Adjustable Hinge with Hardened Annular Collar for Form Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges face issues with permanent damage to more expensive housing components due to the combination of hard clamping discs and softer materials, and they often limit adjustment range and complexity in assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design featuring a sharp-edged annular collar or gripper surface with a higher hardness than the mating components, allowing for a continuous form fit and stepless adjustment, enabling easy assembly and replacement of softer components without damaging the hinge plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hard clamping disc is combined with softer housing material to achieve a form fit connection, then the connection strength is improved, but permanent damage is caused to the more expensive housing part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidpermanent damage to housing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the adjusting disc softer than the hinge plate. Instead of the hard clamping disc damaging the soft housing, the soft adjusting disc deforms to create a form fit with the hard hinge plate, allowing the adjusting disc to be easily replaced while preserving the expensive hinge plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting disc is designed as a replaceable, less expensive component made of softer material that can be easily replaced when worn. This follows the principle of making the sacrificial component cheaper and more replaceable, while preserving the more expensive hinge plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If a sharp-edged elevation with higher hardness is used to create a continuous form fit, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the complexity of manufacturing the sharp-edged feature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of sharp-edged feature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter (hardness) of the elevation relative to the mating surface. By making the elevation harder than the hinge plate surface, it can be pressed into the softer material to create a permanent form fit groove, simplifying assembly while the complexity is managed through material selection rather than complex geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of repair

If the adjusting disc is made of softer material to allow easy deformation and replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacementVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the traditional hardness assignment: the adjusting disc is softer than the hinge plate. This allows the adjusting disc to deform and create a form fit in the harder hinge plate, ensuring that the connection strength is determined by the harder hinge plate material while the softer adjusting disc remains easily replaceable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design allows for quick, easy, and secure assembly in all directions, maintaining a positive form fit and preventing unintentional adjustment, while being cost-effective and reducing wear on the hinge plate.

Implementation Method 1

the softer adjustment disc is deformed during adjustment and can be easily and inexpensively replaced later

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

with the help of the different degrees of hardness of the two components, a continuous form fit is achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHardness difference:

Implementation Method 3

Thanks to the jagged design of the ring collar, stepless adjustment can take place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

a continuous form fit is achieved with the help of the different degrees of hardness of the two components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP1760233B1Adjustable hinge

Publication Date: 2012.09.26 OTTO GANTER GMBH & CO KG NORMTEILEFAB

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AI summary

The invention relates to an adjustable hinge comprising at least one pivotable hinge plate with at least one through-hole, and comprising at least one adjusting disc with at least one through-hole, the through-holes being provided for the insertion of mounting elements for fastening the hinge, wherein the adjusting disc and the hinge plate are adjustable relative to each other in the plane of the hinge plate, and wherein the adjusting disc and/or the hinge plate have at least one projecting sharp-edged annular collar and/or a plurality of pointed projections which have a higher degree of hardness than the mating surfaces of the interacting component, namely the adjusting disc or the hinge plate. The advantage is that the adjusting disc can be adjusted relative to the hinge plate as desired, i.e., also rotated, and positively locked in place.