FURNITURE HINGE

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A furniture hinge (10) having a hinge arm (20) and a fastening portion (30), wherein the hinge aim (20) and the fastening portion (30) are pivotably interconnected by way of a multi-axes articulation connection (40), and wherein a damper element (60) that damps in a deflection direction for damping the movement of the hinge arm (20), and a spring (76) for readjusting the hinge aim in relation to the fastening portion (30) are provided characterized in that the damper element (60) is mounted in such a manner that during a folding motion of the hinge atm (20) from a first terminal position to a second terminal position, maximum or minimum deflection of the damper element (60) is performed within a readjustment motion of the damper element that is caused by said folding motion.

2. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the deflection of the damper element (60) in the first terminal position of the hinge aim (20) deviates from the deflection in the second terminal position of the hinge arm (20).

3. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the damper element (60) is mounted so as to be pivotable about a first rotation axis (44).

4. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that an articulation element (43) of the articulation connection (40) forms the first rotation axis (44), and in that the articulation element (43) is re-adjustable about a rotation axis that is formed by a first articulation (41.1).

5. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the damper element (60) is mounted in the region of two support bearings, and in that, during readjustment of the furniture hinge (10) 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 (44).

6. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the damper element (60) is connected to the articulation element (43), on the one hand, and is connected to a movable lever (70) that is pivotably connected to the latter, on the other hand.

7. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the movable lever (70) is connected to the articulation connection (40), and is connected to both a connection lever (72) as well as to a spring tensioner (80) in such a manner that the spring (76) that is held between the connection lever (72) and the spring tensioner (80) is tensionable or relaxable during readjustment between the two terminal positions.

8. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed claim 1, characterized in that the spring (76) is connected to a tensioning element (84), and in that the spring bias of the spring (76) is adjustable by means of the tensioning element (84).

9. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the movable lever (70) is connected indirectly or directly to the spring (76) that, depending on the position of the hinge arm (20), is variously intensely deflected in such a manner that a variable compression force, depending on the position of the hinge arm (20), is transmitted to the articulation element (20) by way of the movable lever (70).

10. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an adjustment device by way of which the damping stroke and/or the damping force of the damper element (60) is adjustable prior to the first and/or the second terminal position being reached is provided.

11. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the damper element (60) is indirectly or directly coupled to the multi-axes articulation connection (40) by way of a guide element (45), and in that the guide element (45) for adjusting the damping stroke of the damper element (60) is adjustable by means of an adjustment element (50) of the adjustment device on a guide (46).

12. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that a maximum movement of the guide element (45) is adjustable by way of a movable detent at a variable end (46.1) of the guide (46).

13. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the guide element (45) during outward folding of the hinge arm (20), after passing the maximum or the minimum deflection of the damper element (60), bears on one end (46.1, 46.2) of the guide (46).

14. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the guide (46) is disposed on the articulation element (20).

15. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the detent is formed by an eccentric (52) that is rotatably mounted on the articulation element (20) and that, depending on the rotation thereof, keeps the guide element (46) at a variable spacing from the rotation axis thereof.

16. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first terminal position of the hinge arm (20) is assigned to an inwardly folded hinge arm (20), and the second terminal position is assigned to an outwardly folded hinge aim (20), and in that the readjustment of the damper element (60) between the minimum or the maximum deflection and the deflection in the first terminal position of the hinge arm (20) is larger than the readjustment of the damper element (60) between the minimum or the maximum de-flection and the deflection in the second terminal position of the hinge arm (20).

17. The furniture hinge (10) as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that a linear damper is provided as the damping element (60).

Description

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a furniture hinge in first terminal position of an inwardly folded hinge arm, in the case of a closed hinge housing, in a side view;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the furniture hinge of FIG. 1, in the case of an opened hinge housing;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a fragment of the furniture hinge of FIG. 2, in the region of an articulation element;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows the fragment of the furniture hinge of FIG. 3, in a perspective illustration, in the case of a partially outwardly folded hinge arm;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows the fragment of the furniture hinge of FIG. 4, in a side view;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows the furniture hinge of FIG. 2 in a second terminal position, in the case of an outwardly folded hinge arm; and

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a fragment of the furniture hinge of FIG. 6, in the region of the articulation element.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a furniture hinge 10 in a first terminal position of an inwardly folded hinge arm 20, in the case of a closed hinge housing 31, in a side view;

[0034] The hinge housing 31 forms a fastening portion 30 of the furniture hinge 10, having three fastening receptacles 32.1, 32.2, 32.3. The hinge housing 31 in the illustration is closed off by a housing lid 33. A linear guide 34 and an adjustment opening 35 are provided as passage openings in the housing lid 33. Fastening points of a first articulation 41.1, of a second articulation 41.2, and of a rotary joint 81 are sunk into the housing lid 33.

