Compact Hinge Actuating Device for Automatic Door Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic door systems lack efficient and reliable mechanisms to automatically activate door closure in response to fire, smoke, or elevated temperatures, and do not integrate well with smart home or building control systems for enhanced security and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A compact automatic electronic hinge closing device equipped with sensors, a microprocessor, and a drive mechanism that actuates the hinge to close or open a door based on predetermined conditions, including heat or smoke detection, and allows communication with other electronic devices for remote control and assistance with door operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door is equipped with sensors, microprocessor, and drive mechanism for automatic closure, then the door can automatically close in response to fire, smoke, or elevated temperatures, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor unit, microprocessor control unit, and drive mechanism into an integrated hinge assembly. The sensor, microprocessor, and motor are mounted on the same hinge structure, allowing the entire automatic door closure system to function as a single unified component rather than separate systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automatic closure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical connection for door rotation, houses the sensor for detecting fire/smoke conditions, contains the microprocessor for logical control, and incorporates the drive mechanism for actuating door closure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable automatic closure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge includes communication capabilities with smart home systems, then security and convenience are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor control unit is designed to perform multiple roles: it processes sensor data for automatic closure decisions, controls the drive mechanism for door actuation, and provides communication interfaces with smart home systems. This universal control architecture enables smart home integration without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware, thereby enhancing adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enables automatic and controlled door operation in emergency situations, enhances security and convenience by integrating with smart home systems, and assists users with disabilities through torque assistance and communication with other devices for coordinated building responses.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor can be any one of an audio sensor, a heat sensor or a smoke sensor
Implementation Method 2
a heat activated element that when triggered activates a solenoid thereby releasing a spring element to activate the hinge
Implementation Method 3
a heat activated element that when triggered activates a solenoid thereby releasing a spring element to activate the hinge
Data Source
AI summary
A compact hinge actuating device comprising at least one hinge comprising at least one hinge plate and at least one knuckle. In one embodiment there is at least one sensor and/or fuse element coupled to said at least one hinge and at least one microprocessor coupled to the at least one hinge. There is also at least one drive coupled to the at least one hinge, wherein when the sensor receives input of a condition, and/or the fuse fails then the drive can be actuated. In the electronic version, the microprocessor reads the input as exceeding a minimum threshold value of a predetermined condition, the microprocessor then triggers the at least one drive to close or open the at least one hinge. In at least one embodiment the drive can be a spring, in another embodiment the drive can be a solenoid.