Furniture Lid Fitting with Eccentric Inclination Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cover fittings for furniture lack a simple and compact mechanism to adjust the inclination of the front connection element relative to the base element, limiting flexibility in positioning the cover element.

Innovation Solution

A cover fitting design featuring an eccentric mechanism that allows for adjustable inclination by rotating the eccentric relative to the swivel arm, requiring different torques to adjust the position of the cover element, utilizing a four-bar mechanism and a pressure element with a roller to apply force, ensuring the cover can be positioned optimally without additional hinges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional hinge mechanism is used to mount the lid, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the inclination of the lid relative to the furniture body cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of lid inclinationVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing an adjustable mounting mechanism that allows the lid's inclination to be changed. The front connection element can be positioned at different locations on the arc-shaped adjustment path, enabling dynamic adjustment of the lid's angle relative to the furniture body. This transforms a static hinge connection into a dynamic, adjustable connection that adapts to different positioning needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs the dimensionality change principle by introducing an arc-shaped adjustment path that adds a rotational dimension to the mounting mechanism. Instead of a simple linear connection, the eccentric mechanism allows movement along a curved path, enabling the lid to achieve multiple inclination angles. This adds a new degree of freedom to the mounting system without significantly increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment screws and complex connection elements are used to adjust cover position, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the device becomes more complex and requires tools for assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibility of cover elementVSAvoidease of assembly and adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adjustment function from complex multi-screw mechanisms and consolidates it into a single eccentric mechanism. The eccentric's rotational movement alone provides the adjustment capability, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment screws and complex connection elements. This simplifies both the structure and the operation, allowing single-handed adjustment without tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The eccentric mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting through simple rotational movement. The pressure element automatically maintains contact with the arc-shaped adjustment path, and the mechanism's own geometry provides the adjustment capability without requiring external adjustment tools or complex control systems. The lid's weight and the spring force work together to maintain proper engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If a compact fitting structure is used to mount the lid, then space efficiency is improved, but the mechanism for adjusting lid inclination becomes more difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompactness of fitting structureVSAvoidcomplexity of inclination adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single compact eccentric mechanism. The eccentric simultaneously provides the adjustment capability, maintains connection between the lid and furniture body, and enables movement along the arc-shaped path. This consolidation achieves the adjustment function within a compact structure without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The eccentric mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the lid's inclination, maintains the connection between the lid and furniture body, and guides the movement along the arc-shaped path. This multi-functional design achieves the adjustment capability within a compact structure, avoiding the need for additional dedicated adjustment mechanisms that would increase overall size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy adjustment of the cover element's inclination relative to the furniture body, providing a compact and flexible solution for various positioning needs without additional fittings, ensuring secure closure and optimal alignment.

Implementation Method 1

an eccentric (6) which is about a bearing axis (L) rotatably mounted on the base element (2); the first swivel arm (4) is mounted on the eccentric (6) so that it can pivot about an eccentric axis (E)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 2

a pressure element (16) with a roller (17) with which the pressure element (16) is supported against the first swivel arm (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force application: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3623559B1Lid fitting for swingable mounting of a lid to a furniture unit
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 FLAP COMPETENCE CENT KFT
  • EP3623559B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3623559B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Lid fitting (1) for pivotally attaching a lid to a furniture carcass (8), wherein the lid fitting (1) comprises: a base element (2) for mounting the lid fitting (1) to a side wall (7) of the furniture carcass (8), a front connection element (3) for mounting a lid element (9) to the lid fitting (1), a first pivot arm (4) which is pivotably attached to the base element (2) about a first carcass axis (K1) and to the front connection element (3) about a first lid axis (D1), and a second pivot arm (5) which is pivotably attached to the base element (2) about a second carcass axis (K2) and to the front connection element (3) about a second lid axis (D2), wherein the first carcass axis (K1), the second carcass axis (K2), the first lid axis (D1) and the second lid axis (D2) are arranged parallel and spaced apart from each other, characterized in that the The lid fitting (1) also has an eccentric (6),which is pivotably attached to the base element (2) about a bearing axis (L), and that the first pivot arm (4) is pivotably mounted about an eccentric axis (E) on the eccentric (6), wherein the bearing axis (L) and the eccentric axis (E) are arranged parallel and spaced apart from each other.