[0035] The hinge arm 20 is pivotably connected to the fastening portion 30 by way of a multi-axes articulation connection 40. A first and a second set screw 22.1, 22.2 are disposed along a rear web 24 of the hinge arm 20. Lateral legs 23 adjoin the rear web 24 on either side. The hinge arm 20 engages in a connection element 21 which has connection hooks 21.1, 21.2. Toward the articulation, the lateral legs 23 transition to an articulation guide 26 by way of an expansion region 25 that is reinforced by an embossing 25.1. A sixth articulation 41.6 and a seventh articulation 41.7 of the multi-axes articulation connection 40 are disposed on the articulation guide 26.

[0036] The multi-axes articulation connection 40 is connected to the fastening portion 30 by way of the first and the second articulation 41.1, 41.2, and is connected to the hinge arm by way of the sixth and seventh articulation 41.6, 41.7.

[0037] A spring tensioner 80 is attached to the fastening portion 30 by way of the rotary joint 81, so as to be opposite the articulation connection 40. The spring tensioner 80 is assigned a tensioning element 84 that is composed of a knurled screw 84.1 having a knurled head 84.2 and a slide 84.3 having a spring eyelet 84.4 attached thereto. The slide 84.3 is mounted so as to be displaceable on a slider bar 83. The slider bar 83 and the knurled screw 84.1 at the end side are fixed to a common base 82 which establishes the connection to the fastening portion 30 of the furniture hinge 10.

[0038] A spring 76 is hooked to the spring eyelet 84.4, the former by way of the opposite end thereof being fastened to a spring holder 75. The spring holder 75 at the end side is connected to an approximately S-shaped connection lever 72 by way of a pin 74. The connection lever 72 by way of a guide pin 73 is guided in the linear guide 34 that is attached to the housing lid 33.

[0039] In the fitted state, the hinge arm 20 is assigned to a cupboard door or to a flap, and the fastening portion 30 is assigned to a base unit of an item of furniture (not illustrated). Herein, the connection element 21 by way of the connection hooks 21.1, 21.2 engages 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 screws 22.1, 22.2. The fastening portion 30 by means of fastening means (not illustrated) which are routed through the fastening receptacles 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, is fastened to the base unit.

[0040] The hinge arm 20, 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 in FIG. 6. The spring 76 herein, from a specific position of the hinge arm 20, causes the cupboard door or the flap to open in a self-acting manner. Accordingly, the spring 76, during closing of the cupboard door or of the flap, pulls the hinge arm 20 on the last movement portion thereof back to the first terminal position of the latter. The bias of the spring 76 may be adapted to the respectively fitted cupboard door or flap by way of the spring tensioner 80, such that cupboard doors or flaps of variable weights and dimensions may be opened or closed as has been described. To this end, the slide 84.3 of the tensioning element 84, by rotating the knurled screw 84.1 at the knurled head 84.2 thereof, is adjusted along the slider bar 83 until the desired bias of the spring 76 that is connected to the slide is provided.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows the furniture hinge 10 of FIG. 1, in the case of an opened hinge housing 31. Identical components herein are referenced as has been introduced in FIG. 1.

[0042] The hinge housing 31 at the rear side is closed off by way of a rear housing wall 36 which has the same passages, articulation receptacles, and fastening receptacles 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 as the housing lid 33 that is shown in FIG. 1. Components of the furniture hinge 10 may thus be held or routed between the housing lid 33 and the rear housing wall 36. The furniture hinge 10 may be fitted to a cupboard base unit both on the right as well as the left side, wherein either the rear housing wall 36 or the housing lid 33 bears on the cupboard wall.

