impact and require external deceleration devices that increase size and are inefficient, while solutions involving internal deceleration devices constrain rocker shapes or are not applicable to hinges without rockers.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with a deceleration device or elastic opening means internally integrated in the fixed and movable parts, operated independently of the articulation device, allowing for versatile and effective movement control without rocker constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic means are used to close the hinge, then the door can be kept in the closed position, but the door hits the furniture body causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
A deceleration device is integrated into the hinge to cushion the closing movement of the door before impact. The device includes a shock absorber with a piston and cylinder, where the piston moves within the cylinder during door closing, converting kinetic energy into thermal energy through viscous damping. This beforehand cushioning prevents the door from hitting the furniture body with full force, thereby eliminating noise while maintaining reliable closing retention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an external deceleration device is mounted on the fixed part, then the closing movement can be dampened, but the overall dimensions of the fixed part increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration device is nested within the existing hinge structure. The shock absorber is housed inside the fixed part of the hinge, with the piston and cylinder arranged to fit within the available space. This nesting approach allows the deceleration function to be integrated without increasing the overall dimensions of the fixed part, as the device utilizes the existing hinge volume rather than adding external protrusions.
3Ease of operation
If the movable part contacts the actuation portion only in the last degrees of closing, then the deceleration device can be operated, but the deceleration effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration device is activated during the entire closing movement of the door, not just in the last degrees. The piston is positioned and configured to engage with the movable part early in the closing process, allowing the deceleration effect to build up progressively. This preliminary action ensures that the deceleration force is applied continuously throughout the closing motion, maximizing the deceleration effectiveness rather than waiting for the final stage of closing.
4Volume of moving object
If the deceleration device is housed inside the fixed part and operated by rockers, then the hinge remains compact, but the shape of rockers is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration device is extracted from the rocker-operated mechanism and made independent of the articulation device. The drive member is supported in a movable way by one of the fixed part or movable part and is operatively connected independently from the articulation device. This extraction allows the rockers to maintain their traditional shapes and movements without being constrained by the deceleration device requirements, while the deceleration function is achieved through the independent drive member mechanism.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the deceleration device is operated independently of the articulation device, then rocker shape constraints are eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration device is merged with the existing hinge structure by integrating the shock absorber within the fixed part and using the movable part's natural movement to drive the piston. The drive member is supported in a movable way by one of the fixed part or movable part and is operatively connected independently from the articulation device. This merging approach allows the deceleration function to be achieved using the existing hinge components and their natural movements, thereby avoiding the need for additional complex mechanisms while maintaining rocker shape freedom.
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 hinge provides silent operation and versatile adjustment, applicable to various hinge configurations, including those without rockers, by integrating the deceleration device internally and operating it independently of the articulation system.
Implementation Method 1
a movement control device to control the closing/opening movement of the hinge and a drive member for the movement control device, said movement control device being in particular in the form of a deceleration device to decelerate the closing and/or opening movement of the hinge
Implementation Method 2
of an elastic device to open the hinge
Data Source
AI summary
The hinge (1) for furniture comprises a substantially flat-shaped fixed part (2) conformed to be inserted in a seat (3) provided within the thickness of a horizontal wall (4) of the piece of furniture and a movable part (5) connectable to a door (7); the hinge (1) comprises a movement control device (39) for controlling the closing/opening movement of the hinge (1) completely arranged within said fixed part (2) or movable part (5) of the hinge, and a drive member (40) for driving the movement control device (39), movably supported by the other of said fixed part (2) and movable part (5) of the hinge and operatively connected or actuated by the hinge part (2, 5) in which the movement control device (39) is arranged, said drive member (40) cooperating with the movement control device (39) independently from the articulation device (11-14, 54) of the hinge.