Furniture hinge

The invention relates to a furniture hinge (10) with a hinge arm (20) and a fastening portion (30), wherein the hinge arm (20) and the fastening portion (30) are pivotably connected to one another via a multi-axis articulated connection (40), and wherein a damping element (60), which damps in a deflection direction, for damping the movement of the hinge arm (20) and a spring (76) for adjusting the hinge arm (20) with respect to the fastening portion (30) are provided. It is provided here that the damping element (60) is mounted in such a way that, during a folding movement of the hinge arm (20) from a first end position into a second end position, a maximum or a minimum deflection of the damping element (60) is carried out within an adjusting movement of the damping element (60) caused by said folding movement. As a result, a furniture hinge which can be produced cost-effectively and which allows damped opening and closing of the hinge arm is provided.

The invention relates to a furniture hinge having a hinge part and a fastening portion, wherein the hinge part and the fastening portion are pivotably interconnected by way of a multi-axes articulation connection, and wherein a damper element that damps in a deflection direction for damping the movement of the hinge part, and a spring for readjusting the hinge part in relation to the fastening portion are provided.

Such a furniture hinge is known from EP 1 713 996 B1. Herein, an actuator-arm drive for flaps of cupboards is described, the former having a hinge part that is configured as an actuator arm and that is fastened to a housing so as to be rotatable about an axle. The actuator arm by way of a second axle is connected to a control part that is mounted in a linear and rotatable manner, said control part on that side thereof that is opposite the control arm by way of a control curve bearing on a movable pressure part that is biased by a spring assembly. The linear mobility of the control part is achieved by the mounting on a slide, or by means of an axle that is guided in an elongate hole. The spring force is transmitted to the control arm by way of the control part in such a manner so as to support the opening and closing process of the flap.

The control-arm drive comprises a damper which damps the tilting motion of the control arm ahead of two terminal positions, not influencing said tilting motion therebetween. To this end, the control arm has a detent which during closing of the flap presses against a first end of the damper. During opening of the flap, either the slide or the pressure part presses against the second end of the damper. The damper is preferably embodied as a linear damper.

It is disadvantageous herein that the damper has to be activated from both sides and thus has to be accordingly accessible and readjustable. Furthermore, the damper acts unilaterally on the slide or on the pressure part. In order to avoid jamming of the slide or of the pressure part, said slide and the pressure part therefore have to be guided at correspondingly tight tolerances. Both requirements lead to a high effort in terms of construction and manufacturing.

It is an object of the invention to achieve a reliably operating furniture hinge that is producible in a cost-effective manner and that enables damping of a hinge arm while being outwardly and inwardly folded.

The object of the invention is achieved in that the damper element is mounted in such a manner that during a folding motion of the hinge arm from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, maximum or minimum deflection of the damper element is performed within a readjustment motion of the damper element that is caused by said folding motion. Herein, the maximum and minimum deflection corresponds to the maximum and minimum deflection that is performed within the readjustment motion of the damper element, and do not correspond to the maximum or minimum deflection possible that is defined by the construction of the damper element. However, the maximum and minimum deflections possible, and the maximum and minimum deflections performed, respectively, may be identical, given a corresponding construction of the furniture hinge.

By reversing the movement direction of the readjustment motion at the point of maximum or minimum deflection it is achieved that the hinge arm is damped in that readjustment motion of the damper element that follows the maximum or minimum deflection, respectively. The arrangement herein is chosen in such a manner that the damper element acts in a damping manner in that readjustment direction of the readjustment motion that follows the maximum or minimum deflection, while said damper element does not damp in that readjustment direction that precedes the maximum or minimum deflection. Whether or not maximum or minimum deflection is performed depends on the chosen construction and on the damping direction of the damper element used. If and when a construction in which maximum deflection is performed is chosen, damping is performed during the deflection of the damper element being decreased. By contrast, If and when a construction in which minimum deflection is performed is present, damping is performed during the deflection of the damper element being increased.

Thus, a furniture hinge that in particular is also producible in a cost-effective manner is achieved, which by way of a single damper element that acts in one direction enables damping of a hinge arm both during outward as well as inward folding, ahead of the respective terminal position being reached. Prior to the maximum or minimum deflection of the damper element being reached, respectively, no damping takes place in the case of a corresponding layout, such that the first motion range during opening or closing, respectively, a cupboard door that is fastened by way of the furniture hinge is performed in an undamped manner, for example.

