HINGE DEVICE WITH PROGRAMMABLE OPERATION
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MX2022010070
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-02-17
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-02-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing hinges are complex, bulky, expensive, limited in function, noisy, prone to performance changes over time, and subject to environmental conditions, with issues like jams and sliding friction.
A hinge device with programmable operation based on mechanical transmission and viscous friction, featuring a simple design suitable for small spaces, silent operation, and adjustable functionality through modifiable parts.
The hinge device provides a quiet, fluid, and adaptable operation with programmable force transmission, reducing complexity and performance variability, suitable for various applications including small spaces like domestic oven doors.
Smart Images
Figure MX430959B0
Abstract
Description
- 1 HINGE DEVICE. WITH PROGRAMMABLE OPERATION DESCRIPTION Field of Invention The present invention relates to the technical field of hinges for appliances and furniture for domestic, commercial and industrial use and relates to a hinge device with programmable operation suitable, in particular, but not exclusively, for shutters or doors with a horizontal rotation axis. Background of the Invention Hinges are known that are capable of providing variable static operation depending on the opening angle of the hinge itself, for example, to increase the closing force to compress sealing gaskets or to provide metastable intermediate positions between full closure and full opening. Hinges are also known that can provide variable dynamic operation according to the opening angle of the hinge itself, for example, to reduce any excessive rotation speed or to provide a smooth closing rotation. One disadvantage of these well-known hinges is that they are often complex and / or bulky and expensive. Another disadvantage of such known hinges is the fact that they can be assigned and manufactured to provide different functions with narrow limitations. Another drawback of these well-known hinges is that they often rely on dynamic sliding friction for their operation and are therefore subject to changes in performance over time, with use, and with changes in environmental conditions. Another disadvantage of the hinges in question is that they can be noisy and unpleasant and / or have a sluggish operation or be prone to jamming. Summary of the Invention One objective of the present invention is to propose a hinge device - 2 with a relatively simple programmable operation and of sufficiently small dimensions to allow installation even in small spaces such as, for example, those of domestic oven doors. Another purpose is to propose a device whose operation can be programmed differently by simply modifying some parts. Another purpose is to propose a hinge whose operation is based primarily on the mechanical transmission of forces and possibly also on viscous friction phenomena and without parts assigned for sliding mechanical friction. Another purpose is to propose a device with quiet and smooth operation. Patent application DE 10 2011 081917 Al describes a hinge device according to the preamble of claim 1 of the present application. Brief Description of the Figures of the Invention The features of the invention are highlighted below with special reference to the accompanying drawings where: Figures 1 and 2 show axonometric views, from respective and opposite viewpoints, of a first modality of a hinge device with programmable operation, the object of the present invention, shown in a partially open condition; Figures 3 and 4 show side and front views respectively of the device in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a front view of the device in Figure 1 where some parts have been removed to better highlight others; - Figures 6 and 7 show sectional views along planes VI-VI and VII-VII of Figure 4, where Figure 6 is also enlarged; Figures 8-13 show the sectioned hinge of Figure 7 in progressive conditions from extreme opening to closing, where in Figures 11 and 12 an element has been partially removed; - Figures 14, 14a and 14b show an exploded view of the UU lu - 3 device of Figure 1 and partial and enlarged views of a single element of the same and associated with another element; Figures 15 and 16 show axonometric views, from respective and opposite viewpoints, of a variant of the device in Figure 1; Figure 17 shows a side view of the device in Figure 15; Figure 18 shows a cross-sectional view from a longitudinal mid-plane of the device in Figure 17; Figures 19-21 show sectional views according to plans XIX-XIX of Figure 18 and according to plans XX-XX and XXI-XXI of Figure 17, where Figures 20 and 21 are also enlarged; Figures 