Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges in furniture and other pivoting elements face challenges in routing cables invisibly and protecting them from damage during pivoting movements, especially in applications like tables and doors where cables need to be routed for power supply and electronic connections.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a first and second hinge wing, each with a cable guide, and a connecting element with a cable channel that forms a continuous cable guide in the folding position, ensuring cables are guided smoothly and protected from damage while maintaining an invisible and compact arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are routed openly on the table top, then cable accessibility is improved, but cable protection from damage and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A cable guide system consisting of a first cable guide in the first hinge wing, a second cable guide in the second hinge wing, and a cable duct in the connecting element serves as an intermediary structure. This mediator channels cables through the hinge mechanism rather than across the table top surface, protecting cables from damage while maintaining routing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable routing path is moved from the horizontal table top surface to the vertical/three-dimensional space within the hinge mechanism. By utilizing the depth and structure of the hinge wings and connecting element, the system routes cables through a different spatial dimension, achieving both protection and invisibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cables are routed through the hinge mechanism, then cable protection and invisibility are improved, but cable routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing system is divided into three functional segments: a first cable guide in the first hinge wing, a second cable guide in the second hinge wing, and a cable duct in the connecting element. Each segment performs a specific function (guiding, transitioning, protecting), and together they form a complete routing solution without requiring a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical pivoting function for the table top sections and simultaneously serves as the cable routing infrastructure. The cable guides and duct integrated into the hinge components allow the same structural elements to fulfill both mechanical and electrical routing roles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the hinge is designed with integrated cable guides, then cable protection is improved, but hinge manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide features are merged with the existing hinge wing and connecting element structures. Rather than adding separate cable protection components, the patent integrates cable guides directly into the hinge wings and the duct into the connecting element, combining mechanical support and cable routing functions into unified components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge (1) comprising a first hinge leaf (2) and a second hinge leaf (3), and a connecting element (4), wherein each hinge leaf (2, 3) is pivotably connected to the connecting element (4), and wherein the first hinge leaf (2) has means (5a) for attachment to a first pivoting element (6a), and the second hinge leaf (3) has means (5b) for attachment to a second pivoting element (6b), and a folding table comprising: • a hinge (1) with a first hinge leaf (2) and a second hinge leaf (3), • a connecting element (4), • a first pivoting element (6a), and • a second pivoting element (6b), wherein each hinge leaf (2, 3) is pivotably connected to the connecting element (4), and wherein the first hinge leaf (2) is connected to the first pivoting element (6a), and the second hinge leaf (3) is connected to the second pivoting element (6b).