It is provided that the deflection of the damper element in the first terminal position of the hinge arm deviates from the deflection in the second terminal position of the hinge arm; in this way various damping paths may be adjusted for inward and outward folding of the hinge arm and thus for closing and opening a cupboard door that is fastened to the hinge arm. Advantageously, more intense damping, using a longer damping path, may be provided for closing the cupboard door than for opening the cupboard door, for example.

According to a particularly preferred variant of design embodiment of the invention it may be provided that the damper element is mounted to as to be pivotably about a first rotation axis. Herein, a bearing of the damper element is pivoted about the first rotation axis in such a manner that an upper or lower dead center is passed during the readjustment of the damper element. Maximum or minimum deflection of the damper element is achieved during passing of the upper or lower dead center. After the upper or lower dead center has been passed, a reversal of the readjustment direction of the readjustment motion of the damper element is performed. From this point in time onward, the damper element acts in a damping manner. The reversal of the readjustment direction of the damper element is performed during each passage through the upper or lower dead center, respectively, independently of the rotation direction of the pivoting motion. It may thus be achieved that the damper element that damps only in one readjustment direction damps the movement of the hinge arm both during inward folding as well as during outward folding. The furniture hinge is conceived in such a manner that only either the upper or the lower dead center is passed during the hinge arm moving between the two terminal positions. If and when the upper dead center is passed, a damper element is preferably provided which acts in a damping manner when being collapsed. However, if and when a lower dead center is passed, the damper element advantageously acts in a damping manner when being extended. It is achieved in this manner that the movement of the hinge arm is damped prior to one of the terminal positions being reached.

On account thereof, the damper element may be operatively connected to the articulation connection and thus to the hinge arm such that an articulation element of the articulation connection forms the first rotation axis, and that the articulation element is readjustable about a first rotation axis that is formed by a first articulation. Thus, the movement of an articulation element, advantageously provided anyway, of the multi-axes articulation connection that is provided between the hinge arm and the fastening portion may be used for achieving the pivoting motion of the damper element about the first rotation axis. Depending on the construction present, it may however also be necessary for the articulation connection to be augmented by a separate articulation element in order for the damper element to be linked in a corresponding manner to the motion sequence.

A simple construction in which an upper or lower dead center is passed when readjusting the damper element may be achieved in that the damper element is mounted in the region of two support bearings, and in that during readjustment of the furniture hinge from the first terminal position to the second terminal position, a connection line that runs through the support bearings, or the extension of said connection line, crosses the first rotation axis. The upper or lower dead center, respectively, and thus the maximum or minimum deflection, respectively, of the damper element is achieved once the connection line or the extension thereof crosses the first rotation axis. Herein, an upper dead center is passed when the connection line per se crosses the rotation axis, while a lower dead center is passed when the extension of the connection line crosses the rotation axis. It is advantageous in the case of the motion sequence thus achieved that the linear readjustment of the damper element is performed by a converted pivoting motion. Herein, the readjustment direction of the damper element is always aligned in the direction of the input of force by way of the pivoted support bearing of the damper element. Transverse forces are largely avoided such that a flowing movement in which jamming of moved components is reliably avoided without any additional measures being required is achieved.

In order to achieve the pivoting motion and by way thereof the readjustment of the damper element, it is advantageous for a first support bearing of the damper element to be pivoted about the first rotation axis, and for a second support bearing to be kept at a fixed spacing from the first rotation axis. To this end, it may be provided that the damper element is connected to the articulation element, on the one hand, and is connected to a movable lever that is pivotably connected to the latter, on the other hand. The movable lever herein is advantageously connected to the articulation element so as to be pivotable about the first rotation axis about which the damper element is also pivoted. By mounting the second support bearing on the movable lever, the spacing between the second support bearing and the first rotation axis thus remains equal. This also applies when the first rotation axis per se is displaced. On account thereof, it is enabled that the pivoting motion of the damper element about the first rotation axis is achieved in that the latter per se is rotated about a further rotation axis, for example about the first articulation that has been described above. A multiplicity of constructive possibilities in which the damper element may be attached within the multi-axes articulation connection of the furniture hinge is achieved by using a movable lever of this type for attaching the second support bearing of the damper element.

