Article of furniture with hinge assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture joint arrangements for height adjustment require significant space and device technology effort, compromising both aesthetics and operational safety, especially when tilted, leading to accidental adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A joint arrangement with a coupling link mechanism and a pretensioning device, featuring a locking device that securely locks the support legs in the higher position to prevent accidental pivoting, allowing manual release for height adjustment, and utilizing a compact design with a transversely offset pretensioning device and locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a joint arrangement with coupling link mechanism and pretensioning device is used for height adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coupling link mechanism and pretensioning device into an integrated joint arrangement that synchronizes the pivoting of two pairs of support legs while maintaining compact dimensions. The coupling arm with pivoting links is merged with the pretensioning device in a transverse offset arrangement, creating a unified structure that achieves both ease of operation and space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint arrangement employs dynamic elements including a pivoting coupling arm, movable pivoting links, and a pretensioning device that can be manually released. These dynamic components enable smooth transitions between height positions while the locking mechanism provides stability when positioned, creating a system that is both easy to operate and structurally sound.
2Reliability
If a locking device is added to prevent accidental adjustments, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically engage when the support legs reach their upper position, eliminating the need for separate manual locking actions. The device serves itself by using the positional information of the support legs to trigger the locking mechanism, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device prevents accidental adjustments by being pre-positioned to engage at the upper position of the support legs. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any unintended forces that might cause the legs to pivot downward, ensuring reliability while maintaining a relatively simple structure through automatic engagement.
3Area of stationary object
If the joint arrangement is designed to be compact, then the area occupied is reduced, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the coupling link mechanism and pretensioning device in a transverse offset configuration, utilizing the transverse dimension to achieve compactness in the vertical and horizontal planes. This dimensional arrangement reduces the overall area occupied while providing sufficient space for the manufacturing and integration of the various components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling link arrangement and locking device are nested within each other in a compact configuration, with the pretensioning device positioned in transverse offset from the coupling arm. This nesting approach minimizes the overall footprint while maintaining manufacturability by allowing sequential assembly of the nested components.
4Volume of moving object
If the pretensioning device is positioned in transverse offset from the coupling link arrangement, then the volume occupied is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint arrangement is segmented into distinct functional modules: the coupling link mechanism for synchronizing support leg pivoting, the pretensioning device for maintaining position, and the locking device for preventing accidental changes. The transverse offset positioning of these segments reduces volumetric interference while allowing each module to be manufactured and assembled relatively independently, managing complexity through modular segmentation.
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
Enhances operational safety and aesthetic appeal by preventing accidental adjustments while allowing easy height adjustment, meeting high-quality furniture standards and occupational safety requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring, which is attached to a frame or base of the piece of furniture, engages in the connection area between the coupling arm and one of the pivoting arms
Implementation Method 2
the two pairs of support legs are held against the stops in the two positions (normal position, crossover position) by a preload of the tension spring
Implementation Method 3
a coupling arm pivotally mounted on a base of the seating furniture, the end sections of which are each connected to a pivot link, which in turn engages one of the support legs
Implementation Method 4
The coupling arm and the two pivoting links connected to its end sections synchronize the pivoting movement of the two pairs of support legs
Implementation Method 5
a locking device that locks the support legs in the higher position to prevent accidental pivoting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge assembly and an article of furniture having such a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly serves to connect support legs to the article of furniture, wherein a coupling link assembly is provided to synchronize the pivoting movement of two associated support legs, which coupling link assembly is arranged so as to be offset from a preloading means via which the support legs are preloaded in two positions, preferably a normal position and a crossover position. According to the invention, the hinge assembly is detachably fixed in position in one of the positions, preferably the normal position via a blocking device, so that an inadvertent adjustment is prevented.