22-26 show the sectioned hinge of Figure 18 under progressive conditions from closed to fully open; Figures 27-31 show front views and where a portion of an element has been removed to highlight the underlying parts of the hinges in Figures 22-26 respectively; Figure 32 shows an exploded view of the device in Figure 15; Figure 33 shows a Cartesian representation of the closing torque trend as a function of the opening angle of the devices in Figure 1 by means of a gray line with empty points and of Figure 15 by means of a black line with solid points; Figure 34 shows a Cartesian representation of the trend of a parameter d (whose physical meaning of distance is represented in Figures 10, 22 and 23) as a function of the opening angle, in the devices of Figure 1, by means of a gray line with empty points, and of Figure 15, by means of a black line with solid points. Detailed Description of the Invention With reference to Figures 1-14, number 1 indicates the programmable hinge device comprising a first member 3 and a second member 5 rotatably connected to each other by means of a hinge pivot pin 7. It should be noted that the terms proximal and distal will be used below in association with the names of two elements in reference to their position with -4with respect to the hinge pin-pivot 7, for example, the end of an elongated element closest to the hinge pin-pivot will be referred to as the proximal end of the elongated element, while the opposite and more distant end will be referred to as the distal end of the elongated element. One of these members, first 3 and second 5, is assigned to be fixed to a structure or frame of an apparatus and the other to be fixed to a door or shutter for the rotation of the latter between the closed and fully open conditions of the apparatus. For example, and with reference to the door of a domestic oven, the first member can be fixed to the oven door while the second member can be removably fixed to the body of the oven. The first member 3 comprises an elongated, roughly prismatic, box-shaped body 9 with three longitudinal sides and a distal end wall, for example, made of cut, stamped, and bent sheet metal. Two longitudinal walls of the body are parallel and oriented and joined by the third longitudinal wall, forming a sort of C-section element open at one longitudinal side and one proximal end side. The opposite proximal 4 and distal 6 ends of the body 9 respectively carry a seat for the hinge pin 7 and a connecting or coupling member 11, housed on said surface of the distal end, for an elastic element 13. The elastic element 13 is connected to a distal end 14 of a transmission member 15, which is at least partially contained within the box-shaped body 9 and movable relative to it. This connection between the elastic element 13 and the transmission member 15 is designed to transmit the elastic force of the elastic element 13 to the transmission member 15. This force acts along a respective operating direction A and in the direction opposite the hinge pin 7, or in the distal direction. An area or portion 8 of the second member 5, located at a predetermined distance from the hinge pin 7, is connected to the proximal end 16, opposite the elastic element 13, of the transmission member 15. In this way, the elastic force of the elastic element 13 is transmitted from the transmission member 15 to the second member 5 in an eccentric area to subject the second member 5 to an elastic closing torque, i.e., intended to bring the first and second members of the hinge to form an angle - 5 interposed minimum value. Said box-shaped body 9 is provided with at least one elongated guide 17 whose geometric axis is parallel to the operating direction A and along which at least one retaining element 19 slides, fixed to said distal end 14 of the transmission member 15. The elongated guide 17 can be made, for example, of a plastic element with one or two sliding rails and inserted into the body, or the body 9 can be provided with two elongated guides of the slot type housed on parallel and opposite surfaces of the body 9 itself; in a preferred alternative and as clearly seen in Figure 6, the body comprises two elongated guides, each composed of a C-section profile obtained by bending a respective side wall of the body 9; another alternative provides that each elongated guide is formed by two bent and parallel fins obtained from two respective slots made parallel to each other in said side wall of the body. Preferably, the containment element 19 comprises a shaft or axle coupled in its seats obtained at the proximal end 36 of a connecting rod 37 - described below - of the elastic element 13 and at the distal end 14 of the transmission member 15 for their mutual rotary connection, said containment element 19 also comprises two rolling elements fixed to the respective ends of