Concealed Hinge with Sequential Rotation for Smooth 180° Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concealed hinges with 180° rotation suffer from abrupt axis changes, synchronization issues, and jolts during operation, lacking precise control and smooth movement, especially when used on doors with overlapping frames.
Innovation Solution
A concealed hinge design operating on two sequential axes of rotation, utilizing a locking element that slides within U-shaped slots with specific geometries and orientations, ensuring progressive axis changes and smooth transitions, and incorporating constraining means to enhance precision and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional concealed hinges with 180° rotation are used, then the door can be opened to 180°, but the axis change is abrupt and causes jolts during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation movement is divided into two sequential phases: first rotation around a first axis, then rotation around a second axis. This segmentation of the motion path eliminates abrupt axis changes and prevents jolts during door opening and closing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge incorporates movable locking elements that can dynamically transition between locked and unlocked positions. The locking elements are movable relative to the connecting means, allowing smooth dynamic transitions between rotation phases without rigid constraints that would cause jolts.
2Manufacturing precision
If pins sliding in slots or cams are used to control rotation sequence, then axis change is controlled, but the system is rigid and difficult to synchronise between multiple hinges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements automatically engage and disengage based on their own movement relative to the connecting means, without requiring complex external control mechanisms. Each hinge operates autonomously, making synchronization between multiple hinges simple and reliable.
3Device complexity
If the mechanism for controlling rotation sequence is exposed towards the gap, then the structure is simpler, but components extend towards the gap passage which is aesthetically undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are nested within the connecting means, specifically within the U-shaped slots. This nesting arrangement keeps all control mechanism components contained within the hinge body, preventing any extension towards the gap passage while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Device complexity
If fixed locking elements on constraining means are used, then the structure is simpler, but the axis change is abrupt and uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are made movable relative to the connecting means rather than being fixed. This dynamic configuration allows precise control of the axis change timing and position, ensuring smooth and accurate transitions between rotation phases while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
Described is a concealed hinge (1) for opening doors relative to a frame, said hinge (1) characterised in that it comprises a first support (2) fixable to a first of said door and frame, a second support (3) fixable to a second of said door and frame, means (4) for connecting said first support (2) to said second support (3), means (7) for constraining said second support (3) relative to said connecting means (4), a locking element (9) with an axis of symmetry (2005) movable in a respective first guide (14) and inserted in a first slot (1004) and in a second slot (1007).