[0043] A first articulation lever 42.1 of the multiple-axes articulation connection 40 is disposed between the seventh articulation 41.7 on the articulation guide 26 of the hinge arm 20, and a fifth articulation 41.5 that is displaceable in the position thereof. A second articulation lever 42.2 that is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 is accordingly disposed between the sixth articulation 41.6 on the articulation guide 26 of the hinge arm 20, and a third articulation 41.3 that is likewise displaceable in the position thereof. A third articulation lever 42.3 is rotatably fastened to the hinge housing 31 by means of the second articulation 41.2. The third articulation lever 42.3 in the central region thereof by way of a fourth articulation 41.4 is likewise rotatably connected in an approximately centric manner to the second articulation lever 42.2.

[0044] An approximately triangular articulation element 43 at one corner is rotatably connected to the hinge housing 31 by way of the first articulation 41.1. The articulation element 43 at an opposite corner is rotatably connected to the second articulation lever 42.2 by way of the third articulation 41.3. A first rotation axle 44 in the form of a further articulation axle is disposed on a third corner of the articulation element 43 that faces away from the multiple-axle articulation connection 40. The articulation element 43 herein is rotatably connected to one end of a bent movable lever 70.

[0045] The articulation element 43 is formed from two mutually opposite articulation plates 43.1, 43.2 that are disposed so as to be spaced apart, wherein the forward first articulation plate 43.1 can be seen in the illustration chosen in FIG. 2. The rearward second articulation plate 43.2 that is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, is obscured by the first articulation plate 43.1. A guide 46 in the form of elongate holes, each aligned in the direction toward the first articulation 41.1, is provided in the central region of the articulation plates 43.1. An adjustment element 50 is disposed between the guide 46 and the first articulation 41.1.

[0046] A damper element 60, damping in a linear manner, by way of a guide element 45 is mounted so as to be rotatable and displaceable in the elongate holes of the guide 46. The damper element 60, at the opposite end thereof, by way of a counter bearing 61 is rotatably fastened to the movable lever 70.

[0047] The movable lever 70, the base 82 of the spring tensioner 80, and the connection lever 72 each are interconnected at the end side by way of an articulation axle 71.

[0048] The multiple-axle articulation connection 40, by way of the seven articulations 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4, 41.5, 41.6, 41.7 thereof, configures a known seven-way articulation connection between the hinge arm 40 and the fastening portion 30. During outward folding of the hinge arm 20 to an opened second terminal position that is shown in FIG. 6, the third articulation lever 42.3 is rotated about the second articulation 41.2, and the articulation element 43, by way of the first and the second articulation plate 43.1, 43.2 thereof, is rotated about the first articulation 41.1. On account thereof, the first rotation axis 44 in the illustration chosen is pivoted about the first articulation 41.1 in the clockwise direction. The first rotation axle 44 herein crosses the connection line between the guide element 45 and the counter bearing 61, and thus between the support bearings of the damper element 60. Herein, proceeding from the first terminal position illustrated, the spacing between the guide element 45 and the counter bearing 61 is enlarged until the guide element 45, the first rotation axle 44, and the counter bearing 61 are in line. If and when the articulation element 43 is rotated farther beyond this point about the first articulation 41.1, the spacing between the guide element 45 and the counter bearing 61 is again decreased. The motion sequence is performed in the reversed order during folding back of the hinge arm 20. The damper element 60 during a folding motion of the hinge arm 20 between the two terminal positions, during intersecting of the connection line of the support bearings of the damper element 60 by the first rotation axle 44, thus passes a maximum deflection within the readjustment motion. The deflection of the damper element 60 is again decreased during continuation of the rotating motion.

[0049] The damper element 60 used acts in a damping manner only in one readjustment direction, during collapsing of the damper element 60. No damping of the movement of the articulation element 43 and of the hinge arm 20 is thus performed in the motion sequence described, until the maximum deflection of the damper element 60 is achieved. After the maximum deflection, the damper element 60 by contrast acts in a damping manner on the movement of the articulation element 43 and thus, transmitted by the multi-axle articulation connection 40, on the movement of the hinge arm 20. Since the readjustment direction of the damper element 60 is reversed both during inward folding as well as during outward folding of the hinge arm 20, damping of the movement of latter is in each case performed prior to achieving one of the terminal positions of the hinge arm 20. On account thereof, both damped opening as well as damped closing of a cupboard door or flap that is fastened to the hinge arm 20 is achieved by way of only one damper element that damps in a linear manner in one direction.

