Display Case Door Closer Hinge With Adjustable Spring Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door closer mechanisms for refrigeration display cases often require extensive disassembly and thicker door frames due to long torque rods, limiting adjustability and transparency, and are cumbersome to adjust tension.
Innovation Solution
A compact door closer mechanism featuring a hinge assembly with a biasing spring and gear drive system that adjusts pre-tension force, allowing for easy adjustment without disassembly and maintaining a thin door frame, enabling precise control of the door's closing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional door closer mechanism with long torque rods is used, then the door closing function is achieved, but the door frame thickness increases and transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is nested within a compact housing that is integrated into the door frame. The biasing spring, gear drive system, and adjustment mechanism are all contained within this housing, eliminating the need for long external torque rods and reducing the overall door frame thickness while maintaining the door closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional long torque rod mechanical system is replaced with a compact biasing spring and gear drive system. The spring provides the closing force directly through its mechanical properties, while the gear system transmits this force efficiently to the door, eliminating the need for long leverage arms.
2Force
If a conventional door closer mechanism is used, then the door closing function is achieved, but extensive disassembly is required for tension adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The gear drive system includes an adjustment mechanism that allows users to modify the pre-tension force on the biasing spring without requiring disassembly of the hinge assembly. The gear mechanism provides external access to the spring tension, enabling self-service adjustment by the end user.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear drive system serves multiple functions: it transmits the closing force from the biasing spring to the door, provides mechanical advantage for force multiplication, and simultaneously offers an adjustment mechanism for tension modification. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms that would require disassembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a compact hinge assembly with gear drive is used, then adjustability is improved and door frame thickness is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing spring mechanism, gear drive system, and tension adjustment mechanism are merged into a single integrated hinge assembly housing. This consolidation provides adaptability and adjustability while containing the complexity within a compact, unified structure rather than requiring multiple separate components.
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 mechanism provides a user-friendly, compact solution that adjusts the door's closing force efficiently, maintaining a thin door frame and enhancing transparency while simplifying tension adjustment, unlike conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is connected to the door pin and the second housing and operable to provide a biasing force to the door pin
Implementation Method 2
The second gear is supported for rotation by the support member and is in meshing relationship with the first gear. Rotation of the second gear produces a corresponding rotation of the first gear and the second housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A display case includes a housing partially surrounding a display space, a door pivotably coupled to the housing and cooperating with the housing to further enclose the display space, and a hinge assembly for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. The hinge assembly includes a biasing member applying a biasing force on the door and a gear drive for adjusting a pre-tension force on the biasing member.