The spring is provided in order to enable self-acting inward and/or outward folding of the hinge arm after activation of the latter. In order for the spring to be coupled to the hinge arm in such a manner that the former adjusts the latter both during inward folding as well as during outward folding, it may be provided that the movable lever is connected to the articulation connection, and is connected to both a connection lever as well as to a spring tensioner in such a manner that the spring that is held between the connection lever and the spring tensioner is tensionable or relaxable during readjustment between the two terminal positions.

In order to enable a readjustment of the hinge arm by the spring in the case of cupboard doors of dissimilar weight that are fitted to the hinge arm and it may be provided that the spring is connected to a tensioning element, and that the spring bias of the spring is adjustable by means of the tensioning element. In this way, a heavier spring bias may be set in the case of heavy cupboard doors than in the case of lighter cupboard doors. Furthermore, the speed of the self-acting opening and closing motion of the cupboard door may be influenced by the spring bias.

According to a variant of embodiment of the invention it may be provided that the movable lever is connected indirectly or directly to the spring that, depending on the position of the hinge arm, is variously intensely deflected in such a manner that a variable compression force, depending on the position of the hinge arm, is transmitted to the articulation element by way of the movable lever. The spring force herein is transmitted from the connection lever and the spring tensioner to the movable lever. The tensile force of the spring herein is converted to a compression force that acts on the movable lever and thus on the articulation connection. This compression force is transmitted to the articulation element in such a manner that the former causes a rotating motion of the articulation element about the first articulation. A cupboard that is fastened to the hinge arm therefore has first to be opened or closed counter to the spring force, prior to said cupboard door in a second movement portion, driven by the spring, completing the opening or closing motion, respectively, in a self-acting and damped manner. By way of the arrangement of the connection lever, of the spring tensioner, of the movable lever, and in particular of the articulation element that is connected to the movable lever and of the rotation axis of said articulation element about the first articulation, it may be achieved that the spring during outward folding of the hinge arm is predominantly relaxed, and during inward folding is predominantly tensioned. Thus, opening of a cupboard door, which may optionally be performed counter to the weight of the cupboard door, is more intensely supported by the spring that closing of the cupboard door, the spring in the case of the latter being relaxed and thus acting in the movement direction of the hinge arm only in the last movement portion.

Apart from adapting the spring force to the fitted cupboard door, it is desirable that damping may also be adapted to the conditions present. This may be achieved in that an adjustment device by way of which the damping stroke and/or the damping force of the damper element is adjustable prior to the first and/or the second terminal position being reached is provided. Damping may thus be adjusted in such a manner that a cupboard door may be closed rapidly, but nevertheless in the last movement portion thereof bears slowly and quietly on a cupboard unit, for example.

In order for damping to be adjustable it may be provided that the damper element is indirectly or directly coupled to the multi-axes articulation connection by way of a guide element, and in that the guide element for adjusting the damping stroke of the damper element is adjustable by means of an adjustment element of the adjustment device on a guide. The position at which the damper element is pivoted about the first rotation axis is established by the guide and the guide element. The chosen position determines the path that the guide element and thus the movable support bearing of the damper element, during being pivoted, performs about the first rotation axis. On account thereof, the readjustment motion of the damper element and the damping stroke are defined. The position, in which the guide element is pivoted about the first rotation axis, and thus the damping stroke, are established by the adjustment element.

Simple adjustment of the damping stroke may be achieved in that a maximum movement of the guide element is adjustable by way of a movable detent at a variable end of the guide. Herein, for example, the guide element bears on the variable end of the guide only in the case of one movement direction of the hinge arm, for example during inward folding. The adjustment of the detent on account thereof only modifies damping during inward folding of the hinge arm in the case of a cupboard door that is fitted to the hinge arm being closed.

Fixedly defined and non-adjustable damping during opening of a cupboard door is sufficient for most application cases. In order to minimize the adjustment effort during fitting of the furniture hinge, it may thus be provided that the guide element during outward folding of the hinge arm, after passing the maximum or the minimum deflection of the damper element, bears on one end of the guide. Damping during opening of the cupboard door is fixedly defined if and when this end is not variably adjustable. A furniture hinge which during inward folding of the hinge arm has adjustable damping, and during outward folding has fixedly defined damping may thus be provided.

Simple coupling of the damper element to the articulation connection of the furniture hinge may be achieved in that the guide is disposed on the articulation element.

