Concealed Dual-Axis Hood Hinge for Wide-Opening Cleaning Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face challenges in designing a hinge system that allows the hood to pivot more than 90° while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance and preventing simultaneous pivoting movements about multiple axes.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with a swivel arm that pivots about a first axis until an intermediate position, then pivots about a second axis, using locking devices to alternate between locking the hood and pivot arm relative to the base body, ensuring a specific pivoting angle range and preventing simultaneous movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hood is designed to pivot by more than 90°, then the accessibility and usability are improved, but the hinge becomes visible and impairs the aesthetic appearance when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is nested within the outer contours of the hood and base body. The pivot arm is positioned inside the hood structure, and the hinge components are concealed within the housing, making the hinge invisible when the hood is closed while still enabling the required pivoting motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hood pivots about multiple axes simultaneously, then the pivoting range is increased, but the movement control becomes unreliable and edges may contact the base body
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting motion is segmented into two distinct sequential phases: first pivoting about the first axis to reach an intermediate position, then pivoting about the second axis to reach the final open position. The locking devices divide the movement into controlled stages, preventing simultaneous pivoting about both axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking devices perform preliminary actions by locking the hood in specific positions during the pivoting sequence. The first locking device locks the hood during initial pivoting, and the second locking device locks the pivot arm during subsequent pivoting, ensuring controlled sequential movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hinge components are made visible, then the structural function is clear, but the outer contour and aesthetic design are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge components including the pivot arm, locking devices, and bearing elements are nested within the outer contours of the hood and base body. This nesting conceals the mechanical components while maintaining their structural function, achieving both aesthetic design and manufacturing clarity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device comprising a base body, to which a hood is hinged with the aid of at least one hinge so that it can pivot backwards and forwards between a closed position and an open position. To further develop the cleaning device such that the hinge lies flush with the outer contour of the hood and that the base body and the hood can be pivoted through more than 90°, the hinge has a pivoting arm which is not visible from the exterior in the closed position of the hood, can be pivoted about a first pivoting axis relative to the base body and to which the hood is pivotally mounted about a second pivoting axis that runs parallel to the first pivoting axis. The hinge has first and second locking devices for the alternate rotationally fixed locking and releasing of the hood relative to the pivoting arm and of the pivoting arm relative to the base body, when the hood is opened and closed.