[0050] By way of the spring 72 that is tensioned between the spring tensioner 80 and the connection lever 72, the spring tensioner 80 is rotated about the rotary joint 81, and the connection lever 72 is rotated counter thereto about the guide pin 73. On account thereof, a compression force is transmitted by way of the common articulation axle 71 to the movable lever 70, and from the latter on the first rotation axle 44 to the articulation element 43. In this manner, a torque which in the alignment of the articulation element 43 during the inwardly folded terminal position of the hinge arm 20 shown in FIG. 2 acts in a counter-clockwise manner is transmitted to the articulation element 43. The torque thus counteracts a rotating motion of the articulation element 43 during outward folding of the hinge arm 20. If and when the hinge arm 20 is folded out counter to the action of the spring 76 to the extent that the first rotation axle 44 crosses the connection line between the first articulation 41.1 and the articulation axle 71, the compression force that is transmitted by the movable lever 70 causes a torque in the clockwise direction and thus in the direction of the rotating motion of the articulation element 43 that is caused by the outward folding of the hinge arm 20. From this point in time on, the spring force that is transmitted supports the movement of the hinge arm 20. By way of a corresponding layout of the spring 76 it is achieved that the hinge arm 20, once partially opened, folds outward to the opened terminal position thereof in a self-acting manner. The movement herein is damped by the damper element 60 before 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 arm 20, prior to said spring force acting in the movement direction of the hinge arm 20 once the first rotation axle 44 has crossed the connection line between the first articulation 41.1 and the articulation axle 71. On account thereof, the last movement portion of the hinge arm 20 during inward folding is performed in a self-acting manner.

[0051] The bias of the spring 76 may be adapted by the tensioning element 84 of the spring tensioner 80 in 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 arm 20 is enabled. To this end, the position of the slide 84.3 is displaced along the slider bar 83 with the aid of the knurled screw 84.1.

[0052] By mounting the damper element 60 by way of the counter bearing 61 thereof on the movable lever 70 it is achieved that the spacing between the counter bearing 61 and the first rotation axle 44 remains the same, independently of the position of the articulation element 43 and of the movable lever 70. The readjustment of the damper element 60, and thus the damping stroke thereof, is thus defined by the position at which the guide element 45 is held on the articulation element 43 and is rotated about the first rotation axle 44, and by the rotation angle between the articulation element 43 and the movable lever 70.

[0053] The damping stroke of the damper element during outward and inward folding of the hinge arm 20 may be variably embodied by the position of the guide element 45 on the articulation element 43 and by the pivoting range of the guide element 45 about the first rotation axle 44. In this way, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment shown that during outward folding of the hinge arm 20, from the first terminal position shown in FIG. 2 to the second terminal position shown in FIG. 6, up to reaching the maximum deflection of the damper element 60, initially a comparatively large angular range is passed by the guide element 45 by way of a correspondingly large readjustment of the damper element 60. Following the maximum deflection, a comparatively small angular range is passed by way of a correspondingly smaller readjustment of the damper element 60. The motion sequence is performed in reverse order during inward folding of the hinge arm 20. The damping stroke during outward folding of the hinge arm 20 is thus chosen so as to be smaller than the damping stroke during inward folding of the hinge arm 20.

[0054] By contrast, it is provided during the introduction of the spring force that the first rotation axle 44 as the coupling-in point for the spring force into the articulation element 43 during outward folding of the hinge arm 20 crosses the connection line between the first articulation 41.1 and the articulation axle 71 already after a short rotating motion about the first articulation 41.1. The spring force counteracts the movement of the articulation element 43 and thus of the hinge arm 20 only in a first small movement range, so as to subsequently act across a large movement range in the movement direction of the articulation element 43 and thus of the hinge arm 20. Here too, the motion sequence is reversed during inward folding of the hinge arm 20. Thus, the spring 76 acts across a large movement range of the hinge arm 20 in the direction of an opening position of a cupboard door or a flap that is fastened to the hinge arm 20, acting to close the cupboard door or the flap only in the direct proximity of the closing position.

[0055] By way of this asymmetrical effect of both the damper element 60 as well as of the spring 76 during outward and inward folding of the hinge arm 20 it is achieved that opening of a cupboard door or a flap, counter to the force of gravity acting thereon, with the support of the spring 76 is 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.

