Furniture Hinge Locking Contour Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing furniture hinge locking devices can be unintentionally released, leading to abrupt loosening of components and potential crashes, causing damage to objects, persons, and the furniture part.

Innovation Solution

A two-part locking contour with a stationary first member and a movable second member, configured to hold the holding portion in a form-locking and force-locking manner, ensuring that the components remain locked until an intentional release movement is performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a spring-loaded tensioning lever with a single movable locking element is used, then the locking device can be easily actuated and assembled, but the locking can be unintentionally released causing abrupt loosening and potential crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of actuationVSAvoidlocking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking contour is divided into two separate members: a stationary first member and a movable second member. This segmentation creates a dual-member locking mechanism where the holding portion is simultaneously engaged by both members, providing form-locking and force-locking while preventing unintentional release through the distributed locking action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary first member acts as a pre-positioned safety element that holds the holding portion in place. Even if the movable second member is accidentally actuated, the stationary first member maintains the locked position, cushioning against the harmful effect of unintentional release before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Device complexity

If a single movable locking element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the locking can be abruptly released causing damage to objects, persons and furniture parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism structureVSAvoidcrash damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking contour is divided into two separate members: a stationary first member and a movable second member. This segmentation creates a dual-member locking mechanism where the holding portion is simultaneously engaged by both members, providing form-locking and force-locking while preventing unintentional release through the distributed locking action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary first member acts as a pre-positioned safety element that holds the holding portion in place. Even if the movable second member is accidentally actuated, the stationary first member maintains the locked position, cushioning against the harmful effect of unintentional release before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a two-part locking contour with stationary and movable members is used, then unintentional release is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two members of the locking contour (stationary first member and movable second member) are integrated into a single locking device that acts on one holding portion. This merging approach achieves reliable dual-member locking without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as both members work together on the same locking interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary first member and movable second member serve multiple functions: the stationary member provides form-locking and safety backup, while the movable member provides force-locking and controlled actuation. This multi-functionality allows two members to achieve reliable locking without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12000189B2Hinge assembly

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 JULIUS BLUM GMBH

AI summary

A hinge assembly includes a mounting body to be fixed to a furniture carcass, a furniture hinge having two fitting portions connected to one another via at least one hinge axis, and a locking device for locking one of the fitting portions of the furniture hinge to the mounting body. The locking device includes at least one holding portion having an outer contour, and a locking contour corresponding thereto. The locking contour includes at least one stationary first member and at least one second member configured to be moved, preferably pivotally, relative to the first member. The at least one holding portion is received between the two members of the locking contour in a locked position.