Door Hinge Stop Geometry for Controlled Opening Angles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for aircraft storage unit doors lack control over the angle of rotation, leading to potential over-opening or over-closing, which can cause impact with other objects.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a pivot with stop elements and stop surfaces that allow controlled rotation between fully closed and fully open configurations, preventing over-opening or over-closing by abutting at specific angles, such as 180 degrees or a predetermined angle like 90 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing hinges without stop elements are used, then the door can rotate freely, but the door may over-open or over-close and impact other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element and stop surfaces are configured to prevent over-rotation of the door before harmful impact can occur. The stop element on one hinge plate abuts against the stop surfaces on the other hinge plate at predetermined angles (fully closed at 0 degrees, fully open at 180 degrees or predetermined angle), creating a preliminary counter-action that limits the door's rotation range and prevents it from sweeping into other objects.
2Reliability
If stop elements and stop surfaces are added to control rotation angle, then over-opening and over-closing are prevented, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element and stop surfaces are integrated directly into the hinge plates themselves rather than being separate components. The first hinge plate includes a stop element, and the second hinge plate includes first and second stop surfaces, all formed as part of the hinge plate structure. This merging approach provides reliable rotation angle control while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge plates serve multiple functions: they provide the structural connection for door mounting, enable rotation around the pivot axis, and simultaneously provide the stop element and stop surfaces for angle control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms and keeps the overall hinge structure relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for hingedly mounting a door onto a fixed element. The hinge includes a pivot, and first and second hinge plates. The pivot has a central axis (AP). The first hinge plate comprises a stop element, and the second hinge plate comprises first and second stop surfaces. When the hinge is in a fully closed configuration the first stop surface abuts the stop element. When the hinge is in a fully open configuration the second stop surface abuts the stop element. The first and second hinge plates are so configured that one of the hinge plates may rotate around the central axis (AP) of the pivot relative to the other between the fully closed and fully open configurations.