said shaft or axle, each of these rolling elements intended to roll along a respective elongated guide 17, housed on a respective side of the body 9, of the groove type or preferably of the C-section profile type as shown in the Figures. One between the transmission member 15 and the box-shaped body 9 is provided with a first elongated groove 23 and the other 9, 15 is provided with a first moving element 25 slidably coupled in the first elongated groove 23. Preferably, and as shown in the Figures, the transmission member 15 is provided with the first elongated groove 23 passing through and crossing the first movable element 25, being movable at least with respect to the first elongated groove, whose opposite ends are rigidly fixed to the respective parallel and opposite surfaces of the body. One between said portion 8 of the second member 5 and the proximal end 16 of the transmission member 15 carries a second groove 31 and the other 16, 8 carries a second movable element 33, being movable at least with respect to the second groove - 6 31 where it is attached in a sliding manner. Preferably and as shown in the Figures, the second slot 31 is housed in portion 8 by means of the second member 5 and is slidably coupled by the second moving element 33 rigidly fixed to the proximal end 16 of the transmission member 15. At least the shape of the first elongated groove 23, for example in the shape of an elongated and deformed S, as shown in the Figures, determines the inclination of the transmission member 15 with respect to the operating direction A and to the body 9, which helps to determine the distance from the hinge pivot pin 7 of the point of application of the elastic force to the second member 5, which is the distance between the hinge pivot pin and the point of contact between the second groove 31 and the second moving element 33 fixed to the transmission member and / or helps to determine the direction of the elastic force transmitted to the second member 5, as a function of the angle formed between the first member 3 and the second member 5 in the opening and closing phases of the door or shutter. The geometric median line of the first elongated groove 23, which is the curved line parallel to and interposed between the longitudinal edges of the first elongated groove, can be almost straight or curved with a constant or variable curvature, with curvature of constant sign or, preferably and as shown in the Figures, the geometric median line of the first elongated groove 23 has two portions that have curvatures of opposite sign and are separated by an inflection point, i.e., by a point with zero curvature. Preferably and as shown in the Figures, the median geometric line of the second groove 31 is almost straight and inclined or, alternatively, it may be straight and radial with respect to the hinge pin-pivot 7 or it may be curved. The connecting rod element 37 of the elastic element 13 has an elongated shape with its proximal end 36 rotatably connected, by means of the restraining element 19, to the distal end 14 of the transmission member 15, transmitting to the latter 15 the elastic force of the elastic element 13, which further comprises a spring, for example a helical spring, axially coupled by a longitudinal portion of the transmission member 15, which thus acts as a spring guide. The spring, which preferably, as shown in the Figures, is external to the body 9, is compressed between the connecting or coupling member 11 of the distal end 6 of the body 9 and a retainer. - 7 transverse fixed to the distal end of the connecting rod element 37 protruding from the body 9 parallel to the operating direction A. Said connecting member or coupling 11 consists of the distal surface of the distal end wall of the body 9 that is perpendicular to the operating direction A and connects to said side walls. The distal end wall of the connecting member or coupling 11 has a groove 12 open on its free side, designated for insertion during assembly and for sliding the connecting rod element 37 in the operating state. This configuration facilitates installation of the device and simultaneously allows the connecting rod element 37 to move parallel to itself and to the operating direction A, ensuring quieter operation and contributing to smooth rotation. This groove 12, shown in Figures 14a and 14b, can be fitted with a shaped sleeve made of anti-friction material to further improve the sliding of the connecting rod element 37 or, for specific applications where sliding friction is not a disadvantage, with a friction material to brake the connecting rod element 37. Furthermore, the distal surface of the distal wall of the body 9 that constitutes the connecting or coupling member 11 may comprise an edge or a projection or cavity assigned to engage with the proximal end of the spring to prevent unwanted