Cushioned Toilet Seat Hinge With Single-Pin Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cushioned coupling hinges for toilet seat-rings and lids are complex, cumbersome, and expensive due to multiple components and intricate mechanical engagement, which complicates manufacturing and installation, and lacks interchangeability.
Innovation Solution
A compact cushioned coupling hinge design using a single engagement element inserted at right angles to the rotation axis for both stopping accidental dislodging and activating the cushioning mechanism, featuring cylindrical seats without teeth for simplified molding and quick-release coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components (cushioning means, adapters, connecting elements, spring clips) are used to ensure secure attachment and cushioning function, then the reliability and cushioning effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (cushioning, stopping, securing) into a single integrated engagement element with an L-shaped configuration. The horizontal leg provides stopping function while the vertical leg provides securing function, eliminating the need for separate cushioning means, adapters, and spring clips.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a stop to prevent over-rotation, provides mechanical engagement to secure the hinge to the seat-ring/lid, and activates the cushioning means through its insertion motion. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components required.
2Reliability
If teeth are molded into seat-ring and lid for mechanical engagement, then the cushioning activation and hinge securing are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex teeth structure from the seat-ring and lid and replaces it with a simple cylindrical engagement hole. The engagement element itself carries all the engagement features, eliminating the need for precision teeth molding in multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. It replaces the expensive and complex molded teeth structures, offering a more cost-effective solution with lower manufacturing precision requirements.
3Device complexity
If a compact hinge design is implemented, then the device size and complexity are reduced, but the cushioning effectiveness and securing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element is inserted through the mobile portion of the hinge, with its horizontal leg extending into the seat-ring/lid and its vertical leg engaging with the cushioning means. This nested configuration allows the compact design to maintain all necessary functions within a small space.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-shaped engagement element utilizes two perpendicular dimensions (horizontal and vertical legs) to provide both stopping and securing functions simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows compact design without sacrificing functional effectiveness.
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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces size and complexity, and allows for easy installation and interchangeability while maintaining effective cushioning and secure attachment to the toilet seat.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (50) interposed between the mobile portion (20) and the fixed portion (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention therefore relates to a cushioned coupling hinge 1 suitable to rotatably couple the seat-ring 71 and the lid 72 of a toilet seat to a toilet 70. The hinge 1 comprises a cushioning mechanism suitable to cushion the falling movement of the mobile component during rotation around the axis of rotation X; a mobile portion 20 integrally constrainable to the seat-ring or lid in rotation; a fixed portion 30 integrally constrainable with the toilet 70. Advantageously, both the maintenance in position of the hinge along the axis of rotation and the actuation of the cushioning mechanism is obtained by means of a single engagement element 4 inserted at right angles to the axis of rotation simultaneously through the seat-ring/lid to be cushioned and the mobile portion 20.