Furniture Hinge Damper Structure With Integral Metal Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping devices for furniture, such as those disclosed in US patents US 9,021,656 B2 and US 9,057,214 B2, face issues with structural complexity and material compatibility, leading to potential damage due to the use of different materials for piston rods and pistons under great pressure.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with a housing, piston, base, and ring member, where the piston and piston rod are integrally formed from a metal material, and a groove in the housing allows the damping medium to flow, providing a simpler structure and improved durability, with a ring member facilitating medium flow between the piston and base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the piston rod and piston are made of different materials (metal piston rod and plastic piston), then the structure can be differentiated for specific functions, but the piston may be damaged due to long-term use under great pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piston rod and piston into a single integrally formed component made of metal material. This eliminates the interface between different materials (metal piston rod and plastic piston) and ensures both parts have equal durability under pressure, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining functional differentiation through the integral design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the piston rod and piston are made of different materials, then specific functions can be assigned to each component, but the overall structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piston rod and piston into one integrally formed metal component, ensuring uniform material strength throughout the structure. The functional differentiation is maintained through the geometric design of the integral component rather than material differentiation, thus preserving both strength and functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a slider with first and second cylindrical parts is used to accommodate piston and spring, then all components can be housed, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separate slider structure by integrating the housing functions directly into the main housing body. The housing itself provides the chambers and spaces to accommodate the piston, spring, and other components, removing the need for additional cylindrical parts and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining full component accommodation.
4Ease of operation
If the groove has varying cross section area, then the damping medium flow can be controlled, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different groove configurations in different regions of the housing. The groove has a first section with a first cross-sectional area and a second section with a second cross-sectional area, allowing localized control of damping medium flow characteristics without requiring high precision throughout the entire groove length. This enables damping control while reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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 solution enhances the structural strength and durability of the damping device, reducing the risk of damage and providing a more efficient damping effect while simplifying the structure, thus addressing the complexity and material compatibility issues of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
The chamber is filled with a damping medium. The groove is configured to allow the damping medium to flow within the chamber when the housing is moved relative to the piston
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force between its hosing and piston
Data Source
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AI summary
A damping device (20, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g) includes a housing (22), a piston (24), a base (300, 400, 500, 600) and a ring member (26) . The housing (22) has a chamber (36) filled with a damping medium (52). The piston (24) is arranged in the chamber (36) of the housing (22). The base (300, 400, 500, 600) is arranged in the chamber (36) of the housing (22). The ring member (26) is arranged between the piston (24) and the base (300, 400, 500, 600). A passage (312, 408, 504, 608) is formed between the ring member (26) and the base (300, 400, 500, 600) for allowing the damping medium (52) to flow through.