Multi-directional Hinge with Interlocking Cams for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Furniture hinges with multi-directional adjustment mechanisms tend to loosen over time and require additional components for assembly, making them unstable and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional adjustment hinge design featuring a head plate, connector, locating plate, pivot pin, spring tongue, first adjustment cam, and second adjustment cam, which uses interlocking mechanisms and protruding tabs to secure the components without additional connection members, ensuring stability and compact construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-directional adjustment mechanism is used in the hinge, then the adjustment functionality is improved, but the structure becomes prone to loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment cam and locking piece into a single integrated component. The cam portion of the arm directly engages with the locating plate through interlocking features (protruding tabs and recesses), eliminating separate adjustment and locking mechanisms that could loosen independently. This merged structure ensures that adjustment and locking functions work together as a unified system, preventing loosening while maintaining multi-directional adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design incorporates pre-configured interlocking features (protruding tabs on sidewalls, recesses on the locating plate, and flanges on lips) that automatically engage when components are assembled. The spring tongue is pre-loaded to apply continuous locking force, and the adjustment cams are pre-positioned to maintain engagement with the locating plate throughout the adjustment range, preventing loosening before it can occur.
2Reliability
If additional connection members are used to secure the hinge components, then the assembly stability is improved, but the assembly complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the connection function directly into the hinge components themselves. The protruding tabs on the connector sidewalls and the corresponding recesses on the locating plate form built-in connection features that interlock without requiring separate fasteners. The spring tongue also serves dual purposes as both a closing force mechanism and a locking component, eliminating the need for additional connection members.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge components are designed to self-secure through their own structural features. The interlocking tabs and recesses automatically engage when parts are assembled, and the spring tongue automatically applies locking force without requiring external fasteners or additional connection hardware. This self-service approach reduces assembly complexity while maintaining connection stability.
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 provides a stable and compact hinge that maintains adjustment functionality across multiple axes without loosening and eliminates the need for additional connection members, reducing production costs and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic member disposed in the head plate applies force on the extension arm to deliver a certain closing force when the door plank is pushed back to shut the cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-directional adjustment hinge includes a head plate, a connector, a locating plate, a pivot pin, a spring tongue, a first adjustment cam, and a second adjustment cam. The arm is provided with a cam portion and an insertion portion. The cam portion of the arm is connected to the head plate. The connector has a connection plate and an extension plate. The insertion portion of the arm and the connection plate are interlocked and interacting with the first adjustment cam. The locating plate is connected to the extension plate. The locating plate and the extension plate are interlocked and interacting by means of the second adjustment cam. The spring tongue penetrates and engages with the arm.