Detachable WC Hinge Structure for Easy Lid Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet lid and seat ring hinge connections are not easily detachable, making maintenance, cleaning, and replacement cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A specialized hinge design featuring two interlocking parts with specific openings and a pin mechanism allows for easy detachment by rotating to a specific position, enabling the toilet component to be pulled off without tools or additional locking mechanisms, facilitating access and handling for cleaning and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional hinge connection is used between toilet component and toilet, then the connection is secure during use, but the detachment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of detachmentVSAvoidhinge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into two separate parts: a first hinge part integrated with the toilet and a second hinge part integrated with the toilet component. This segmentation allows the components to be easily separated by pulling the toilet component away, with the hinge parts disengaging through a first opening in the second hinge part, eliminating the need for complex detachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection is designed to be extractable by providing a first opening in the second hinge part that allows the first hinge part to be pulled out or disengaged. This extraction mechanism enables simple detachment by pulling the toilet component away from the toilet, resolving the contradiction between secure connection and easy detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If a detachable hinge is designed with multiple parts and openings, then ease of detachment is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the hinge into two separate parts that can be manufactured independently and then assembled, the design simplifies the manufacturing process for each individual part while enabling easy replacement. The first hinge part and second hinge part can be produced separately using standard manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the detachable functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the hinge allows rotation about a hinge axis, then the toilet component can be folded up for cleaning, but the connection becomes difficult to detach

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for cleaningVSAvoidhinge mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is segmented into two parts with a simple rotational connection about a hinge axis, allowing the toilet component to be folded up for cleaning. The detachment function is achieved through the first opening in the second hinge part, which allows the parts to separate by pulling, avoiding the need for complex locking or unlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2679127B1WC components and WC with detachable hinge
Publication Date: 2014.02.05 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP2679127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2679127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2679127B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The water closet (WC) lid has a hinge (1) for connection of the WC lid to a WC. The hinge includes a hinge part with a cavity having an opening narrower in relation to a width direction transverse to a hinge axis. Another hinge part is rotatable within the cavity about the hinge axis, and contracted with respect to a cross-sectional shape of the cavity such that the latter hinge part can be moved away transversely to the hinge axis through the opening, where the hinge parts are detached from one another by the movement of the latter hinge part away through the opening.