Herein, the adjustment of the damping stroke may be performed in that the detent is formed by an eccentric that is rotatably mounted on the articulation element and that, depending on the rotation thereof, keeps the guide element at a variable spacing from the rotation axis thereof.

In one potential variant of design embodiment of the invention it is provided that the first terminal position of the hinge arm is assigned to an inwardly folded hinge arm, and the second terminal position is assigned to an outwardly folded hinge arm, and that the readjustment of the damper element between the minimum or the maximum deflection and the deflection in the first terminal position of the hinge arm is larger than the readjustment of the damper element between the minimum or the maximum deflection and the deflection in the second terminal position of the hinge arm. On account thereof, a larger damping stroke is present during inward folding of the hinge arm and thus during closing of a connected cupboard door than during outward folding of the hinge arm during opening of the cupboard door.

Advantageously and cost-effectively, a linear damper is provided as the damper element.

FIG. 1shows a furniture hinge10in a first terminal position of an inwardly folded hinge arm20, in the case of a closed hinge housing31, in a side view;

The hinge housing31forms a fastening portion30of the furniture hinge10, having three fastening receptacles32.1,32.2,32.3. The hinge housing31in the illustration is closed off by a housing lid33. A linear guide34and an adjustment opening35are provided as passage openings in the housing lid33. Fastening points of a first articulation41.1, of a second articulation41.2, and of a rotary joint81are sunk into the housing lid33.

The hinge arm20is pivotably connected to the fastening portion30by way of a multi-axes articulation connection40. A first and a second set screw22.1,22.2are disposed along a rear web24of the hinge arm20. Lateral legs23adjoin the rear web24on either side. The hinge arm20engages in a connection element21which has connection hooks21.1,21.2. Toward the articulation, the lateral legs23transition to an articulation guide26by way of an expansion region25that is reinforced by an embossing25.1. A sixth articulation41.6and a seventh articulation41.7of the multi-axes articulation connection40are disposed on the articulation guide26.

The multi-axes articulation connection40is connected to the fastening portion30by way of the first and the second articulation41.1,41.2, and is connected to the hinge arm by way of the sixth and seventh articulation41.6,41.7.

A spring tensioner80is attached to the fastening portion30by way of the rotary joint81, so as to be opposite the articulation connection40. The spring tensioner80is assigned a tensioning element84that is composed of a knurled screw84.1having a knurled head84.2and a slide84.3having a spring eyelet84.4attached thereto. The slide84.3is mounted so as to be displaceable on a slider bar83. The slider bar83and the knurled screw84.1at the end side are fixed to a common base82which establishes the connection to the fastening portion30of the furniture hinge10.

A spring76is hooked to the spring eyelet84.4, the former by way of the opposite end thereof being fastened to a spring holder75. The spring holder75at the end side is connected to an approximately S-shaped connection lever72by way of a pin74. The connection lever72by way of a guide pin73is guided in the linear guide34that is attached to the housing lid33.

In the fitted state, the hinge arm20is assigned to a cupboard door or to a flap, and the fastening portion30is assigned to a base unit of an item of furniture (not illustrated). Herein, the connection element21by way of the connection hooks21.1,21.2engages in a connection piece (not illustrated) which is fastened to the cupboard door or to the flap. The cupboard door or the flap may be aligned in relation to the base unit by way of the set screws22.1,22.2. The fastening portion30by means of fastening means (not illustrated) which are routed through the fastening receptacles32.1,32.2,32.3, is fastened to the base unit.

The hinge arm20, during opening of the cupboard door or of the flap, is pivoted from the closed first terminal position shown to an opened second terminal position shown inFIG. 6. The spring76herein, from a specific position of the hinge arm20, causes the cupboard door or the flap to open in a self-acting manner. Accordingly, the spring76, during closing of the cupboard door or of the flap, pulls the hinge arm20on the last movement portion thereof back to the first terminal position of the latter. The bias of the spring76may be adapted to the respectively fitted cupboard door or flap by way of the spring tensioner80, such that cupboard doors or flaps of variable weights and dimensions may be opened or closed as has been described. To this end, the slide84.3of the tensioning element84, by rotating the knurled screw84.1at the knurled head84.2thereof, is adjusted along the slider bar83until the desired bias of the spring76that is connected to the slide is provided.

