Balanced hinge device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for household-electric appliances allow doors to open too quickly due to gravity, posing user safety risks and causing potential damage, and often have excessive bulk and dimensions, especially when used with large and heavy doors.
Innovation Solution
A balanced hinge device with a horizontal rotation axis, featuring elastic means, fixed stop means, and rod means with a mobile stop and fixing slot, which counteracts door weight through compressed coil springs, allowing for controlled door opening and a solid stop in the end position, designed for easy assembly and reduced bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If elastic means are added to counteract door weight, then door opening speed is reduced and safety is improved, but device dimensions and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rod means is housed within the opening of the fixed stop means, with the rod sliding inside the fixed stop structure. This nesting arrangement allows the elastic means and rod mechanism to be contained within the existing hinge structure boundaries, minimizing additional bulk while providing the required counterbalancing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod means is designed to oscillate around a medium position rather than remaining fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the door opens and closes. This dynamic behavior enables the system to provide counterbalancing force through the elastic means while maintaining a compact structure that adapts to different door positions.
2Force
If elastic means are interposed between stop means to counteract door weight, then door weight load is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed stop means is preferably made by bending a portion of the shaped metallic sheet of the first connecting member, integrating the stop function into the existing connecting member structure. The rod means combines both the elastic means mounting function and the door position sensing function, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod means serves multiple functions: it houses the elastic means, provides a mobile stop that interacts with the fixed stop, oscillates to indicate door position, and transmits the counterbalancing force. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while still achieving the force counteraction goal.
3Ease of manufacture
If rod means is freely slidingly housed into opening of fixed stop means, then device assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into distinct functional segments: the first connecting member with fixed stop means, the rod means with mobile stop, and the elastic means. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision through modular design.
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 effectively reduces door opening speed, ensures a solid stop for heavy doors, and maintains a compact design suitable for both small and large doors, enhancing user safety and ease of assembly while minimizing bulk.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic means 59 are interposed and compressed between fixed stop means 55 and mobile means 57 so that such elastic means 59 supply a contrast force to the door weight
Implementation Method 2
elastic means 59 comprising two compressed coil springs 64, 65 wrapped around corresponding guide means 66, 67
Implementation Method 3
the rod means 56 in the passage by the closing condition C to the openings condition A and vice versa, being centrally forced to slide into the opening 63 of the fixed stop means 55 and having the end supporting the bound fixing means 58 fit to describe circumference arches centred in the rotation pin 60, oscillate around a medium position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A balanced hinge device (1) having connecting members first (51) and second (52) mutually connected and fit to be fixed respectively to a corresponding structure (54) and to a corresponding door (53) for the rotation of this latter between the end closing (C) and opening (A) conditions. In an operating condition of the structure (54), said door (53) is almost vertical at closing condition (C) and is approximately horizontal in the opening condition (A). Said device (1) comprises at least elastic means (59), fixed stop means (55) and rod means (56) having, at its end, at least a mobile stop means (57) and, at the other end, fixing means (58). The fixed stop means (55) is connected to the first connecting member (51) and the fixing means (58),of the rod means (56), is connected to the second connecting member (52) or vice versa. The elastic means (59) is interposed between the fixed stop means (55) and mobile (57) so that such elastic means (59) supply a counteracting force to the door weight in the opening, intermediate and end conditions.