Furniture Hinge With Segmented Damping For Opening And Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges with damping devices face high load during opening movements, which can lead to damage if opened quickly, due to their multi-part design and lack of effective damping control throughout the entire range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a movable damping element that can be actuated via two separate elements for closing and opening movements, providing controlled damping before the maximum opening position is reached, with adjustable damping ranges and force distribution to prevent damage and improve handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping device is provided on a hinge part with a multi-part design, then closing damping can be achieved, but the load on the hinge part is comparatively high during opening movement and damage can occur if opened quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into two separate actuating elements: a first actuating element for closing damping and a second actuating element for opening damping. This segmentation allows independent control of damping forces for opening and closing movements, enabling the device to provide damping only when needed while reducing unnecessary load during opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device dynamically adapts its behavior based on the direction of movement. The first actuating element engages to provide closing damping when the hinge closes, while the second actuating element engages to provide opening damping when the hinge opens. This dynamic switching optimizes the force distribution and prevents excessive load during opening movements.
2Reliability
If a damping device provides damping throughout the entire range of motion, then damage prevention is improved, but handling becomes difficult due to continuous resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device applies damping forces only partially during the hinge's range of motion. The first actuating element provides closing damping only during the closing movement, and the second actuating element provides opening damping only during the opening movement. This partial action prevents continuous resistance that would hinder handling while still providing protection against damage.
3Ease of operation
If a multi-part design with separate actuating elements is used, then handling is improved through controlled damping, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device merges the closing damping and opening damping functions into a single integrated structure. Both the first and second actuating elements are incorporated into the same damping device housing, sharing common components such as the friction disk and mounting structure. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components compared to having entirely separate damping devices for opening and closing.
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 effectively brakes the opening and closing movements before maximum positions are reached, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing user handling by optimizing damping forces across various angles, ensuring smooth operation without unnecessary resistance in the middle range.
Implementation Method 1
The damping device comprises a rotatable friction disk which is rotated via an actuator and a slider when the hinge is closed. The rotation of the friction disk slows the closing movement and provides damping.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge (4) for furniture or domestic appliances, comprising a lateral part (5) on which a hinge part (7) is pivotally mounted via two levers (8, 9). A damping device (10) is provided having a movable damping element (20) which is mounted in a movable manner between guide elements (11, 30) for damping purposes and which can be moved via a first actuation element (51) during a closing movement of the hinge (4) before reaching the closed position. A second actuation element (52) is provided which pushes the damping element (20) during an opening movement of the hinge (4) before reaching the maximum opening position for damping an opening process. In this manner, the hinge (4) provides an opening as well as a closing damping function.