Adjustable Hinge With Sliding Friction Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges with horizontal and lower rotation axes for doors and shutters face issues such as insufficient and non-adjustable braking, complexity, bulkiness, high material requirements leading to excessive weight and cost, sensitivity to liquids and oils, and inadequate closing force for optimal seal contact or door locking.
Innovation Solution
A compact, adjustable hinge device with a sliding friction mechanism, a balancing spring, and a connecting rod system that allows controlled braking, reversible stops, and sufficient closing force, using materials like metal sheets and plastic or copper alloys to optimize friction and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction elements are used to provide braking action, then the door can be slowed and stabilized in positions, but the braking action is insufficient and not adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The friction element is made adjustable through a screw mechanism that allows dynamic modification of the braking force. The screw (19) can be rotated to change the position of the friction element (7) relative to the seat (9), thereby dynamically adjusting the braking action to match different door weights and desired stopping positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking parameter is made variable through the adjustable screw mechanism. By changing the position of the friction element along the rectilinear seat, the normal force between the friction elements is modified, which directly changes the braking force. This allows the same hinge to adapt to different door configurations and braking requirements.
2Strength
If robust and machined with high accuracy materials are used to transmit forces, then the forces can be transmitted reliably, but the costs, weights and dimensions become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge uses thin-walled profiles with optimized wall thicknesses (0.5-1.5 mm for metal sheets) rather than solid robust materials. The structural parameters are changed to achieve sufficient strength with minimal weight. The connecting rod (13) and arms (11, 22) are designed as thin-walled structures that provide adequate force transmission without excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge combines different materials to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio. Metal sheets (0.5-1.5 mm thick) are used for structural components requiring strength, while plastic or copper alloys are used for friction elements where specific friction characteristics are needed. This composite approach allows reliable force transmission with reduced overall weight.
3Weight of moving object
If thin-walled profiles are used to reduce weight, then the hinge becomes lighter, but the friction among elements increases excessively causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The friction element (7) acts as an intermediary between the moving parts. It is designed with specific material properties (plastic, copper alloy) and geometry to provide controlled friction for braking and positioning. The friction element absorbs the wear that would otherwise occur between metal components, extending the service life of the hinge while allowing the use of thin-walled profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics are optimized by changing the material parameters of the friction element. Using plastic or copper alloys with specific coefficients of friction allows control of the friction force to prevent excessive wear. The geometry of the friction element and its seat is also optimized to distribute contact pressures and reduce wear on thin-walled components.
4Reliability
If the hinge structure is made complex to provide multiple functions, then the braking and balancing capabilities are improved, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The connecting rod (13) simultaneously serves as a structural link, a lever for the friction mechanism, and a guide for motion. The arms (11, 22) and springs are integrated into the same compact assembly, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall volume while maintaining braking and balancing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge components are arranged in a nested compact configuration. The springs are positioned within the spaces created by the arms and connecting rod. The friction element is nested within the profile structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a minimal volume without interfering with each other's operation.
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 device provides a balanced, adjustable, and reliable braking system that can handle doors of varying weights and sizes, ensuring optimal seal contact and door locking with reduced material usage and increased durability.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding friction means (7) moving with sliding friction along a respective rectilinear seat (9) fixed to or formed in a first face of the first connection means (3)
Implementation Method 2
said first and second connection means (5, 3) being mutually connected by a hinge pin (4) perpendicular to them; said second connection means (5) being thin and elongated in shape and bearing the seat for the hinge pin (4) at one end
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An adjustable and compact hinge device comprises a first connection means (3) assigned to be fixed to a structure or frame and connected by at least one hinge pin (4) to a second connection means (5) assigned to be fixed to a door or a shutter for rotating it with respect to the first connection means (3) between open and closed extreme conditions. Said device (1) comprises a sliding friction means (7) that translates with sliding friction along a rectilinear respective seat (9) fixed to a or carried out onto a first face of the first connection means (3). Such friction means (7) is fixed to a mobile means (11) placed in correspondence of a second face, opposite to the first, of the first connection means (3). The device (1) further comprises a connecting rod means (13) whose ends are rotatably connected, by corresponding pins, respectively to the mobile means (11) and to the second connection means (5) mutually connecting them. The friction means (7) is oval or rectangular shaped with two parallel longitudinal sides and the respective seat (9) has an elongated and concave shape with parallel longitudinal sides and with complementary cross section to that of the friction means (7). The bottom of the seat (9) for the friction means (7) has a pass through slot (15) parallel to the longitudinal sides and assigned to the free sliding of a stem of a screw (19) for the connection between the friction means (7) and the mobile means (11) for the pressure adjusting of the friction means (7) against the seat (9) and then for the adjustment of the sliding friction. One between the friction means (7) and the mobile means (11) bears a female screw (20) for the stem of the screw (19) and the other (11, 7) has a hole for the free passage of the screw stem and bears a compressible elastic member for the elastic separation of the latter means (11, 7) from the screw (19) head.