Compact Hinge Device With Independent Elastic And Damping Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge devices for appliances are large, complex, and often experience jamming and irregular rotations due to correlated elastic and damping forces, leading to non-smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact hinge device with independent elastic and damping forces, featuring a helical spring for elastic torque and a linear damper with viscous fluid for smooth rotation control, allowing for adjustable closing speed and decoupling of forces for improved operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If known hinge devices are used to dampen door travel and modulate elastic forces, then the door closing speed can be controlled, but the device dimensions and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is segmented into two independent functional modules: a first elastic means (spring) for providing elastic forces, and a second elastic means (damper) for providing damping forces. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective door closing speed control through separate force mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping function is extracted from the traditional integrated hinge mechanism and implemented as a separate linear damper element. This extracted damping module operates independently from the elastic spring, allowing for simplified design where each component's dimensions and characteristics can be optimized separately, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Speed
If known hinge devices are used to provide elastic and damping forces, then door motion can be controlled, but the operation becomes non-smooth and subject to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the force provision into independent elastic and damping modules, each can be optimized for its specific function. The linear damper provides smooth, controlled resistance throughout the door's travel, while the spring provides consistent elastic force, eliminating the correlated force variations that cause jamming in integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A translating means acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the door into linear motion of the damper piston. This intermediary ensures smooth force transmission and prevents direct mechanical interference between the elastic and damping components, eliminating jamming issues.
3Speed
If known hinge devices are used to dampen door travel, then closing speed control is achieved, but the elastic and damping forces are correlated and not independent
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into independent elastic and damping modules that can function separately. The first elastic means (spring) and second elastic means (damper) are mechanically independent, allowing their forces to be adjusted and optimized independently for different door weights, sizes, and closing speed requirements, thereby enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent elastic and damping modules allow for dynamic adjustment of force characteristics. The spring constant and damper viscosity can be independently selected to match specific application requirements, enabling the hinge to adapt to various door configurations and closing speed needs without compromising force independence.
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 provides a compact, smooth, and regular operation with independent control over elastic and damping forces, enhancing the closing speed damping and reducing jamming issues in appliance doors.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic means (7), consisting for example in a helical spring operating in compression
Implementation Method 2
a linear damper with viscous fluid for smooth rotation control, allowing for adjustable closing speed
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A compact and dampened hinge device includes a first connection means (3) assigned to be fixed to a hatch or shutter for the rotation of the latter between closed and fully opened conditions of a respective appliance or household appliances. This first attachment means is swivelling connected, through a hinge pin (4), to a second connection means (5) assigned to be fixed to a structure or frame of said appliance or household appliances. The device (1) comprises at least a first elastic means (7) interconnected between the first (3) and second (5) connection means to transmit to the first (3) connection means an elastic torque directed towards the closed condition of the hinged device (1). Said device (1) comprises a damper element (11) of a linear type having a longitudinal geometric axis and a first end connected to at least one of the first (3) or second (5) connection means directly or by means of an element connected thereto (3, 5). The other and second end of the damper element (11) is assigned to meet with an abutment element (13) slidable in a sliding direction aligned or parallel to the axis of the damper element (11) due to the effect of a translating means (15) sliding in said sliding direction and actuated, at least in the terminal closing phase of the hatch, by at least one offset element (17) fixed to the second connection means (5) at a respective predetermined distance from the hinge pin (4). In at least one angular sector of the door rotation, the offset element (17) meets with the translating means (15) sliding it together with the abutment element (13) in the sliding direction compressing the damper element (11) which brakes the rotation of the door in such angular sector.