[0056] The furniture hinge 10 may be adapted to cupboard doors and flaps of dissimilar weight by adjusting the spring bias.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a fragment of the furniture hinge of FIG. 2, in the region of an articulation element 43, in the case of an inwardly folded hinge arm 20. Herein, the housing lid 33 and the first articulation plate 43.1 of the articulation element 43 are illustrated so as to be semi-transparent, in order to allow a view onto the components lying there behind.

[0058] The guide element 45 as the support bearing of the damper element 60 is mounted in the guide 46 on the articulation element 43. The guide 46 herein is embodied by elongate holes which are attached so as to be congruent, both in the first articulation plate 43.1 as well as in the second articulation plate 43.2 that is disposed in an obscured manner. The guide 46 thus enables a rotating motion as well as a linear readjustment of the guide element 45 that is mounted in the former. The elongate holes are aligned toward the first articulation 41.1, so as to be spaced apart from the first rotation axle 44. The adjustment element 50 is disposed between the guide 46 and the first articulation 41.1. As is also shown in the context of FIG. 4, the adjustment element 50 is rotatably mounted between the first and the second articulation plate 43.1, 43.2 of the articulation element 43. To this end, a tool engagement feature 51 is introduced in a corresponding through-opening of the first articulation plate 43.1. As is shown in the context of FIG. 4, the adjustment element 50 is furthermore formed by an eccentric 52 having a first and a second eccentric disk 52.1, 52.2. Each eccentric disk 52.1, 52.2 on the circumference is assigned one latching curve 52.3, 52.4. The eccentric disks 52.1, 52.2 are spaced apart by an axle 53.

[0059] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the eccentric 52 may be rotated such that the former, by way of the external circumference and latching curves 52.3, 52.4 thereof covers part of the elongate holes of the guide 46. On account thereof, an adjustable variable end 46.1, having the eccentric 52 as a detent for the guide element 45, is achieved on that region of the guide 46 that faces the first articulation 41.1. Opposite thereto, a fixed end 46.2 delimits the guide 46.

[0060] When inwardly folding the hinge arm 20 to the closed position illustrated, the guide element 45, is pushed against the variable end 46.1 of the guide by the damper element 60, counteracting the movement. The detent for the guide element 45 may be displaced according to the latching curves 52.3, 52.4 by rotating the adjustment element 50. The position of the guide element 45 in the inwardly folded position of the hinge arm 20 shown, in the effective direction of the damper element 60 is thus defined by the adjustment element 50. The readjustment path of the damper element 60, and thus the damping stroke, during inward folding of the hinge arm 20 may thus be adjusted by the adjustment element 50. Herein, a damping stroke that can be set as small as possible results in the adjustment of the adjustment element 50 shown in FIG. 3, the latter allowing maximum linear movement of the guide element 45 in the guide 46. If and when the adjustment element 50 is rotated in such a manner that the latching curves 52.3, 52.4 protrude at maximum into the elongate holes of the guide 46, such that the guide element 45 is displaced in the direction of the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46, a maximum damping stroke of the damper element during inward folding of the hinge arm 20 is achieved. The damping stroke may be adjusted between the two extreme positions by way of corresponding intermediate positions of the adjustment element 50. It is achieved by the interaction of the latching curves 52.3, 52.4 and the guide element 45 that the adjustment element 50 can only be adjusted to defined latching positions. This enables a reproducible adjustment of the damping stroke as well as locking of the chosen adjustment.

[0061] In the inwardly folded terminal position of the hinge arm 20, shown in FIG. 3, the tool engagement feature 51 of the adjustment element 50 is covered by the housing lid 33. During outward folding of the hinge arm 20, the tool engagement feature 51 pivots into the region of the adjustment opening 35 of the housing lid 33. The adjustment of the damping stroke may then be performed with the cupboard door or the flap opened.

[0062] A piston rod 63, shown in FIG. 4, is routed through a cover 62 and is protected by the latter.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows the fragment of the furniture hinge 10 of FIG. 3, in a perspective illustration, in the case of a partially opened position of the hinge arm 20. Herein, the first articulation plate 43.1 of the articulation element 43 is illustrated so as to be transparent.

[0064] The piston rod 63 of the damper element 60, the former being partially enveloped by the cover 62, at the end thereof has a guide-element receptacle 64 in which the guide element 45 that is embodied as a transverse pin is held. A setting element 65 in the form of an appendage is configured on the guide-element receptacle 64. The setting element 65, in the position of the hinge arm illustrated, is aligned toward the axle 53 of the adjustment element 50 and bears on the latter.

