Furniture Hinge Damping via Direct Contact Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture hinges with damping mechanisms are complex, require significant space, and have intricate structures, making them difficult to assemble and adjust for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A simplified furniture hinge design featuring a contact surface on the support or guide lever that directly interacts with the damper housing or piston rod for damping, allowing for adjustable damping and reduced component count, with the damper only active between 10° to 40° of the hinge's opening angle to prevent slamming during closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional damping device with piston rod and damper housing is used, then damping function is achieved, but device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the damping function directly into the hinge mechanism by integrating a damping element between the support lever and guide lever. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate damping devices, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining the damping effect during hinge operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: the support lever and guide lever not only provide the hinge articulation and movement guidance but also incorporate the damping function through the integrated damping element. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If rigid coupling via chain links is used for damper connection, then damping is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases and tolerance compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid chain link coupling with a dynamic, flexible connection where the damping element can move relative to the support lever and guide lever. This dynamic connection allows for automatic adjustment and tolerance compensation during assembly and operation, significantly easing manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining effective damping.
3Reliability
If damping is applied over the entire pivoting path, then movement control is improved, but handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is designed to provide damping force only in specific regions of the hinge's pivoting path, rather than uniformly across the entire range. This localized damping approach maintains smooth handling during normal operation while providing controlled damping when needed, optimizing both ease of operation and movement control.
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 provides effective damping with a minimal component count, easy assembly, and adjustable damping characteristics, enhancing the functionality and usability of furniture hinges by minimizing unnecessary damping during opening movements.
Implementation Method 1
A spring 14 is provided on the damper housing 13, which pushes the piston rod 12 into the extended position.
Implementation Method 2
A damper with a damper housing 13 and a linearly movable piston rod 12 is provided for damping the pivoting movement of the hinge part 4.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A furniture hinge (1) comprises an installation plate (2) on which a side part (3) is arranged, and a hinge part (4) which is held pivotably on the side part (3) via a supporting lever (5) and a guide lever (6), wherein a damper (12, 13) is provided to damp the movement of the hinge part (4) relative to the side part (3). In this case, a contact surface (15) is provided on the hinge part (4), the supporting lever (5) or the guide lever (6) and, during a closing movement of the hinge part (4), acts directly on the damper housing (13) or the piston rod (12) for damping purposes. A compact construction which is easy to fit is thereby obtained.