Breakaway hinge receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing appliance door breakaway systems are sub-optimal due to high cost, complexity, performance issues, and size constraints, failing to effectively manage excessive weight without causing damage or requiring manual reset.

Innovation Solution

A breakaway hinge system comprising a receptacle base, a breakaway lever with a cam edge, a first and second mounting structure, and a spring-biased cam follower that automatically resets to its operative position upon removal of excessive weight, allowing the door to return to its horizontal position without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a breakaway hinge system is implemented to prevent damage from excessive weight, then safety and damage prevention are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway hinge system is divided into distinct functional components: a receptacle base, a breakaway lever with cam edge, mounting structures, and a spring-biased cam follower. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cam follower is spring-biased to automatically reset to its operative position after the breakaway event. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while ensuring continuous safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a breakaway mechanism is designed to automatically reset, then ease of operation and maintenance are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic resetVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway lever is designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions, with the cam follower dynamically tracking the cam edge. This dynamic design enables automatic reset functionality through the spring bias, allowing the system to adapt to operational conditions without complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cam edge acts as an intermediary element between the breakaway lever and the cam follower. Its geometric profile translates the lever's movement into automatic resetting of the cam follower, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the door is allowed to pivot until it contacts the floor or support surface, then breakaway movement is maximized, but risk of damage from excessive movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreakaway movementVSAvoidexcessive movement damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway mechanism is pre-configured with the cam edge and spring-biased cam follower to automatically engage and limit door movement. This preliminary action prevents excessive movement before it can cause damage, while still allowing sufficient breakaway movement for safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring bias on the cam follower provides a cushioning effect during the breakaway event, controlling the door's movement and preventing sudden, damaging impacts. This prior cushioning allows the door to pivot safely while protecting against excessive movement damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system effectively prevents damage from excessive weight by automatically resetting, ensuring the door returns to its operational position, thus enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The breakaway latch further includes a spring that biases the cam follower into abutment with the cam edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11441344B2Breakaway hinge receptacle

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 MANSFIELD ENGINEERED COMPONENTS

AI summary

A receptacle for an associated appliance hinge includes a receptacle base and a breakaway lever movably connected to the receptacle base. The breakaway lever includes a cam edge. A first mounting structure is connected to the receptacle base and adapted to be engaged by an associated hinge arm. A second mounting structure connected to the breakaway lever such that the second mounting structure is movable relative to the receptacle base. The second mounting structure is adapted to be engaged by the associated hinge arm. A breakaway latch is connected to the base and includes a cam follower engaged with the cam edge. The breakaway latch further includes a spring that biases the cam follower into abutment with the cam edge. The breakaway lever is selectively movable from a first position where the cam follower is engaged with a first location on the cam edge to a second position where the cam follower is engaged with a second location on the cam edge.