Concealed 180° Hinge With Staggered Axes for Collision-Free Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for unfolding tables, such as those used in airplanes, face issues with low rigidity and strength due to soft systems and wide gaps between connected parts, while unguided hinges can lead to part collision and damage.
Innovation Solution
A 180° hinge design featuring staggered rotation axes and additional pivot brackets for forced guidance, ensuring dependent rotational movement and minimizing gaps between parts, with optional stops for alignment and modular construction for enhanced rigidity and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If guided hinges are used to ensure dependent rotational movement, then the rotational movement is controlled, but the system becomes very soft with low rigidity and strength
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple independent components: two hinge parts, two swivel brackets with staggered rotation axes, and an additional pivot bracket. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the staggered axes provide guidance while the additional pivot bracket provides structural support for rigidity and strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If guided hinges are used to control movement, then rotational guidance is achieved, but a relatively wide gap exists between parts in the unfolded state
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel brackets are designed with asymmetric staggered rotation axes rather than symmetric aligned axes. This asymmetric arrangement allows the parts to achieve a 180° unfolded position with minimal gap between them, while still maintaining controlled rotational movement through the guidance provided by the staggered axes.
3Ease of operation
If unguided hinges are used to allow independent rotary movement, then the parts can move independently, but the parts can collide during movement and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The staggered rotation axes of the swivel brackets act as an intermediary guidance mechanism between the two hinge parts. This intermediary structure allows the parts to move relative to each other while preventing uncontrolled independent rotation that would lead to collision. The additional pivot bracket further mediates the movement to ensure proper alignment.
4Device complexity
If conventional hinge designs are used, then the construction is simple, but the hinge is visible and interrupts the surface when parts are unfolded
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge components are arranged in a nested configuration where the swivel brackets and pivot brackets are positioned between the two hinge parts. When the parts are unfolded to 180°, the hinge components are concealed within the assembly, allowing the surfaces to appear continuous without visible interruption from the hinge mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~2e
AI summary
The invention relates to a concealed 180° hinge (1) for the movable connection of two parts (2, 3) between a collapsed state and a fully opened-out state of the parts (2, 3), the hinge having at least two U-shaped pivoting brackets (6, 7). In order to create such a hinge (1) which has the highest possible strength and also by means of which the parts (2, 3), which can be moved in relation to one another, are moved in relation to one another without any risk of collision, the rotary pins (B, D) of the two pivoting brackets (6, 7) on the one hinge part (5) are arranged in a plane located substantially parallel to the plane of the part (3), which can be connected to this hinge part (5), and the rotary pins (A, C) of the two pivoting brackets (6, 7) on the second hinge part (4) are arranged in a plane located substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the part (2), which can be connected to this hinge part (4).