FIG. 2shows the furniture hinge10ofFIG. 1, in the case of an opened hinge housing31. Identical components herein are referenced as has been introduced inFIG. 1.

The hinge housing31at the rear side is closed off by way of a rear housing wall36which has the same passages, articulation receptacles, and fastening receptacles32.1,32.2,32.3as the housing lid33that is shown inFIG. 1. Components of the furniture hinge10may thus be held or routed between the housing lid33and the rear housing wall36. The furniture hinge10may be fitted to a cupboard base unit both on the right as well as the left side, wherein either the rear housing wall36or the housing lid33bears on the cupboard wall.

A first articulation lever42.1of the multiple-axes articulation connection40is disposed between the seventh articulation41.7on the articulation guide26of the hinge arm20, and a fifth articulation41.5that is displaceable in the position thereof. A second articulation lever42.2that is shown inFIGS. 3, 4, and 6is accordingly disposed between the sixth articulation41.6on the articulation guide26of the hinge arm20, and a third articulation41.3that is likewise displaceable in the position thereof. A third articulation lever42.3is rotatably fastened to the hinge housing31by means of the second articulation41.2. The third articulation lever42.3in the central region thereof by way of a fourth articulation41.4is likewise rotatably connected in an approximately centric manner to the second articulation lever42.2.

An approximately triangular articulation element43at one corner is rotatably connected to the hinge housing31by way of the first articulation41.1. The articulation element43at an opposite corner is rotatably connected to the second articulation lever42.2by way of the third articulation41.3. A first rotation axle44in the form of a further articulation axle is disposed on a third corner of the articulation element43that faces away from the multiple-axle articulation connection40. The articulation element43herein is rotatably connected to one end of a bent movable lever70.

The articulation element43is formed from two mutually opposite articulation plates43.1,43.2that are disposed so as to be spaced apart, wherein the forward first articulation plate43.1can be seen in the illustration chosen inFIG. 2. The rearward second articulation plate43.2that is shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 6, is obscured by the first articulation plate43.1. A guide46in the form of elongate holes, each aligned in the direction toward the first articulation41.1, is provided in the central region of the articulation plates43.1. An adjustment element50is disposed between the guide46and the first articulation41.1.

A damper element60, damping in a linear manner, by way of a guide element45is mounted so as to be rotatable and displaceable in the elongate holes of the guide46. The damper element60, at the opposite end thereof, by way of a counter bearing61is rotatably fastened to the movable lever70.

The movable lever70, the base82of the spring tensioner80, and the connection lever72each are interconnected at the end side by way of an articulation axle71.

The multiple-axle articulation connection40, by way of the seven articulations41.1,41.2,41.3,41.4,41.5,41.6,41.7thereof, configures a known seven-way articulation connection between the hinge arm40and the fastening portion30. During outward folding of the hinge arm20to an opened second terminal position that is shown inFIG. 6, the third articulation lever42.3is rotated about the second articulation41.2, and the articulation element43, by way of the first and the second articulation plate43.1,43.2thereof, is rotated about the first articulation41.1. On account thereof, the first rotation axis44in the illustration chosen is pivoted about the first articulation41.1in the clockwise direction. The first rotation axle44herein crosses the connection line between the guide element45and the counter bearing61, and thus between the support bearings of the damper element60. Herein, proceeding from the first terminal position illustrated, the spacing between the guide element45and the counter bearing61is enlarged until the guide element45, the first rotation axle44, and the counter bearing61are in line. If and when the articulation element43is rotated farther beyond this point about the first articulation41.1, the spacing between the guide element45and the counter bearing61is again decreased. The motion sequence is performed in the reversed order during folding back of the hinge arm20. The damper element60during a folding motion of the hinge arm20between the two terminal positions, during intersecting of the connection line of the support bearings of the damper element60by the first rotation axle44, thus passes a maximum deflection within the readjustment motion. The deflection of the damper element60is again decreased during continuation of the rotating motion.

The damper element60used acts in a damping manner only in one readjustment direction, during collapsing of the damper element60. No damping of the movement of the articulation element43and of the hinge arm20is thus performed in the motion sequence described, until the maximum deflection of the damper element60is achieved. After the maximum deflection, the damper element60by contrast acts in a damping manner on the movement of the articulation element43and thus, transmitted by the multi-axle articulation connection40, on the movement of the hinge arm20. Since the readjustment direction of the damper element60is reversed both during inward folding as well as during outward folding of the hinge arm20, damping of the movement of latter is in each case performed prior to achieving one of the terminal positions of the hinge arm20. On account thereof, both damped opening as well as damped closing of a cupboard door or flap that is fastened to the hinge arm20is achieved by way of only one damper element that damps in a linear manner in one direction.

