Pendulum hinge
The pendulum hinge addresses issues of torsional vibrations and uneven force distribution by using symmetrically arranged compression springs guided linearly, ensuring smooth operation and reducing material stress through uniform torque distribution.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COFANO GIUSEPPE
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing hinges for swing doors suffer from issues such as torsional vibrations, uneven force distribution, high friction, and material fatigue due to torsion springs or compression springs, leading to premature wear and uneven torque distribution, which complicates installation and operation.
A pendulum hinge design that utilizes compression springs symmetrically arranged to a longitudinal axis, guided linearly by a linear guide, providing direct leverage at the point of application and minimizing friction, allowing for uniform torque distribution and preventing rapid closure.
The design achieves nearly linear torque over a wide range, prevents torsional vibrations, and maintains high torque near the center position, ensuring smooth operation and reducing material stress, while allowing for easy installation and removal.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a pendulum hinge according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art
[0002] Various hinges for use on swing doors and similar articulated components are known in the prior art. A hinge described in patent DE 100 66 484 B3, which relates to a swing door closer with torsion springs, has become established on the market. In this hinge, the spring force is transferred to the door leaf by various holding and stop devices in such a way that it can swing open in both directions and is returned to the central position.
[0003] A potential disadvantage is that the torsion springs can fatigue and break over time when twisted more than 90°, and that the torque can be disproportionate to the opening angle, resulting in a high restoring force when fully opened and the door leaf swinging back too quickly. This design always represents a compromise, as the torsion spring must either be correspondingly long and therefore soft for a long service life, or shorter and stiffer for sufficient force, leading to frequent spring breakage. Furthermore, these torsion springs are only used at the upper corner of the door leaf, resulting in uneven force distribution and thus torsional vibrations when the door is operated. Since three hinges are usually required in addition to the closer, the technical complexity is relatively high, and installing and removing the door leaf is relatively cumbersome.
[0004] From EP 3 901 401 A2, a system is known in which two hinge parts slide against each other under spring tension. This design has the disadvantage that relatively long spring bolts are required, which, given the dimensions typical for insect screen doors, do not have sufficient space within the width of the vertical profiles and therefore must protrude into the horizontal profiles in the corner area. The common mitered corner joints for aluminum profiles are therefore not applicable to this system. Furthermore, high frictional forces arise on the surfaces of the hinge contours, as the full force of the spring acts over a large area on a sliding surface.
[0005] From DE 10 2020 100 739 A1, a pendulum hinge with two hinge parts for pivotally connecting several components is known, in which the hinge parts are pivotably connected via two axes of rotation with adjacent sliding surfaces. To form the two axes of rotation on the first hinge part, two spaced-apart receptacles are provided for forming the sliding surfaces on the first hinge part, and at least two sliding elements are provided on the second hinge part, corresponding to the receptacles on the first hinge part and forming the sliding surfaces on the second hinge part. The two hinge parts are also operatively connected to each other by spring tension via a spring assembly, the spring assembly consisting of at least one connecting element that can be reversibly arranged on the second hinge part and a spring element that holds the connecting element.The spring element is also formed from a rod spring extending symmetrically to a longitudinal axis of the adjacent hinge parts running through the connecting part. In the system patented in DE 10 2020 100 739 A1, the rod spring has the disadvantage that the transmission of axial forces occurs via the retaining parts of the spring. As these parts wear, the door leaf sags due to its own weight. Furthermore, the forces acting on such a rod spring when it deflects are very uneven, resulting in significantly greater stress on the central part of the rod and leading to material fatigue (in normal compression springs, for example, the forces are distributed evenly).DE 10 2020 100 739 A1 describes that in a hinge the spring device is formed from at least one connecting part which can be reversibly arranged on the second hinge part and at least one spring element which holds the connecting part, and that the springs exert a tensile force on the connecting part.
[0006] US Patent 6,635,71A discloses a pivot hinge that was widely used in the familiar doors of Western saloons, and whose principle is still used today in pivot door hardware, primarily in furniture. In this design, a coil spring or several coil springs are combined with the hinge in such a way that the door closes automatically or is held open by the spring(s) when opened at a right angle. However, this pivot hinge invention in its original form is not practically universally applicable because the required flat design does not allow for sufficient leverage, necessitating an enormous spring force. This would result in correspondingly high forces, exceeding the limits of what is feasible for small components. The friction on the sliding surfaces would be too high.
