Compact Hinge Device with Rocker Mechanism and Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for household appliances and furniture are bulky, complex, and expensive, making them unsuitable for installations with limited space, such as domestic ovens, and prone to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A compact hinge device with a rocker mechanism and elastic means that provides balanced intermediate metastable positions, suitable for installations with limited space, using a kinematics chain that includes a rocker, tie rod, and damping mechanism to control door rotation and seal, allowing for adjustable torque and damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional weight balancing springs and sliding blocks are used in hinges, then balancing function is achieved, but device volume increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the balancing spring, rocker arm, and positioning mechanisms into a single integrated hinge assembly. The spring is directly mounted on the hinge axis, and the rocker arm serves dual purposes as both a mechanical linkage and a positioning element, eliminating the need for separate balancing components and reducing overall hinge volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker arm performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits mechanical force, provides intermediate positioning through metastable equilibrium points, and enables end-position damping. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device volume and complexity while maintaining reliable balancing.
2Reliability
If traditional rocker arms with cam profiles and sliding blocks are used, then intermediate positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning function into the rocker arm itself by creating metastable equilibrium points through the geometric configuration of the linkage. Instead of using separate cam profiles and sliding blocks, the positioning is achieved through the natural equilibrium positions of the rocker arm under spring force, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining reliable intermediate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism uses its own gravitational and elastic forces to create metastable equilibrium positions without requiring external control systems or complex positioning mechanisms. The rocker arm naturally settles into intermediate positions due to the balance of spring force and gravitational torque, providing self-service positioning that reduces overall device complexity.
3Volume of stationary object
If compact dimensions are reduced for limited space installation, then space efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the rocker arm linkage and spring mounting positions to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining functional performance. By carefully selecting the lengths and angles of the linkage components, the design achieves small overall volume without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the geometry itself provides the necessary positioning and force transmission.
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 compact hinge device ensures smooth operation, reduces bulkiness and complexity, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for various applications, including domestic ovens, with improved sealing and metastable position management.
Implementation Method 1
a second junction seat (23) formed at one end of a tie rod means (25) onto which elastic means (27) acts with an elastic force
Implementation Method 2
a cradle means (53) interconnected between the connecting rod means (47) and the elastic means (27) and slidably contained, at least partially, in the first box member (41) and/or in the second box member (43), which carries a damping means (57)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A compact hinge device for the terminal opening rotation, the intermediate rotation and the closing terminal rotation or vice versa of a door of an appliance, comprises a first element (3) assigned to be fixed to a body of the appliance and a second element (5) assigned to be fixed to the door of said appliance. These first (3) and second (5) elements are mutually connected by means of a hinge pin (7) having a respective axis of rotation. Said device (1) comprises a transmission element (44) interposed between the second element (5) and a cradle means (53) end and comprises elastic means (27) having an end connected to the cradle means (53) end opposite to transmission element (44). The first element (3) comprises an elongated first box member (41) containing, at least partially, the transmission element (44), the connected cradle means (53) and the elastic means (27) whose end opposite to the cradle means (53) is fixed to the first box member (41) transmitting the elastic closing force of said elastic means (27) to the second element (5). The cradle means (53) contains a damping means (57) of the linear cylinder type and piston with a protruding stem, each end of which has a respective transverse pin (58) whose ends slide in respective slots (54) formed in the cradle means (53) and in respective slots (42) formed in the first box member (41).