By way of the spring72that is tensioned between the spring tensioner80and the connection lever72, the spring tensioner80is rotated about the rotary joint81, and the connection lever72is rotated counter thereto about the guide pin73. On account thereof, a compression force is transmitted by way of the common articulation axle71to the movable lever70, and from the latter on the first rotation axle44to the articulation element43. In this manner, a torque which in the alignment of the articulation element43during the inwardly folded terminal position of the hinge arm20shown inFIG. 2acts in a counter-clockwise manner is transmitted to the articulation element43. The torque thus counteracts a rotating motion of the articulation element43during outward folding of the hinge arm20. If and when the hinge arm20is folded out counter to the action of the spring76to the extent that the first rotation axle44crosses the connection line between the first articulation41.1and the articulation axle71, the compression force that is transmitted by the movable lever70causes a torque in the clockwise direction and thus in the direction of the rotating motion of the articulation element43that is caused by the outward folding of the hinge arm20. From this point in time on, the spring force that is transmitted supports the movement of the hinge arm20. By way of a corresponding layout of the spring76it is achieved that the hinge arm20, once partially opened, folds outward to the opened terminal position thereof in a self-acting manner. The movement herein is damped by the damper element60before the opened terminal position has been reached. Accordingly, the reversed motion sequence is performed during inward folding of the hinge arm. Here too, the spring force initially counteracts the inward folding of the hinge arm20, prior to said spring force acting in the movement direction of the hinge arm20once the first rotation axle44has crossed the connection line between the first articulation41.1and the articulation axle71. On account thereof, the last movement portion of the hinge arm20during inward folding is performed in a self-acting manner.

The bias of the spring76may be adapted by the tensioning element84of the spring tensioner80in such a manner that a self-acting movement of the hinge arm in the case of cupboard doors or flaps of dissimilar weight that are guided by the hinge arm20is enabled. To this end, the position of the slide84.3is displaced along the slider bar83with the aid of the knurled screw84.1.

By mounting the damper element60by way of the counter bearing61thereof on the movable lever70it is achieved that the spacing between the counter bearing61and the first rotation axle44remains the same, independently of the position of the articulation element43and of the movable lever70. The readjustment of the damper element60, and thus the damping stroke thereof, is thus defined by the position at which the guide element45is held on the articulation element43and is rotated about the first rotation axle44, and by the rotation angle between the articulation element43and the movable lever70.

The damping stroke of the damper element during outward and inward folding of the hinge arm20may be variably embodied by the position of the guide element45on the articulation element43and by the pivoting range of the guide element45about the first rotation axle44. In this way, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment shown that during outward folding of the hinge arm20, from the first terminal position shown inFIG. 2to the second terminal position shown inFIG. 6, up to reaching the maximum deflection of the damper element60, initially a comparatively large angular range is passed by the guide element45by way of a correspondingly large readjustment of the damper element60. Following the maximum deflection, a comparatively small angular range is passed by way of a correspondingly smaller readjustment of the damper element60. The motion sequence is performed in reverse order during inward folding of the hinge arm20. The damping stroke during outward folding of the hinge arm20is thus chosen so as to be smaller than the damping stroke during inward folding of the hinge arm20.

By contrast, it is provided during the introduction of the spring force that the first rotation axle44as the coupling-in point for the spring force into the articulation element43during outward folding of the hinge arm20crosses the connection line between the first articulation41.1and the articulation axle71already after a short rotating motion about the first articulation41.1. The spring force counteracts the movement of the articulation element43and thus of the hinge arm20only in a first small movement range, so as to subsequently act across a large movement range in the movement direction of the articulation element43and thus of the hinge arm20. Here too, the motion sequence is reversed during inward folding of the hinge arm20. Thus, the spring76acts across a large movement range of the hinge arm20in the direction of an opening position of a cupboard door or a flap that is fastened to the hinge arm20, acting to close the cupboard door or the flap only in the direct proximity of the closing position.

