Anti-sag Hinge With Lateral Adjustment Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Walk-in refrigerator and freezer doors often experience sag due to hinge wear, structural shifting, and misalignment, leading to operational issues such as difficulty in opening and sealing, which existing solutions fail to address effectively without extensive repair.
Innovation Solution
An anti-sag hinge system comprising a mounting flange and a strap assembly with an adjustment bracket and lateral adjuster, allowing for lateral movement between the strap and the adjustment bracket, enabling proper alignment and realignment of the door relative to the jamb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hinges are used for walk-in refrigerator and freezer doors, then the door can be supported and opened, but the door experiences sag over time due to hinge wear and structural shifting, causing operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the strap assembly to be repositioned relative to the mounting flange. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the hinge to compensate for sag and misalignment that develop over time, maintaining proper door alignment and operation without requiring complete hinge replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral adjuster mechanism changes the positional parameters of the strap assembly relative to the mounting flange. By adjusting the lateral position through the lateral adjuster, the hinge can correct misalignment and sag, restoring proper door function
2Reliability
If door sag occurs due to hinge wear and misalignment, then the door cannot be properly sealed or locked, but extensive repair work such as hinge removal and remounting or door and frame replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge includes self-adjustment capabilities through the lateral adjuster and adjustable strap assembly, allowing operators to realign the door and correct sag issues without requiring extensive disassembly or professional repair services. The mechanism enables field adjustment and maintenance of proper door alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mechanism allows the hinge to be repositioned to compensate for wear and misalignment, enabling correction of sealing and locking problems through simple adjustment rather than extensive repair work
3Device complexity
If the hinge structure is made rigid to maintain alignment, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but the hinge cannot accommodate structural shifting due to temperature cycling and other environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates adjustable components that allow the strap assembly to be repositioned relative to the mounting flange. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the rigid hinge structure to accommodate structural shifting caused by temperature cycling while maintaining proper door alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral adjuster mechanism allows changes in the positional parameters of the strap assembly, enabling the hinge to adapt to structural shifts from temperature cycling and other environmental factors while maintaining simple construction
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an anti-sag hinge (10) which includes a mounting flange assembly (12) pivotally coupled to a strap assembly (15). The mounting flange assembly includes a mounting flange (16) having four mounting holes (17) therethrough. The strap assembly includes a strap (31) extending from a cylinder portion (32). The strap includes four elongated mounting holes (42), a screw adjustment flange (43) having a threaded screw hole (44) therein. The strap also includes a moveable adjustment bracket (50) mounted for lateral movement relative to the underlying strap. The adjustment bracket also includes an adjustment screw mounting flange (52), a adjustment screw (53) extending through an adjustment bracket mounting hole (54) and threaded into screw adjustment flange screw hole. Lastly, the adjustment bracket includes four mounting holes (56) extending therethrough and generally in alignment with strap elongated mounting holes (42).