Hydraulically Damped Hinge Assembly Without Knuckle Weakening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulically damped hinges face issues with temperature sensitivity due to environmental temperature variations, requiring temperature compensation mechanisms and are prone to size increase for stable operation, and have weakened knuckles due to rotatable tensioning element placement, compromising strength.
Innovation Solution
The hinge design includes a double-wall cylinder barrel with the rotatable tensioning element inside, a compact torsion spring arrangement, and adjustable damping mechanisms to compensate for temperature changes, while ensuring strength and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the rotatable tensioning element is placed outside the cylinder barrel, then it is easier to access during assembly, but the knuckle strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tensioning element is placed inside the cylinder barrel, nesting it within the existing structure. This eliminates the need for external mounting on the knuckle, preserving knuckle strength while providing access through the cylinder barrel opening during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning element is accessed through a different spatial dimension - via the cylinder barrel opening rather than externally from the knuckle. This allows assembly access without compromising the knuckle structure
2Reliability
If the cylinder cavity volume is increased to achieve stable dashpot operation, then the damping performance improves, but the hinge size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston diameter is increased to improve dashpot performance while maintaining compact overall size. This parameter change allows sufficient fluid displacement for stable operation without proportionally increasing the cylinder length or overall hinge volume
3Volume of moving object
If the hinge is designed as a barrel hinge, then the structure is compact, but the hinge cannot be used for differently oriented closure members
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge design incorporates features that allow it to function in multiple orientations and with differently handed closure systems. The internal component arrangement and mounting interfaces are designed to accommodate various installation configurations while maintaining the compact barrel structure
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 design provides stable operation across varying temperatures, maintains compact size, and enhances strength by internalizing the rotatable tensioning element, improving reliability and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring disposed within the cylinder barrel and configured for storing energy when said closure system is being opened and for restoring said energy to effect closure of said closure system
Implementation Method 2
a dashpot disposed within the cylinder barrel and operatively coupled to the hinge members for damping a closing movement of the hinge
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulically damped hinge comprising: a first hinge member (5) having a cylinder barrel (17) forming a first knuckle of the hinge; a second hinge member (6) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (5) and comprising a second and third knuckle (20, 21) which are situated at opposing ends (22, 23) of the cylinder a barrel (17); a torsion spring (79) within a double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and having a first extremity connected to the first hinge member (5) and a second extremity (81); a dashpot within the cylinder barrel (17); and a rotatable tensioning element (83) within the double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and fixed to the second knuckle (20) and to the second extremity (81) of the torsion spring (79). The rotatable tensioning element (83) allows tensioning the torsion spring (79) during assembly of the hinge. Placement of the rotatable tensioning element (83) avoids needing to provide a recess in the second knuckle (20) thereby improving the overall strength of the second hinge member (6).