Furniture Hinge Box Layout for Wide-Arc Soft Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for furniture with face frames face challenges in accommodating a decelerating device due to space constraints, especially when using leaf springs, which limits the effective deceleration of the closing movement over an extensive swing arc.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a linear-type decelerating device with a fluid-type decelerating cylinder and return spring means arranged parallel and spaced apart within the hinge box, allowing for effective deceleration along a wide swing arc, with the cylinder near one side wall and the return spring near the opposite side, enabling easy assembly and modulation of the braking action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional decelerating device is placed inside the box with central closure springs, then the deceleration function is provided, but the available space is insufficient when closure springs are placed centrally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional centralized arrangement to a distributed lateral arrangement, positioning the decelerating cylinder and return spring along the lateral dimension of the box rather than stacking them centrally. This dimensional reorganization充分利用 the box's lateral space, resolving the space conflict between closure springs and decelerating device.
Solution Approach 2:
The decelerating device is segmented into functionally independent components: the decelerating cylinder and the return spring are separated and positioned at different locations within the box. This segmentation allows each component to occupy optimized space, with the cylinder near one side wall and the spring near the opposite side, eliminating spatial interference with centrally placed closure springs.
2Volume of stationary object
If the decelerating device dimensions are reduced to fit limited space, then space constraint is satisfied, but the deceleration effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the decelerating device dimensions, the patent extends the device laterally across the box width. The cylinder and spring are positioned near opposite side walls, utilizing the full lateral dimension of the box. This maintains adequate component dimensions for effective deceleration while satisfying space constraints through dimensional optimization.
3Device complexity
If a single articulation pin is used to connect the box to the hinge arm, then the hinge structure is simplified, but the space for accommodating decelerating components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simple single articulation pin connection while compensating for the resulting space constraint by reorganizing the decelerating device layout laterally. The cylinder and spring are positioned along the width of the box near opposite side walls, utilizing horizontal space that would otherwise be wasted, thus accommodating the decelerating components without increasing hinge structural complexity.
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 design provides a robust and efficient deceleration mechanism that effectively slows the hinge's closing movement over a wide arc, ensuring smooth operation and easy assembly, even in space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
a linear-type decelerating device comprising a fluid-type decelerating cylinder and return spring means operatively connected with each other
Implementation Method 2
return spring means operatively connected with each other
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hinge (10) for mounting a door (14) on a piece of furniture, comprising a hinge arm (12) fix able to a fixed part (11) of the piece of furniture and a box (13) fix able to a door (14) of the piece of furniture, swingably connected to each other; the hinge further comprises a linear-type decelerating device (22) arranged inside the box (13), having a fluid-type decelerating cylinder (23) and return spring means (24), operatively connected with each other, which extend parallel to and spaced apart from each other. The fluid-type decelerating cylinder (23) is arranged in proximity to a side wall (18') of the box (13) and the return spring means (24) are arranged in proximity to the opposite side wall (18") of the box (13).