[0007] From the two patent applications US 639 254 A and US 2004 / 0 134 029 A1, a pendulum hinge with hinge parts for pivotally connecting several components is known, in which the hinge parts are pivotably connected via two axes of rotation with adjacent sliding surfaces, wherein to form the two axes of rotation on the first hinge part several spaced-apart receptacles for forming the sliding surfaces on the first hinge part and on the second hinge part several sliding bodies corresponding to the receptacles on the first hinge part and designed to form the sliding surfaces on the second hinge part are provided, wherein the two hinge parts are operatively connected to each other via a spring and / or damping element, wherein the spring and / or damping element is formed from a connecting part that can be reversibly arranged on the second hinge part and a spring holding the connecting part.
[0008] From the publication DE 10 2007 020 730 A1, a pivot door with a self-closing hinge with two hinge parts is further known for the pivotable connection of several components, wherein the hinge parts are pivotably connected via two pivot axes with adjacent sliding surfaces, wherein, to form the two pivot axes, two spaced-apart receptacles for forming the sliding surfaces are provided on the first hinge part, and at least two sliding elements corresponding to the receptacles on the first hinge part and designed to form the sliding surfaces on the second hinge part are provided on the second hinge part, wherein the two hinge parts are operatively connected to each other by spring tension via at least one spring device, wherein the spring device has a spring element.The hinge is formed from at least two compression springs extending symmetrically to a longitudinal axis of the adjacent hinge parts, wherein the compression springs are guided linearly along their axes parallel to the longitudinal axis by a linear guide, and wherein the compression springs are designed such that they exert a compressive force by virtue of their corresponding mounting on shaped parts (15) of the linear guides arranged in pairs symmetrically to the longitudinal axis. A disadvantage of this hinged door is that the force exerted by the compression spring(s) acts as a pure compressive force on the sliding bearings of the main shaft and also on the roller, resulting in high frictional forces and thus high material stress. The ratio of generated torque to friction is therefore unfavorable; the spring has a short travel distance but a large force. Description of the invention
[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a pendulum hinge that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and combines the functions of the hinge, return spring and center positioning in one unit.
[0010] According to the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the pendulum hinge according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.
[0011] The present invention circumvents the aforementioned problems by directly utilizing the maximum possible leverage, and by eliminating almost all friction beyond the minimal, unavoidable friction in conventional pivot bearings due to force redirection or sliding surfaces. Thus, the spring force acts practically directly at the lever's point of application. Furthermore, the effective torque of, for example, a door leaf can be influenced by the arrangement of the pivot axes as a function of the opening angle, enabling a nearly linear torque to be achieved over a wide range, which prevents excessively rapid closing. Despite this, the torque remains relatively high just before reaching the center position, preventing a dead spot that would bring the door leaf to a standstill before it enters the attraction zone of preferably provided closing magnets.Providing at least relatively small magnets on the closing side is advantageous in order to overcome the unavoidable friction of sealing brushes near the center position. Furthermore, the uniform torque distribution achieved by the inventive design of the pendulum hinge effectively prevents torsional vibrations of a door leaf. Brief description of the drawings
[0012] Further objectives, features, advantages and application possibilities of the pendulum hinge according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings.
[0013] The drawings show Fig. 1 the essential parts of the pendulum hinge according to the invention, such as spring device and connecting elements, in an advantageous embodiment in a perspective exploded view; Fig. 2 the essential parts of the invention as in Fig. 1 in another exploded view; Fig. 3 the essential parts of the invention as in Fig. 1 in its assembled state in perspective view; Fig. 4 the essential parts of the invention in lateral section; Fign. 5a bis 5c Individual sectional drawings of the connecting part and the spring assembly; Fig. 6 the entire pendulum hinge according to the invention in a further advantageous embodiment with two components in section, wherein Fig. 6 the pivot points formed by the interlocking sliding surfaces, as well as the connecting and joint bolts; Fig. 7 the pendulum hinge as in Fig. 6 in a perspective view. Implementation of the invention
[0014] As from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the pendulum hinge 1 according to the invention comprises two hinge parts 10, 11 for pivotally connecting several components 2, 3, wherein the hinge parts 10, 11 are pivotably connected via two axes of rotation A', A'' with adjacent sliding surfaces 1000, 1100, wherein, to form the two axes of rotation A', A'', at least two spaced-apart receptacles 100 are provided on the first hinge part 10 for forming the sliding surfaces 1000 on the first hinge part 10 and at least two sliding elements 110 are provided on the second hinge part 11, corresponding to the receptacles 100 on the first hinge part 10 and forming the sliding surfaces 1100 on the second hinge part 11, wherein the two hinge parts 10, 11 are operatively connected to each other by spring tension via at least one spring device 12.wherein the spring device 12 is formed from at least one connecting part 120 which can be reversibly arranged on the second hinge part 11 and at least one spring element 121 which holds the connecting part 120.