By way of this asymmetrical effect of both the damper element60as well as of the spring76during outward and inward folding of the hinge arm20it is achieved that opening of a cupboard door or a flap, counter to the force of gravity acting thereon, with the support of the spring76is performed in a smooth-running manner or, in a last movement portion, in a self-acting manner. The movement herein is dampened just before the end of the opening procedure. By contrast, a significantly longer damping stroke is provided during closing of the cupboard door or the flap, so as to avoid an impact of the cupboard door or the flap on a cupboard base unit. Herein, the cupboard door or the flap, respectively, in the last movement range thereof is pulled into the closing position thereof in a self-acting manner.

The furniture hinge10may be adapted to cupboard doors and flaps of dissimilar weight by adjusting the spring bias.

FIG. 3shows a fragment of the furniture hinge ofFIG. 2, in the region of an articulation element43, in the case of an inwardly folded hinge arm20. Herein, the housing lid33and the first articulation plate43.1of the articulation element43are illustrated so as to be semi-transparent, in order to allow a view onto the components lying there behind.

The guide element45as the support bearing of the damper element60is mounted in the guide46on the articulation element43. The guide46herein is embodied by elongate holes which are attached so as to be congruent, both in the first articulation plate43.1as well as in the second articulation plate43.2that is disposed in an obscured manner. The guide46thus enables a rotating motion as well as a linear readjustment of the guide element45that is mounted in the former. The elongate holes are aligned toward the first articulation41.1, so as to be spaced apart from the first rotation axle44. The adjustment element50is disposed between the guide46and the first articulation41.1. As is also shown in the context ofFIG. 4, the adjustment element50is rotatably mounted between the first and the second articulation plate43.1,43.2of the articulation element43. To this end, a tool engagement feature51is introduced in a corresponding through-opening of the first articulation plate43.1. As is shown in the context ofFIG. 4, the adjustment element50is furthermore formed by an eccentric52having a first and a second eccentric disk52.1,52.2. Each eccentric disk52.1,52.2on the circumference is assigned one latching curve52.3,52.4. The eccentric disks52.1,52.2are spaced apart by an axle53.

As can be seen fromFIG. 3, the eccentric52may be rotated such that the former, by way of the external circumference and latching curves52.3,52.4thereof covers part of the elongate holes of the guide46. On account thereof, an adjustable variable end46.1, having the eccentric52as a detent for the guide element45, is achieved on that region of the guide46that faces the first articulation41.1. Opposite thereto, a fixed end46.2delimits the guide46.

When inwardly folding the hinge arm20to the closed position illustrated, the guide element45, is pushed against the variable end46.1of the guide by the damper element60, counteracting the movement. The detent for the guide element45may be displaced according to the latching curves52.3,52.4by rotating the adjustment element50. The position of the guide element45in the inwardly folded position of the hinge arm20shown, in the effective direction of the damper element60is thus defined by the adjustment element50. The readjustment path of the damper element60, and thus the damping stroke, during inward folding of the hinge arm20may thus be adjusted by the adjustment element50. Herein, a damping stroke that can be set as small as possible results in the adjustment of the adjustment element50shown inFIG. 3, the latter allowing maximum linear movement of the guide element45in the guide46. If and when the adjustment element50is rotated in such a manner that the latching curves52.3,52.4protrude at maximum into the elongate holes of the guide46, such that the guide element45is displaced in the direction of the fixed end46.2of the guide46, a maximum damping stroke of the damper element during inward folding of the hinge arm20is achieved. The damping stroke may be adjusted between the two extreme positions by way of corresponding intermediate positions of the adjustment element50. It is achieved by the interaction of the latching curves52.3,52.4and the guide element45that the adjustment element50can only be adjusted to defined latching positions. This enables a reproducible adjustment of the damping stroke as well as locking of the chosen adjustment.

In the inwardly folded terminal position of the hinge arm20, shown inFIG. 3, the tool engagement feature51of the adjustment element50is covered by the housing lid33. During outward folding of the hinge arm20, the tool engagement feature51pivots into the region of the adjustment opening35of the housing lid33. The adjustment of the damping stroke may then be performed with the cupboard door or the flap opened.

A piston rod63, shown inFIG. 4, is routed through a cover62and is protected by the latter.

FIG. 4shows the fragment of the furniture hinge10ofFIG. 3, in a perspective illustration, in the case of a partially opened position of the hinge arm20. Herein, the first articulation plate43.1of the articulation element43is illustrated so as to be transparent.

