Furniture Hinge with Elastic Self-Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjustable hinges for furniture often experience loosening over time due to the failure of adjusting screws to maintain tension, compromising the stability of multi-directional adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a base with a compartment and an elastic element that imparts force to a crank, combined with a bottom board and fixed seat with interlocking engaging boards and adjusting members, providing a tightening mechanism to secure the hinge's position and prevent loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjusting screw is used to provide multi-directional adjustment, then the hinge can be adjusted in multiple directions, but the adjusting screw becomes loose over time
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism automatically maintains its adjusted position through the interaction of the crank, elastic element, and engaging boards. The elastic element continuously applies force to keep the crank engaged with the engaging boards, creating a self-locking mechanism that does not require additional fastening components like adjusting screws. The system serves itself by using the inherent mechanical interaction between parts to maintain position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: the crank for position adjustment, the elastic element for maintaining force, and the engaging boards for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, with the crank providing adjustability and the engaging boards providing stable positioning without requiring a single complex adjusting screw.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple hinge structure is used, then the manufacturing is easier, but the hinge cannot provide multi-directional adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a crank that can rotate to different positions, transforming a static hinge into a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The crank's rotational movement enables multi-directional adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple structural form. The engaging boards with slots provide guided movement paths that allow the crank to adjust position without requiring complex constraint mechanisms.
3Reliability
If an elastic element is added to provide tightening effect, then the hinge maintains stable positioning, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is integrated into the existing hinge structure, combining the tightening function with the adjustment mechanism. Rather than adding a separate fastening system, the elastic element works in conjunction with the crank and engaging boards to provide both adjustment capability and stable positioning. The elastic force is merged with the mechanical engagement to create a unified self-locking system.
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 ensures reliable multi-directional adjustment and secure positioning by maintaining tension through the elastic force and interlocking mechanisms, preventing the hinge from loosening and ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic element is mounted in the compartment of the base and imparts elastic force to pivot the base relative to the crank
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge includes a base, a crank, a bottom board, a crank engagement seat, and a fixed seat. The crank is pivotably connected to the base. The bottom board includes at least one retaining portion, a first rivet hole and a vertical elongated hole. The crank engagement seat is connected to the crank and located between the fixed seat and the bottom board. The crank engagement seat includes first and second through-holes and a second rivet hole. The fixed seat includes first and second adjusting holes. A first adjusting member is extended through the first adjusting hole and the first through-hole into the first rivet hole. A second adjusting member is extended through the second adjusting hole into the second rivet hole. The bottom board and the crank engagement seat can be slightly moved in the vertical direction. The crank engagement seat can be slightly moved in the horizontal direction.