[0015] In the pendulum hinge 1 according to the invention, the spring element 121 is formed from at least two compression springs 1210', 1210'' extending symmetrically to a longitudinal axis L of the adjacent hinge parts 10, 11 running through the connecting part 120, wherein the compression springs 1210', 1210'' are guided linearly along their axes DA which are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis L by a linear guide 122.
[0016] In the context of this invention, "symmetrical" means that the at least two compression springs are identical in terms of spacing and / or arrangement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adjacent hinge parts running through the connecting part. Advantageously, the compression springs are positioned opposite each other as mirror images with respect to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the compression springs are identical and / or mirror images of each other. It can also be advantageous if the shaped parts of the linear guides that receive the compression springs are identical or mirror images of each other and / or arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0017] In the pendulum hinge as designed, the compression springs 1210', 1210'' are designed to exert a tensile force on the connecting part 120 by means of their corresponding mounting on shaped parts 1220', 1220''; 1220‴, 1220ʺʺ of the linear guides 122, which are arranged in pairs symmetrically to the longitudinal axis L.
[0018] As from Fig. 1 and from Fig. 6 As can be seen, the pendulum hinge 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one first connecting element 101, which is assigned to and attachable to the first hinge part 10, and at least one second connecting element 111, which is assigned to and attachable to the second hinge part 11, wherein the at least two connecting elements 101, 111 are each connected or are connected to the components 2, 3. In an embodiment not shown, the hinge parts 10, 11 and / or the connecting elements 101, 111 can also be formed as part of the components 2, 3. As can be seen from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the second connecting element 111 is preferably formed by the two shaped parts 1220''', 1220ʺʺ of the linear guide 122 or these are preferably connected to the second connecting element 111.
[0019] The tensile force arises when the ends of the compression springs 1210', 1210'' facing the pivot points D or the second hinge part 11 are fixed to the first hinge part 10. If, as in DE 10 2007 020 730 A1, the end of a compression spring facing away from the pivot point D is fixed, a compressive force arises, which in this case acts via a bolt in the direction of the pivot point D. The ends of the compression springs 1210', 1210'' that are movable relative to the first hinge part 10 thus point in the direction away from the pivot points D or the second hinge part 11. In the present case, the tensile force arises from the corresponding arrangement and design of the compression springs 1210', 1210'' and the shaped parts 1220', 1220'' according to the invention. 1220''', 1220ʺʺ in the compound state of the pendulum hinge 1, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 6 is shown, preferably when - as shown by way of example - the first connecting element 101 is firmly connected to the first hinge part 10 and the second connecting element 111 is firmly connected to the second hinge part 11.
[0020] For this purpose, the pendulum hinge 1 preferably comprises at least one clamping element 1221 by means of which the spring tension between the movable and stationary components 1220', 1220''; 1220''', 1220ʺʺ of the linear guide 122 can be released. It is particularly advantageous if the distance between the movable components 1220', 1220'' and the stationary components 1220''', 1220ʺʺ is variable by means of the at least one clamping element 1221. For this purpose, preferably two clamping elements 1221 are provided, which can be, for example, guided by the compression springs 1210', 1210''. The at least one clamping element 1221 can, for example, be designed as a screw or as a bolt.
[0021] The at least one clamping element 1221 is inserted into the corresponding guide and preferably screwed in place before the connecting elements 101, 111 are connected to the hinge parts 10, 11, so that the compression springs 1210', 1210'' are tensioned (see Fig. 3 ). In the tensioned state of the compression springs 1210', 1210'', the connecting elements 101, 111 can then be connected to the hinge part 10, 11 without spring tension, which is then released again by removing at least one clamping element 1221, so that the tensile force is built up on the connecting part 120.
[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting elements 110, 111 can be reversibly connected to the components 2, 3 by means of a screw connection 1100, 1110. Particularly preferably, the profiles have internal webs for fastening the hinge part.
[0023] As from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the pendulum hinge 1 according to the invention is characterized in that the linear guide 122 comprises at least two movable shaped parts 1220', 1220'' arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis L, which are rigidly connected to one another by a connecting bolt 123 extending parallel to the axes of rotation A', A'', wherein the connecting part 120 is pivotably arranged on the connecting bolt 123. On the opposite side, the connecting part 120 is pivotably connected to the respective opposite hinge part 10, 11 on a receiving bolt 124.
[0024] Preferably the linear guide 122 comprises at least two immovable shaped parts 1220''', 1220'''' arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis L, each of which is rigidly connected to one of the components 2, 3.