The piston rod63of the damper element60, the former being partially enveloped by the cover62, at the end thereof has a guide-element receptacle64in which the guide element45that is embodied as a transverse pin is held. A setting element65in the form of an appendage is configured on the guide-element receptacle64. The setting element65, in the position of the hinge arm illustrated, is aligned toward the axle53of the adjustment element50and bears on the latter.

By way of the setting element65the guide element45is displaced in relation to the fixed end46.2of the guide46, independently of the adjustment of the adjustment element50. During outward folding of the hinge arm20, from the closed terminal position thereof to the opened terminal expediently thereof, the guide element45is therefore expediently moved from the variable end46.1of the guide46to the fixed end46.2of the latter, and held there. The position of the guide element45during opening of the hinge arm20is fixedly defined on account thereof. The damping stroke of the damper element60during outward folding of the hinge arm20is thus also fixedly defined, while the damping stroke during inward folding of the hinge arm20can be adjusted by the adjustment element50.

In the maximum adjustment of the adjustment element50illustrated, the guide element45is also held by the eccentric52on the side of the fixed end46.2of the guide46. A maximum damping stroke is thus adjusted during inward folding of the hinge arm20and thus during closing of a cupboard door or a flap that is fastened to the hinge arm20.

FIG. 5shows the fragment of the furniture hinge10ofFIG. 4, in a side view, in the case of a partially outward folded hinge arm20. The first articulation plate43.1is illustrated so as to be partially transparent.

In order for the intermediate position illustrated to be achieved, the guide46, by way of the guide element45, during the outward folding of the hinge arm20, commencing in the closing position shown inFIG. 3, has been pivoted in the clockwise direction about the first articulation41.1. On account thereof, the setting element65has been aligned on the axle53of the adjustment element50, and the guide element45has been pressed against the fixed end46.2of the guide46. During the continuing movement in which the guide element45is pivoted about the first rotation axle44in the clockwise direction, the piston rod63of the damper element60is inserted into the damper element by the guide element45, on account of which damping is effected. The damping stroke herein is fixedly defined by the fixed positioning of the guide element45on the fixed end46.2of the guide46.

FIG. 6shows the furniture hinge10ofFIG. 2in a second terminal position, in the case of an outwardly folded hinge arm20. The first articulation plate43.1is not shown.

The second articulation plate43.2of the articulation element43is pivoted about the first articulation41.1by outwardly folding the hinge arm20. By way of the movement of the articulation element43the first rotation axle44in relation to the position of the latter inFIG. 2is alternated to the opposite side of the damper element60, having thereby crossed the connection line between the guide element45and the counter bearing61. On account thereof, the reversal of movement in the readjustment of the damper element60as has been described in the context ofFIG. 2is performed.

The setting element65is routed past the axle53of the adjustment element50, but still bears thereon in such a manner that the guide element45is held on the fixed end46.2of the guide45.

During outward folding of the hinge arm20the articulation axle71as the connection point between the movable lever70, the connection lever72, and the base82of the spring tensioner80, pivots about the rotary joint81shown inFIG. 2. The rotation in the present illustration is performed in the clockwise direction. During the folding motion thus generated between the base82and the connection lever72, the spring76is relaxed and the released energy by way of the movable lever70is transmitted to the multi-axle articulation connection40and thus to the pivot arm20.

The movable lever70and the connection lever72are disposed and shaped in such a manner that both of former during the movement thereof between the two terminal positions do not cross the positions of the fastening receptacles52.1,52.2,52.3, independently of the adjustment of the spring tensioner80or of the adjustment element50. Fastening elements may thus be routed through the fastening receptacles52.1,52.2,52.3without blocking the movement of the hinge arm20.

FIG. 7shows a fragment of the furniture hinge10according toFIG. 6, in the region of the articulation element63. The first articulation plate63.1of the articulation element63, and the housing lid33are illustrated so as to be semi-transparent.

The position of the articulation element63in the case of a hinge arm20that is outwardly pivoted to the second terminal position thereof is shown. In this position, the tool engagement feature51of the adjustment element50is positioned so as to be opposite the adjustment opening35in the housing lid33, the former thus being accessible from the outside.

The guide element45is held at the fixed end46.2of the guide46, on account of which the deflection of the damper element60is established in this position of the articulation element63and thus of the hinge arm20.