Box Hinge Layout That Preserves Seal Life and Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for boxes require adjustments in lid or body dimensions when hinge components are modified, leading to inefficient space utilization and increased material usage, and subject the seal to shear stress, resulting in premature wear.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with a core defining a pivot axis, where the lid-side and body-side bands are parallel in a closed position and inclined in an open position, minimizing the distance between hinges and reducing shear stress on the seal, using materials like aluminum or stainless steel for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the diameter of the hinge core is increased to improve stability, then the stability is improved, but the horizontal distance between the parallel hinges increases, requiring adjustment of lid or body dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the hinge core from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, changing the dimensional arrangement of hinge components. This allows the hinge core diameter to increase without increasing the horizontal distance between hinges, as the core now extends vertically between the lid-side and body-side hinges rather than horizontally alongside them.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the two hinges are spaced apart by the intervening core, then the hinge structure is stable, but the installation space in the horizontal direction is not optimally utilized and more material is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the hinge core arrangement from horizontal spacing to vertical stacking, where the lid-side hinge, body-side hinge, and core are arranged vertically one above the other. This eliminates horizontal spacing requirements while maintaining structural stability through the vertical core connection.
3Volume of moving object
If the hinge pin lies vertically between the two hinge strips when the box is closed, then the hinge structure is compact, but the seal between the lid and body is subjected to shear stress leading to premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional hinge orientation by positioning the hinge core vertically rather than horizontally. This causes the lid-side and body-side hinges to be arranged vertically one above the other rather than horizontally adjacent to each other, which changes the seal's movement path from horizontal shear to vertical compression, reducing shear stress on the seal.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a hinge for pivotally coupling a body and a lid of a box, in particular a transport box, a container, a case or a case, especially made of metal, such as aluminium, comprising a core that defines a pivot axis; a body-side band extending along a depth direction of the body-side band running parallel to the pivot axis and a width direction of the body-side band running orthogonal to the depth direction; a lid-side band extending along a depth direction of the lid-side band running parallel to the pivot axis and a width direction of the lid-side band running orthogonal to the depth direction;wherein the core connects the lid-side and body-side hinges pivotably to each other, and wherein the body-side hinge and the lid-side hinge are arranged parallel to each other in a closed position and are inclined to each other in an open position, wherein the lid-side hinge is arranged in a normal direction to the lid-side hinge between the pivot axis and the body-side hinge in the closed position.