decoupling of the spring from the connecting or coupling member 11 and the risk of the connecting rod element 37 coming out of the open groove 12. The transmission member 15 consists of three elements of at least partially flat shape, each of which carries a through opening corresponding to the first elongated groove 23. When the three shaped elements are fixed together, for example, by pins, rivets or the like, to form the transmission member 15, the three openings align side by side to form the first elongated groove 23. The distal 14 and proximal 16 ends of two of these shaped elements, fixed laterally to the remaining shaped element positioned centrally between them, protrude from the shorter central shaped element and have holes for the pins of the fastening element 19 and the second movable element 33, and distal and proximal concave seats assigned to accommodate the - 8 less in part, respectively, the proximal end 36 of the connecting rod element 37 and portion 8 of the second member 5. Each of the first movable elements 25 and second 33 comprises a pin or, as shown in Figure 14, comprises a pin and a respective rotating bushing. The variant of device 1, shown as an example in Figures 1532, differs from the previous modality mainly in the shape of the first elongated groove 23 and in the adoption of a damping member 39. This damping member 39 is preferably of the linear type with an elastic return spring at its maximum length. The internal portion of the connecting rod element 37's body 9 is provided with a window 38, for example, approximately rectangular in shape as shown in the Figures, particularly in Figure 32, almost parallel and equidistant from the two side walls and mutually parallel to the body 9, each of which carries a proximal stop 42 and a distal stop 43 clearly visible, for example, in Figures 19-21. These stops can be obtained by processing, for example, cutting or stamping and deformation by punching the two side walls of the body 9 where they are grooved. The extension along the operating direction A of said window 38 and the distance between said proximal stops 42 and distal stops 43 are approximately equal to or slightly greater than said maximum length of the damping member 39 that is housed in the body 9 between said stops 42, 43 and is housed in the window 38. In particular, said window extension and distance between stops may be equal to said maximum length of the shock absorber or one of them may be equal and the other greater. The mutual positions and respective dimensions of the window 38 and the space between the stops 42, 43 determine the angular opening and / or closing sectors of the device where the damping member 39 is compressed between one of the transverse sides of the window and one of the stops and dampens the rotational speed of the device; therefore, the damping action of the rotational speed of the damping member 39 can be programmed to activate in almost all conditions, in the terminal opening and closing sections of the device or only in one terminal opening or closing section. It should be noted that the shape of the first elongated groove 23 greatly affects ινΐΛ / a / zuzz / ui uu / u - 9 measure to the operating parameters of the device, as shown in Figures 33 and 34 in relation to the different shapes of the respective first elongated slots shown in Figures 1-14b of the first described form of the device and in Figures 15-32 of the variant. Figure 34 shows how these different shapes of the first grooves determine the different angular tendencies of the distances d between the hinge pin-pivot 7 and the second moving element 33 in the first modality -Figure 10- and in the variant -Figures 22 and 23- as a consequence of these differences between the respective first elongated grooves. Under static or almost static conditions, the elastic torque applied to the second member depends not only on the distance do of the arm, but also on the angle it forms with respect to the arm of the directrix of the force transmitted by the second moving element 33 to the edge of the second slot 31 and depends on other factors such as the shortening of the spring. Figure 33 shows the differences in the angular trend of the closing torque in the two forms of the device, again as a consequence of the respective and different shapes of the first elongated slots and with the same other characteristics of the two forms of the device. Therefore, it is possible to predetermine or program the torque trend by changing the shape of the first elongated groove and possibly also acting on the shape or inclination of the second groove. Determining the shape of the first elongated slot and possibly the shape and / or inclination of the second slot allows modulating and / or adjusting the effect of the damping member 39 on the dynamic performance of the second member 5.
