Furniture Hinge Assembly With Integrated Pivot Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges for furniture with front frames are complex, costly, and suffer from imprecision in adjustment due to the use of transversal pins and screws, leading to resistance issues and non-compact designs.

Innovation Solution

The hinge design features hinging projections on the intermediate plate that engage rotatably with the hinge arm, eliminating the need for a transversal pin, and an adjusting screw mechanism that ensures precise and secure alignment without axial displacement, allowing for compact and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a transversal pin is used to connect the intermediate plate and hinge arm, then the hinge achieves structural stability, but the hinge becomes more complex and less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the transversal pin from the hinge assembly and replaces it with hinging projections that are integrated directly into the intermediate plate. This extraction of the separate pin component simplifies the overall structure, reduces the number of parts, and eliminates the need for additional connecting elements while maintaining the functional connection between the intermediate plate and hinge arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinging projections are fashioned in a single piece with the intermediate plate, merging the function of the connection element with the plate itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate pins and reduces assembly steps, directly addressing the complexity issue while preserving structural stability through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the adjusting screw engages with the hinge arm at an opening, then adjustment is enabled, but imprecision and resistance problems occur

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the engagement parameters by changing from a screw-thread opening interface to a threaded hole interface. The adjusting screw engages with a threaded hole in the hinge arm, providing precise rotational control and eliminating the imprecision associated with edge engagement. This parameter change in the engagement mechanism directly improves adjustment precision while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If multiple connecting means are used between base plate, intermediate plate, and hinge arm, then structural resistance is achieved, but the hinge becomes less compact and more costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural resistanceVSAvoidhinge compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the transversal pin connecting means, reducing the number of components required to achieve structural resistance. By removing this separate element and integrating its function into the hinging projections, the overall hinge volume is reduced while maintaining necessary strength through the optimized integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connecting functions are merged into integrated structures. The hinging projections combine the functions of connection, rotation, and structural support that were previously distributed across multiple separate components. This merging reduces the total volume occupied by connecting elements while preserving structural resistance through the unified design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2726691B1A hinge for pieces of furniture with a frame
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 ARTURO SALICE SPA
  • EP2726691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2726691B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2726691B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The hinge (10) for mounting a door on a piece of furniture provided with a front frame comprises a base plate (17) fixable to the front frame (11) of the piece of furniture, an intermediate plate (18) slidably connected to the base plate (17) and movable by an adjusting cam (19), a hinge arm (20) connected to the intermediate plate (18) swingably according to a transversal axis and mobile by means of an adjusting screw (21); the intermediate plate (18), at a rear end thereof, exhibits side wings (22) having hinging projections (23) which project on opposite sides according to the transversal axis so as to engage rotatably in rear side holes (24) of the hinge arm (20). The base plate (17) exhibits retaining side parts for the intermediate plate (18), conformed and arranged such as to retain the side edges of the intermediate plate (18) in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal extension plane of the base plate (17).