Double-Jointed Door Hinge for 180-Degree Clear-Opening Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door hinges are limited to a 90-degree rotation, obstructing doorways and potentially damaging structures when fully open, and suffer from issues like door sag and torque.
Innovation Solution
A double jointed hinge allowing for a structure to rotate up to 180 degrees using two axes of rotation, one fixed and one movable, enabling a compound rotational motion that prevents obstruction and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used to connect door to structure, then the hinge provides basic rotational connection, but the door can only rotate about 90 degrees and blocks the doorway when fully open
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into two separate hinge elements (first hinge element and second hinge element) connected by a link, creating a double-jointed mechanism. This segmentation allows the door to rotate in two stages: first rotating the second hinge element relative to the first, then rotating the first hinge element relative to the structure, achieving over 180 degrees total rotation without blocking the doorway.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a second axis of rotation by introducing the link connecting two hinge elements. Instead of single-axis rotation limited to 90 degrees, the double-jointed mechanism provides rotation in two dimensional directions, enabling the door to achieve parallel alignment with the structure and clear the doorway completely.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hinge is used to connect door to structure, then the hinge provides basic rotational connection, but movement beyond 90 degrees can damage the door and structure
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system dynamically adapts its rotation range through the compound motion mechanism. The first hinge element rotates up to 90 degrees relative to the structure, while the second hinge element rotates additional degrees relative to the first hinge element. This dynamic two-stage rotation distributes mechanical stress and prevents damage that would occur with forced single-axis rotation beyond 90 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the rotation into two separate hinge elements connected by a link, each hinge element operates within safe angular limits while the combined system achieves extended rotation. This segmentation prevents any single hinge from experiencing damaging forces associated with rotation beyond its design range.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used to connect door to structure, then the hinge provides basic rotational connection, but door sag and torque problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The door connection is segmented into two hinge elements rather than one, distributing the door weight and operational forces across multiple connection points. This segmentation reduces the torque burden on each individual hinge and minimizes door sag, while the link maintains proper alignment throughout the rotation range.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a portion of a shed includes a blow molded plastic door, a blow molded plastic wall panel, and a double jointed hinge configured to connect the blow molded plastic door and the blow molded plastic wall panel to each other. The double jointed hinge includes a first hinge element that connectible to the blow molded plastic wall panel, a second hinge element that is connectible to the blow molded plastic door, and a first link and a second link, the first link and the second link configured to connect the first hinge element to the second hinge element, and when the shed portion is in an assembled state, and the blow molded plastic door is fully closed, the first link and the second link are received within a recess cooperatively defined by the blow molded plastic wall panel and the blow molded plastic door.