Claims
1. A hinge device comprising a first member and a second member rotatably connected to each other by means of a hinge pin, one of said first and second members being assigned to be fixed to a structure or frame of an apparatus and the other to be fixed to a door or shutter for the rotation of the latter between the closed and fully open conditions of the apparatus;the first member comprises a box-shaped body whose opposite proximal and distal ends respectively have a seat for the hinge pivot pin and a connecting or coupling member for an elastic element connected to a distal end of a transmission member contained at least partially in the box-shaped body and movable with respect to the latter to transmit to said transmission member the elastic force of the elastic element acting in a respective operating direction (A) and in the opposite direction to the hinge pivot axis, or to the second member, a portion of which, positioned at a predetermined distance from a hinge pivot pin, connects to the proximal end, opposite the elastic element, of said transmission member;said box-shaped body is equipped with at least one elongated guide whose geometric axis is parallel to the operating direction (A) and along which at least one retaining element fixed to said distal end of the transmission member slides; one between the transmission member and the box-shaped body is equipped with a first elongated groove and the other is equipped with a first movable element slidably coupled in the first elongated groove;one between said portion of the second member and the proximal end of the transmission member has a second groove and the other has a second movable element slidably coupled in the second groove, at least the shape of the first elongated groove contributes to determining the distance from the hinge pivot pin of the point of application of the elastic force and / or the direction of the elastic force transmitted to the second member and as a function of the angle formed between the first and second elements in the opening and closing phases of said door or shutter;said device is characterized in that the elastic element comprises an elongated connecting rod element having a proximal end rotatably connected to said distal end of the transmission member to transmit to the transmission member the elastic force of the elastic element and in that the transmission member consists of three elements - 11 formed at least partially flat, each with a through opening corresponding to the first elongated groove, the distal and proximal ends of two of them, fixed laterally to the remaining space centrally between them, having seats respectively for the retaining element and for the second movable element, the central element being shorter than the sides that make the distal and proximal seats respectively for the proximal end of a connecting rod element and for the portion of the second member;The first and second moving elements each comprise a pin or a pin and a respective rotating bushing.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first elongated groove and the first movable element are obtained respectively in the transmission member and are fixed to the box-shaped body, and in that the second groove and the second movable element are obtained respectively in the portion of the second member and are fixed to the proximal end of the transmission member; wherein the geometric median line of the first elongated groove is one between nearly straight or curved with constant or variable curvature of constant sign or with at least two sections of curvature of opposite sign and separated by an inflection point, and wherein the geometric median line of the second groove is one between nearly straight and inclined or radial or curved.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the proximal end of the elongated connecting rod element of the elastic element is rotatably connected to said distal end of the transmission member by means of the retaining element, thereby transmitting the elastic force of the elastic element to the transmission member.
4. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containment element comprises a shaft or axle coupled in its seats formed at the proximal end of the connecting rod element and at the distal end of the transmission member for their mutually rotatable connection, said containment element further comprising two rolling elements fixed to the respective ends of said shaft or axle, each of these rolling elements being intended to roll along a respective elongated guide formed on a respective side of the body.
5. The device according to claim 4 characterized in that each elongated guide consists of a C-section profile obtained by bending a side wall of the body or obtained from two bent and parallel fins - 12 formed from two respective grooves made parallel in said wall.
6. The device according to claim 3 characterized in that the elastic element comprises a compressed spring between the connecting or coupling member of the distal end of the body and a retainer fixed to the distal end of the connecting rod element parallel to the direction of operation (A) and protruding from the body.
7. The device according to claim 6, or according to claim 6 and any of claims 2, 4 and 5, characterized in that the connecting or coupling member consists of a distal surface of a distal body wall that is perpendicular to the operating direction (A) and connects to said side walls and has at least one free side.
8. The device according to claim 7 characterized in that said connecting or coupling member has on its free side an open groove assigned for insertion during assembly and for sliding in the operating state of the connecting rod element.
9. The device according to claim 8 characterized in that the distal surface of the distal wall of the body constituting the connecting or coupling member comprises an edge or protrusion or cavity assigned to engage with the proximal end of the spring to prevent unwanted decoupling of the spring from the connecting or coupling member and the risk of the connecting rod element coming out through the open slot.
10. The device according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that it comprises a linear-type damping element with a spring return at its maximum length and in that the connecting rod element is equipped with a window and is almost parallel and equidistant from said two parallel side walls of the body, each of which has a proximal stop and a distal stop wherein the development along the operating direction (A) of this window and the distance between these proximal and distal stops is approximately equal to or slightly greater than said maximum length of the damping element housed in the body between said stops and contained in the window.
11. The device according to claim 10 characterized in that the mutual positions and respective dimensions of the window and the space between the stops determine the angular sectors of opening and / or closing of the device in which the damping member dampens the rotation speed of the device.