Automatically Closing Hinge With Inclined-Surface Slider and Torque Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges in electronic devices, such as scanners, face issues with increased cost due to steel friction plates and uncontrolled angle adjustment, and the lifetime of plastic members is shortened due to continuous deformation for automatic closing functions.
Innovation Solution
A hinge utilizing an inclined-surface slider mechanism and a torque limiter, which includes a fixed shaft, axial and radial moving members, and an energy storing member, eliminating the need for friction plates and allowing precise control of the closing angle through modular torque limiters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If friction plates made of steel sheets are used to fix the hinge angle, then the hinge can maintain a predefined angle, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive steel friction plates with a plastic member that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The plastic member achieves the same angle-fixing function through interference deformation rather than friction, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining the predefined angle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the friction-based mechanical system with an interference deformation-based system. Instead of relying on friction between steel plates, the invention uses the elastic deformation of a plastic member to provide the necessary holding force, eliminating the need for expensive friction materials.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a spring is used to exert force on friction plates to fix the hinge angle, then the angle can be maintained, but the friction cannot be easily adjusted or controlled due to spring elasticity attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spring-friction system with an interference deformation system. The plastic member's elastic deformation provides the holding force directly without requiring a spring, eliminating the problem of elasticity attenuation and enabling precise control of the holding force through the geometry of the interference fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the angle-fixing mechanism from friction-based to interference deformation-based. By controlling the interference fit parameters (dimensions, material properties), the holding force can be precisely adjusted and maintained without the degradation issues associated with spring elasticity.
3Extent of automation
If a plastic member is continuously deformed to provide automatic closing function, then the cover can be automatically closed, but the lifetime of the plastic member is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by designing the plastic member to undergo controlled elastic deformation only during the automatic closing phase, then return to its original state. This cyclic deformation pattern, rather than continuous deformation, significantly extends the plastic member's service life while maintaining the automatic closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an energy storage element that cushions and stores the energy during the closing operation. This prevents excessive or uncontrolled deformation of the plastic member, reducing stress accumulation and extending the component's lifetime while preserving the automatic closing capability.
4Extent of automation
If the angle for automatic closing is controlled using a deformed plastic member, then automatic closing can be achieved, but the angle cannot be easily and precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control mechanism from relying on plastic deformation characteristics to using precisely controllable geometric parameters of the interference fit and energy storage element. This allows the closing angle to be accurately determined by dimensional parameters that can be precisely manufactured and adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the imprecise plastic deformation-based angle control with a geometry-based control system using the interference fit and energy storage element. This mechanical substitution enables precise angle control through well-defined geometric relationships rather than relying on material deformation characteristics.
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 solution reduces costs, enables precise control of the hinge's angle, and extends the lifespan of components by using the inclined-surface slider mechanism and torque limiters, providing a versatile and efficient automatically closing function without the need for friction plates.
Implementation Method 1
The energy storing member is disposed in the fixed shaft and configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving a reverse axial movement of the axial moving member
Implementation Method 2
The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member pushes the axial moving member and causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member
Implementation Method 3
When a pivot angle of the second body in relation to the first body is larger than a predefined angle, the torque limiter provides torque to maintain the second body at the pivot angle
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatically closing hinge, a first body and a second body are mounted on a fixed shaft, and axial and radial moving members are adjacently disposed inside the fixed shaft. The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member. An energy storing member in the fixed shaft is configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving the axial moving member to make a reverse axial movement. During the reverse axial movement the axial moving member pushes the radial moving member to make an outward radial movement. The radial moving member during such outward radial movement drives the second body to pivot forward.