[0065] By way of the setting element 65 the guide element 45 is displaced in relation to the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46, independently of the adjustment of the adjustment element 50. During outward folding of the hinge arm 20, from the closed terminal position thereof to the opened terminal expediently thereof, the guide element 45 is therefore expediently moved from the variable end 46.1 of the guide 46 to the fixed end 46.2 of the latter, and held there. The position of the guide element 45 during opening of the hinge arm 20 is fixedly defined on account thereof. The damping stroke of the damper element 60 during outward folding of the hinge arm 20 is thus also fixedly defined, while the damping stroke during inward folding of the hinge arm 20 can be adjusted by the adjustment element 50.

[0066] In the maximum adjustment of the adjustment element 50 illustrated, the guide element 45 is also held by the eccentric 52 on the side of the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46. A maximum damping stroke is thus adjusted during inward folding of the hinge arm 20 and thus during closing of a cupboard door or a flap that is fastened to the hinge arm 20.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows the fragment of the furniture hinge 10 of FIG. 4, in a side view, in the case of a partially outward folded hinge arm 20. The first articulation plate 43.1 is illustrated so as to be partially transparent.

[0068] In order for the intermediate position illustrated to be achieved, the guide 46, by way of the guide element 45, during the outward folding of the hinge arm 20, commencing in the closing position shown in FIG. 3, has been pivoted in the clockwise direction about the first articulation 41.1. On account thereof, the setting element 65 has been aligned on the axle 53 of the adjustment element 50, and the guide element 45 has been pressed against the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46. During the continuing movement in which the guide element 45 is pivoted about the first rotation axle 44 in the clockwise direction, the piston rod 63 of the damper element 60 is inserted into the damper element by the guide element 45, on account of which damping is effected. The damping stroke herein is fixedly defined by the fixed positioning of the guide element 45 on the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows the furniture hinge 10 of FIG. 2 in a second terminal position, in the case of an outwardly folded hinge arm 20. The first articulation plate 43.1 is not shown.

[0070] The second articulation plate 43.2 of the articulation element 43 is pivoted about the first articulation 41.1 by outwardly folding the hinge arm 20. By way of the movement of the articulation element 43 the first rotation axle 44 in relation to the position of the latter in FIG. 2 is alternated to the opposite side of the damper element 60, having thereby crossed the connection line between the guide element 45 and the counter bearing 61. On account thereof, the reversal of movement in the readjustment of the damper element 60 as has been described in the context of FIG. 2 is performed.

[0071] The setting element 65 is routed past the axle 53 of the adjustment element 50, but still bears thereon in such a manner that the guide element 45 is held on the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 45.

[0072] During outward folding of the hinge arm 20 the articulation axle 71 as the connection point between the movable lever 70, the connection lever 72, and the base 82 of the spring tensioner 80, pivots about the rotary joint 81 shown in FIG. 2. The rotation in the present illustration is performed in the clockwise direction. During the folding motion thus generated between the base 82 and the connection lever 72, the spring 76 is relaxed and the released energy by way of the movable lever 70 is transmitted to the multi-axle articulation connection 40 and thus to the pivot arm 20.

[0073] The movable lever 70 and the connection lever 72 are 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 receptacles 52.1, 52.2, 52.3, independently of the adjustment of the spring tensioner 80 or of the adjustment element 50. Fastening elements may thus be routed through the fastening receptacles 52.1, 52.2, 52.3 without blocking the movement of the hinge arm 20.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a fragment of the furniture hinge 10 according to FIG. 6, in the region of the articulation element 63. The first articulation plate 63.1 of the articulation element 63, and the housing lid 33 are illustrated so as to be semi-transparent.

[0075] The position of the articulation element 63 in the case of a hinge arm 20 that is outwardly pivoted to the second terminal position thereof is shown. In this position, the tool engagement feature 51 of the adjustment element 50 is positioned so as to be opposite the adjustment opening 35 in the housing lid 33, the former thus being accessible from the outside.

[0076] The guide element 45 is held at the fixed end 46.2 of the guide 46, on account of which the deflection of the damper element 60 is established in this position of the articulation element 63 and thus of the hinge arm 20.