Furniture Hinge Elastic Opening Flat Fixed Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges with elastic opening means are not suitable for a type of hinge where the fixed part has a flat shape structure for insertion into the thickness of furniture walls, and rockers extend perpendicular to the articulation axes, requiring a new design for effective and concealed elastic action.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a flat-shaped fixed part with rockers and articulation axes, incorporating elastic opening means such as helical springs or torsion springs, and a transmission element like a lever or roller to provide effective elastic opening action, while maintaining a low profile and allowing for adjustments to ensure proper alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional V-shaped laminar springs or torsion springs are used to act on rockers extending along planes through articulation axes, then the spring can effectively open the door leaf, but the spring structure cannot be accommodated in the flat fixed part with rockers extending perpendicular to articulation axes
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission element (lever or roller) is introduced as an intermediary between the elastic opening means and the rocker. This mediator transfers the elastic force from the spring to the rocker, enabling the spring to be positioned in the flat fixed part while still achieving effective opening action on the door leaf.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is positioned in a different spatial arrangement relative to the rocker compared to conventional designs. Instead of the spring acting directly on the rocker along the articulation axis plane, the spring is arranged in the flat fixed part and transmits force through a separate transmission element, changing the dimensional relationship between components.
2Shape
If the fixed part has a flat shape structure for insertion into furniture wall thickness, then the hinge achieves concealed installation, but the elastic opening means require reduced encumbrance to be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into functionally independent segments: the flat fixed part for concealed installation, the movable part with rocker for door leaf connection, and the elastic opening means positioned in the flat fixed part. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic opening means are nested within the flat fixed part structure. The spring and transmission element are arranged to fit within the profile of the flat fixed part, utilizing the available space efficiently while maintaining the concealed installation appearance.
3Reliability
If the transmission element acts against a lateral contact surface of the rocker, then the elastic opening action is effective, but the construction requires precise alignment and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission element is designed with specific local geometric features (thrust surface shape, contact area) that are optimized for engaging the rocker's lateral contact surface. This localized optimization ensures reliable force transmission while providing built-in alignment guidance during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission element and rocker contact surfaces are pre-configured during manufacturing with precise geometries that ensure proper alignment during assembly. The thrust surface shape and contact area are designed to automatically guide alignment, reducing the need for high-precision manual positioning during installation.
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 achieves effective and concealed elastic opening with reduced encumbrance, requiring minimal construction modifications, and is reliable, easy to implement, and cost-effective, suitable for door leaves of furniture with a flat fixed part.
Implementation Method 1
hinge with elastic opening means for door leaves of furniture... hinges comprise a spring acting in the direction of opening
Implementation Method 2
the elastic opening means are preferably in the form of a helical spring (17) arranged in a seat (32) of the fixed part (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hinge (1) for door leaves of furniture and the like, which comprises a fixed part (2) that can be connected to a body of a piece of furniture and a movable part (5) that can be connected to a door leaf (7) of the piece of furniture, the fixed part (2) and the movable part (5) being mutually connected in an oscillating manner by way of an articulation system that comprises at least one articulation axis (11,12,13,14) and a rocker (9,10), the hinge (1) comprising elastic means (17,23) for opening the hinge which are functionally connected to the at least one rocker (9,10); the fixed part (2) of the hinge is shaped so that it can be inserted into a seat (3) defined within the thickness of an upper or lower wall (4) of a piece of furniture, the fixed part (2) and the at least one rocker (9,10) extending along a plane that is perpendicular to the at least one articulation axis, and further comprising a movable element (15,21) for transmission between the elastic opening means (17,23) and the at least one rocker (9,10), the transmission element (15,21) extending and being movable along the perpendicular plane and having a thrust surface (19,24) that is shaped and arranged in order to act against a lateral contact surface (20,25) of the rocker (9,10).