3D-Printed Hinge Assembly With Monolithic Rotating Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge assemblies in industries such as oil and gas are costly, complex, and prone to failure due to multiple components and assembly challenges, leading to increased manufacturing and assembly time, as well as potential failure points.
Innovation Solution
An additively manufactured hinge assembly is developed, where the hub and vanes are simultaneously formed as distinct, inseparable monolithic components using advanced 3D printing techniques, reducing the number of sub-components and joints, and enabling complex geometries and materials that enhance reliability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinge assemblies use multiple separate components that are assembled together, then the assembly can be manufactured using traditional manufacturing methods, but the assembly time increases, manufacturing cost increases, and the number of potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate hinge components (hub, vanes, mounting arms, pins, fasteners) into a single monolithic component manufactured through additive manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for assembly operations while maintaining all functional characteristics of the traditional multi-component hinge assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinge assemblies use multiple separate components with joints and fastening points, then the assembly can be manufactured using traditional methods, but the number of potential failure points increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate hinge components (hub, vanes, mounting arms, pins, fasteners) into a single monolithic component manufactured through additive manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for assembly operations while maintaining all functional characteristics of the traditional multi-component hinge assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinge assemblies use multiple separate components, then the assembly can be manufactured using traditional manufacturing methods, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate hinge components (hub, vanes, mounting arms, pins, fasteners) into a single monolithic component manufactured through additive manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for assembly operations while maintaining all functional characteristics of the traditional multi-component hinge assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a more reliable, cost-effective, and efficient hinge assembly with reduced assembly time and fewer potential failure points, capable of complex configurations and improved performance through integral formation and varied material properties.
Implementation Method 1
The hub and the rotatable member are simultaneously additively manufactured as distinct, but inseparable monolithic components
Implementation Method 2
The hinge member has a first nesting feature shaped complementary to at least a portion the first mounting arm and a second nesting feature shaped complementary to at least a portion of the second mounting arm of the hub to nest the hinge member between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A hinge assembly (100) and a method (300) of additively manufacturing the same are provided. The hinge assembly (100) includes a hub (110) defining a body (112) and a first mounting arm (114) and a second mounting arm (116) each projecting from the body (112). The first mounting arm (114) and the second mounting arm (116) are spaced from one another and define a hinge axis (HA). The hinge assembly (100) also includes a rotatable member or vane (140) rotatably coupled with the hub (110) and positioned between the first mounting arm (114) and the second mounting arm (116). The rotatable member (140) defines a vane hinge member or hinge member (150) having a first nesting feature (166) shaped complementary to a portion the first mounting arm (114) and a second nesting feature (168) shaped complementary to a portion of the second mounting arm (116) of the hub (110) to nest the hinge member (150) between the first mounting arm (114) and the second mounting arm (116). The hub (110) and the rotatable member (140) are simultaneously additively manufactured as distinct, but inseparable monolithic components.