Concealed Hinge With Damping And Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed hinges for automatic door or window closure are bulky, aesthetically unappealing, prone to noise and fatigue due to vigorous motion, and lack independent adjustment of airgap and closure force.
Innovation Solution
A concealed hinge with an articulating mechanism, a sliding rod, elastic means for closure, and damping means to control speed, allowing adjustable airgap and force, and automatic disengagement of damping to ensure quiet and effective closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a spring is used to enable automatic closure of the leaf, then the closure function is achieved, but the leaf knocks against the frame vigorously causing noise and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced that activates before the leaf completes its closure motion, providing cushioning to reduce the impact force when the leaf contacts the frame. The damping element is positioned to engage during the closing motion and dissipate energy before final contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force that causes vigorous closure is converted into a beneficial effect by using it to compress a damping element during the closing motion. The harmful kinetic energy is transformed into useful damping action, reducing the harmful impact at the end of closure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If damping means are used to slow the leaf, then impact is reduced, but the leaf cannot close with sufficient speed for effective closure
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is designed to be dynamic rather than continuously restrictive. It engages and provides damping during the closing motion, then disengages or reduces resistance to allow the leaf to complete closure with sufficient speed. The damping force varies during the motion cycle rather than being constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element provides periodic action by engaging during the approach phase of closure and then disengaging or reducing force during the final closure phase. This periodic engagement allows the system to benefit from damping when needed while maintaining speed when necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are added to control airgap and closure force, then adjustability is improved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single adjustment mechanism is designed to control multiple parameters simultaneously. The mechanism adjusts the positioning of the spring assembly, which concurrently affects both the airgap distance and the closure force. This multi-functional approach provides the needed adjustability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment functions for airgap and closure force are merged into a single integrated adjustment system. Rather than having separate mechanisms for each parameter, the design combines them so that one adjustment action influences both parameters, reducing the overall 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
The solution provides a concealed hinge with extended lifespan, reduced noise, and easy adjustment, ensuring effective and quiet closure without damaging the door or window, while allowing independent adjustment of airgap and closure force.
Implementation Method 1
a closing device configured to promote a movement of the leaf from the open position to the closed position, comprising a sliding rod having a first end connected to the articulating mechanism and slidably movable inside the respective hinge body, following a reciprocal movement of the hinge bodies, between a forward position corresponding to the distanced configuration of the hinge bodies and a rearward position corresponding to the neared configuration of the hinge bodies; elastic means active on a second end of the sliding rod to maintain the sliding rod pushed towards the rearward position
Implementation Method 2
damping means active on the sliding rod so as to exert a push on the sliding rod which is opposite to the action of the elastic means in the passage of the sliding rod from the forward position to the rearward position, so as to attenuate or limit a stroke speed of the sliding rod
Data Source
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
Concealed hinge (1), comprising a first hinge body (2) installable in a housing of a fixed frame (T) and a second hinge body (3) installable in a housing of a leaf (A) to be coupled with the fixed frame (T). The hinge (1) further comprises an articulating mechanism (4) connected to the hinge bodies (2, 3) to allow a reciprocal movement of the hinge bodies (2, 3) between a first configuration, in which they are reciprocally distanced, corresponding to an open position of the leaf (A), and a second configuration, in which they are reciprocally near, corresponding to the closed position of the leaf (A). The hinge (1) further comprises an elastic means (10) to activate a closure of the leaf (A) and damping means (18) for attenuating or limiting a stroke speed of the leaf. Further, the hinge (1) comprises a disengagement means (19) configured to automatically disengage the damping means (18).