Furniture Hinge With Selective Rotating Damper
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture hinges with dampening elements are often bulky, expensive to implement, and require separate stockage of dampening and non-dampening versions due to integral design, which affects manufacturing efficiency and storage needs.
Innovation Solution
A selectively dampened hinge design featuring a rotating damper that can be activated or deactivated by a cam screw, allowing for adjustable dampening action and optional bidirectional functionality, with a compact form factor that can be easily assembled and integrated into furniture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dampening element is integrated into the hinge during manufacturing, then dampening functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into separate functional modules: a link member with a recess and a separate dampening element. The dampening element can be inserted into the recess after manufacturing, allowing the hinge body to be produced independently without complex integrated dampening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening element is extracted from the main hinge body as a separate component. This allows the hinge to be manufactured without the dampening functionality, and the dampening element can be added later if needed, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If a piston-cylinder dampening element is used, then effective dampening is achieved, but the hinge occupies more space and has larger dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element is designed to fit within a recess of the link member, nesting the dampening functionality inside the existing hinge structure. This minimizes the overall volume increase while maintaining dampening effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening element uses a simple spring mechanism rather than a complex piston-cylinder system. The spring can be compressed within a small space, achieving dampening with minimal volume occupation.
3Reliability
If the dampening element is permanently integrated into the hinge, then dampening is always available, but inventory storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system becomes dynamic in its functionality - it can be configured with or without the dampening element depending on the application. The separate dampening element can be selectively inserted or removed, allowing furniture manufacturers to stock only the basic hinge and add dampening functionality only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The link member with the recess serves multiple purposes: it provides structural connection and also accepts the dampening element when required. This universal design allows the same hinge base to function both with and without dampening, reducing the need for separate inventory types.
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 provides precise and adjustable dampening action, reducing manufacturing costs and storage needs while allowing users to choose between dampened and non-dampened functionality, enhancing user flexibility and reducing component inventory.
Implementation Method 1
a basically helical-shaped spring (7) with end arms (7A, 7B) and a protruding intermediate portion (7C) is interposed therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a rotating damper (55), of a type known by itself and provided with a body (56) having a toothed perimetrical surface (57) directly co-operating with the wings (52)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hinge (1) for pieces of furniture comprises a first end portion or body (2) suitable for being coupled with either a structure, be it a side or an upright, of a piece of furniture, or a door movable with respect to such structure, a link member (3), subject to a spring (7) and connected to such first hinge portion (2) and suitable for being connected to a second hinge portion (4) coupled with the other of said structure, such as a side or an upright, and said door, said link member (3) comprising first and second interconnected elements (5, 6) connected to the first and the second hinge portion (2, 4) respectively, a dampening element (8) being provided, suitable for braking at least the closing movement of the hinge (1) whereby the door moves towards the structure of the piece of furniture, such dampening element (8) being associated with the second element (6) of the link member (3) of the hinge; such dampening element being a rotating damper suitable for cooperating with a gear element integral with the first element (5) of the link member (3), said rotating damper and said gear element being connected to each other in a selectively connectable manner.