Concealed Hinge Wedge Adjustment for Heavy Window Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for windows, doors, and shutters struggle with heavy wings, as they require multiple operators to maintain the wing at the desired height due to friction locking, which is inefficient and tiring, and lack horizontal adjustment compatibility, complicating installation.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with a thrust element and insert system that uses tilted surfaces to support the weight of heavy wings, allowing easy and precise height adjustment with a screw-and-nut mechanism, distributing weight forces evenly and simplifying single-operator installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If friction-based locking is used to hold heavy wings, then the hinge can support heavy loads, but multiple operators are required to maintain wing height during installation and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped intermediary element is introduced between the adjustment body and the external hull. This wedge converts rotational screw motion into linear thrust, providing mechanical advantage to counterbalance heavy wing weights. The intermediary wedge allows a single operator to easily adjust and lock heavy wings without requiring multiple people to manually hold the wing position.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw mechanism applies excessive force through the wedge to more than adequately counterbalance the wing weight. This over-force approach ensures that even the heaviest wings (80 kg or more) are easily held in position with minimal operator effort, transforming a task requiring multiple operators into a single-operator operation.
2Shape
If traditional concealed hinge design is used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but horizontal position adjustment is not compatible, complicating installation
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment body is designed to perform multiple functions: vertical height adjustment through the wedge-screw mechanism, and horizontal position adjustment by sliding along the vertical axis within the external hull. This multi-functionality maintains the concealed aesthetic design while adding versatile adjustment capabilities for both vertical and horizontal positioning during installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixing screws with slotted holes are used to lock the adjustment body, then simple locking is achieved, but heavy wings still drift downward due to insufficient friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped thrust element acts as an intermediary that transforms the weak friction-based locking into a strong mechanical locking system. The wedge generates sufficient thrust force through the screw mechanism to reliably counterbalance heavy wing weights, preventing downward drift while maintaining the simple screw-and-nut locking structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the force parameter by using the wedge-screw mechanism to generate exponentially larger forces from small screw rotations. This parameter transformation allows the simple fixing screws to lock positions that would otherwise require complex mechanical locking systems, achieving both simplicity and reliability.
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
Enables easy, precise, and reliable height adjustment of heavy wings, reducing operator effort and ensuring stable positioning without friction-related issues, suitable for heavy loads up to 80 kg.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge includes at least one movement mechanism provided with a wedge with a tilted surface placed to act against a corresponding tilted surface of the same adjustment body
Implementation Method 2
a screw-and-nut mechanism
Implementation Method 3
the adjustment body is locked in position to the external hull only thanks to the friction force that develops between the adjustment body pressed by the heads of the fixing screws and the external hull
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
Hinge (1) for windows/doors/shutters comprising a first hinge element (2) provided with a first internal side (3) and an opposite first external side (4) and formed by a first external hull (5), which defines a guide seat (6) opening on the first internal side (3) and extended along a main first extension axis (X) parallel to the lying plane (α) on which the first internal side (3) itself is substantially extended, and by a first adjustment body (7), which is slidably inserted along the first extension axis (X) in the guide seat (6). The hinge (1) comprises a second hinge element (8) and articulation means (9), which movably connect the first hinge element (2), at the first adjustment body (7), and the second hinge element (8) between a closed position and at least one open position. The first hinge element (2) comprises an adjustment device (10) provided with a thrust element (11), slidably connected to the first external hull (5) along a movement direction (W) transverse to the first lying plane (α), and an insert (12), integral with the first adjustment body (7) in translation along the first extension axis (X). On at least one between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12) a first tilted surface (13) being extended, which is tilted with respect to the first extension axis (X) and to the first lying plane (α) and placed in abutment against the other between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12). The aforesaid thrust element (11) is actuatable to translate along the movement direction (W), with the first tilted surface (13) extended on one between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12) which slides against the other between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12), in order to move, through the insert (12), the first adjustment body (7) to translate in the guide seat (6) along the first extension axis (X).