Furniture Hinge Rotary Blocking Element Tool-Free Damping Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture hinges with damping mechanisms face issues with reliable switching between damping and locking positions, often requiring tools for adjustment and suffering from wear and tear, which affects the damping effect and operational comfort.
Innovation Solution
A furniture hinge with a rotary blocking element that can be adjusted tool-free, featuring a locking bar and handle mounted on a rotary body, allowing precise alignment and locking to control the damping effect, and an elastic locking bar for secure engagement and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary adjustment element with a blocking section is used to adjust the damping cylinder position, then the damping effect can be adjusted in predetermined stages, but the locking devices wear out due to repeated actuation and spring force, making it impossible to securely fix the damping cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the worn-out locking devices with a cam mechanism that uses a cam profile to provide the locking action. The cam profile is designed to engage with a follower, creating a positive locking mechanism that does not rely on friction or wear-prone components. This allows the adjustment element to be actuated repeatedly without the locking capability degrading over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional friction-based or spring-based locking mechanism with a cam-based mechanical system. The cam profile converts the rotational motion of the adjustment element into a controlled linear motion of the damping cylinder, with the cam geometry providing inherent positioning and locking without requiring additional locking devices that can wear out.
2Reliability
If a sliding element is used for linear adjustment of the damping cylinder, then accidental adjustment by spring force is avoided, but the sliding element gets caught during adjustment, reducing operating comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cam profile with a curved geometry that guides the follower through a controlled path. The cam surface is designed with specific curvature characteristics that ensure smooth engagement and disengagement, preventing the follower from getting caught while maintaining reliable positioning. The curved cam profile transforms the linear adjustment motion into a controlled rotational-cum-linear movement.
3Ease of operation
If the axis of rotation of the adjustment element is aligned perpendicular to the direction of movement of the damping cylinder, then the blocking section can be turned into a circular path for adjustment, but the spring force is transferred to the blocking section requiring additional latching devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment function and the locking function into a single integrated cam mechanism. The cam profile simultaneously controls the position of the damping cylinder and provides the locking action through its geometry, eliminating the need for separate latching devices. The follower on the cam surface performs both adjustment and positioning functions in one motion.
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
Enables reliable switching between damping and locking positions without tools, ensuring precise adjustment and maintaining damping effectiveness over time, while enhancing operational comfort and reducing wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
a linear damper for damping at least the closing movement of the furniture hinge
Implementation Method 2
an elastic locking bar for secure engagement and easy operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a furniture hinge for the articulated fastening of a furniture door, flap or the like to a furniture carcass, with a hinge body with a hinge cup and a hinge arm which is pivotably connected to the hinge cup and which can be fastened to one of the furniture parts, and with a mounting body which can be fastened to the other furniture part, with a linear damper for damping at least the closing movement of the furniture hinge, and with a blocking element which can be set in at least two switching positions and by means of which the linear damper is blocked in a blocking switching position in its inserted position and is released in a damping switching position, wherein, in the blocking switching position, a blocking bolt which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation of the blocking element is pivoted into the actuating region of the linear damper or of a component connected to the linear damper and is pivoted out of the actuating region in the damping switching position. Here, there is provision that the axis of rotation of the blocking element is oriented in the direction of movement of the linear damper. The furniture hinge allows a secure setting of the damping action of the linear damper of the furniture hinge.