Furniture Hinge Fall Protection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture hinges with adjustment devices, such as eccentric screws, risk the hinge arm detaching from the base plate due to faulty riveting or component failure, leading to uncontrolled door movement and potential injuries or damage.
Innovation Solution
A fall protection mechanism that limits the maximum displacement path of the hinge arm relative to the base plate, using stops or a counter-stop system to prevent complete detachment, allowing controlled adjustment within a predetermined range while preventing uncontrolled falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge arm is made displaceable relative to the base plate via an adjustment device, then the door can be adjusted in depth, but the hinge arm may detach due to faulty riveting or component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The fall protection mechanism is pre-installed on the base plate before the hinge arm is attached. This preliminary safety feature ensures that even if the adjustment device fails or riveting is faulty, the hinge arm cannot completely detach. The counter-stop and stop elements are positioned in advance to limit the displacement path, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining the desired adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fall protection mechanism acts as a safety buffer that limits the maximum displacement of the hinge arm relative to the base plate. By providing this preliminary protective measure, the patent prevents the harmful effect of complete detachment while allowing controlled adjustment within safety boundaries. The stop elements create a physical barrier that cushions against uncontrolled movement.
2Reliability
If a fall protection mechanism is added to prevent hinge arm detachment, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fall protection mechanism is segmented into separate functional elements: stop elements on the base plate and counter-stop elements on the hinge arm. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular design enables easy manufacturing and assembly without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fall protection mechanism acts as an intermediary safety layer between the adjustment device and the hinge arm connection. Rather than making the entire connection system more complex, it introduces a simple intermediary element that limits displacement. This intermediary approach adds minimal complexity while providing substantial safety improvement.
3Reliability
If the fall protection limits the displacement path, then uncontrolled detachment is prevented, but the adjustment range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The fall protection mechanism applies local quality control by limiting displacement only in the critical direction where complete detachment could occur. The stop and counter-stop elements are strategically positioned to restrict movement along the displacement path while allowing full adjustment freedom in other directions. This selective limitation maintains safety without unnecessarily restricting legitimate adjustment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of displacement path length from unbounded to bounded by introducing the fall protection mechanism. The stop elements define a maximum safe displacement distance, transforming the displacement parameter from potentially infinite to a controlled, predetermined range. This parameter change ensures safety while preserving adequate adjustment capability within the limited range.
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
Prevents door leaf detachment and associated injuries or damage by limiting uncontrolled displacement, ensuring safety until the hinge can be replaced.
Implementation Method 1
A fall protection for the hinge arm, which prevents the hinge arm from falling relative to the base plate in the event of an uncontrolled displacement of the hinge arm relative to the base plate caused by a failure of the adjusting device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture hinge (4) comprising a base plate, (7) which is designed to be fastened to a furniture body (2), and a hinge arm (5) that is mounted so as to be movable by an adjustment device (8) in a controlled manner relative to the base plate (7) within a predetermined adjustment range, wherein the adjustment device (8) prevents the hinge arm (5) from falling from the base plate (7) by displacement. The furniture hinge (4) has a fall guard (13) for the hinge arm (5) which prevents the hinge arm (5) from falling relative to the base plate (7) upon uncontrolled displacement of the hinge arm (5) caused by failure of the adjustment device (8), and the hinge arm (5) is mounted so as to be movable relative to the base plate (7) within the predetermined adjustment range despite the fall guard (13).