Adjustable Door Hinge With Vertical And Horizontal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinges face issues with pin installation difficulty, clearance changes due to settling and humidity, and misalignment, leading to frictional contact and operational problems.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable door hinge design with vertical and horizontal adjustment mechanisms, featuring a base, panel leaf, adjustment transfer elements, and bushings to reduce friction and allow pin installation from either side, along with a cap system to prevent pin backout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hinges with pins having enlarged heads are used to prevent pin backout, then pin retention is improved, but installation complexity increases and installation direction is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pin design by eliminating the enlarged head and instead providing a cap that fits over the pin end. This allows the pin to be installed from either direction without requiring an asymmetric head design, simplifying installation while maintaining pin retention through the cap system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin retention function is segmented from the pin itself. Instead of the pin having an integrated head, the retention mechanism is separated into a distinct cap component that can be independently installed and adjusted, reducing overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If hinges are installed with precise clearances initially, then door operation is smooth at installation, but clearance changes occur due to settling and humidity causing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates adjustable components that allow the clearance between door and jamb to be dynamically modified. The door leaf can be repositioned vertically and horizontally to compensate for settling and humidity-induced dimensional changes, maintaining smooth operation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changing the geometric parameters of the hinge assembly, specifically the position of the door leaf relative to the jamb, to accommodate environmental changes. This allows the system to adapt to varying clearance conditions caused by building settlement and material expansion/contraction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate settling and misalignment, then clearance adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: it compensates for building settlement, corrects installation misalignment, and accommodates humidity-induced dimensional changes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by addressing several problems with a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge provides more adjustment capability than minimally required, allowing over-correction of misalignment issues. The adjustment range exceeds what is strictly necessary, ensuring that even significant settling or installation errors can be compensated.
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 adjustable hinge reduces friction, improves installation versatility, and maintains smooth door operation by allowing adjustments to accommodate settling and humidity changes, and misalignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
bushings to reduce friction
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable door hinge includes a receptor base and a panel leaf adjustably secured to the receptor base and at least partially defining a vertical adjustment opening and a horizontal adjustment opening. An adjustment transfer element is at least partially contained within the vertical adjustment opening and a vertical adjustment element is rotatably connected to the adjustment transfer element. Rotation of the vertical adjustment element adjusts a position of the panel leaf to any position between a first position and a second position. A horizontal adjustment element is rotatably connected to the horizontal adjustment opening. Rotation of the horizontal adjustment element adjusts a position of the panel leaf to any position between a third position and a fourth position. Vertical and horizontal adjustment of the hinge may be performed independently.