[0025] On the movable molded parts 1220', 1220'' and / or on the immovable molded parts 1220''', 1220ʺʺ, preferably at least one receptacle 12200 is formed for receiving the ends of the compression springs 1210', 1210''.
[0026] The movable molded parts 1220', 1220'' are also preferably connected to each other by means of at least one connecting element 12201.
[0027] As from Fig. 4 As can be seen, the axis of the force-transmitting connecting bolt 123 lies within the ends of the compression springs 1210', 1210''. List of reference numbers
[0028] 1. Pivot hinge 2. First component 3. Second component 10. First hinge part 11. Second hinge part 12. Spring assembly 100. Mounts on the first hinge part 101. First connecting element of the first hinge part 110. Sliding body on the second hinge part 111. Second connecting element of the second hinge part 120. Connecting part 121. Spring element 122. Linear guides 123. Connecting bolt 124. Mounting bolt 1000. Sliding surfaces on the first hinge part 1010. Screw connection on the first connecting element 1100. Sliding surfaces on the second hinge part 1110. Screw connection on the second connecting element 1210', 1210", 1220', 1220''. Compression springs 1220''', 1220ʺʺ. Molded parts of the linear guide 1221. Clamping element(s) 12200. Mount on the molded parts 12201Connecting element on the molded parts A', A"Axes of rotation DPivot points LLlongitudinal axis running through the connecting part
Claims
1. Pendulum hinge (1) comprising two hinge parts (10, 11) for pivotably connecting a plurality of components (2, 3), wherein the hinge parts (10, 11) are pivotably connected via two axes of rotation (A', A") with mutually adjoining sliding surfaces (1000, 1100), wherein, for forming the two axes of rotation (A', A''), at least two receptacles (100) arranged at a distance from one another are provided on the first hinge part (10) for forming the sliding surfaces (1000) on the first hinge part (10), and at least two sliding bodies (110), correspondingly cooperating with the receptacles (100) on the first hinge part (10) and formed for creating the sliding surfaces (1100) on the second hinge part (11), are provided on the second hinge part (11), wherein the two hinge parts (10, 11) are operatively connected to one another by spring tension via at least one spring device (12), wherein the spring device (12) is formed by at least one connecting part (120) which can be reversibly arranged on the second hinge part (11), and at least one spring element (121) holding the connecting part (120), wherein the spring element (121) is formed by at least two compression springs (1210', 1210'') extending symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the adjoining hinge parts (10, 11) passing through the connecting part (120), wherein the compression springs (1210', 1210") are linearly guided along their axes (DA), which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), by means of a linear guide (122), wherein the compression springs (1210', 1210'') are designed, by being correspondingly received in form elements (1220', 1220''; 1220''', 1220ʺʺ) of the linear guide (122) arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), to exert a tensile force on the connecting part (120), characterized in that the linear guide (122) comprises at least two movable form elements (1220', 1220'') arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), which are rigidly connected to one another by a connecting pin (123) extending parallel to the axes of rotation (A', A''), wherein the connecting part (120) is pivotably arranged on the connecting pin (123).
2. Pendulum hinge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the compression springs (1210', 1210'') facing the pivot points (D) or the second hinge part (11) are fixed to the first hinge part (10).
3. Pendulum hinge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ends of the compression springs (1210', 1210") which are movable relative to the first hinge part (10) point in the direction facing away from the pivot points (D) or the second hinge part (11).
4. Pendulum hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear guide (122) comprises at least two immovable form elements (1220‴, 1220ʺʺ) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), each of which is fixedly connected to one of the components (2, 3).
5. Pendulum hinge (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one receptacle (12200) for receiving the ends of the compression springs (1210', 1210'') is formed respectively on the movable form elements (1220', 1220'') and / or on the immovable form elements (1220‴, 1220ʺʺ).
6. Pendulum hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one tensioning element (1221) is provided, by means of which the spring tension between the movable and immovable form elements (1220', 1220''; 1220‴, 1220ʺʺ) of the linear guide (122) can be released.
7. Pendulum hinge (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance between the movable form elements (1220', 1220'') and the immovable form elements (1220‴, 1220ʺʺ) is variable by means of the at least one tensioning element (1221).
8. Pendulum hinge (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least two tensioning elements (1221) are provided, which can be passed through the compression springs (1210', 1210'').
9. Pendulum hinge (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one tensioning element (1221) is formed as a screw or as a bolt.
10. Pendulum hinge (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the movable form elements (1220', 1220'') are connected to one another by means of at least one connecting element (12201).
11. Pendulum hinge (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the axis of the force-transmitting connecting pin (123) lies within the ends of the compression springs (1210', 1210'').