Elastomeric Hinge With Adjustable Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge designs for gates and doors face challenges in withstanding a large number of cycles without fatigue and varying environmental conditions, including corrosive outdoor environments, while maintaining reliability and low maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring elastomeric members that develop a closing force by stretching and contracting, combined with a tension adjustment module to modify the force applied, and a robust structure with bearing sleeves and cover plates for secure attachment, allowing for reliable operation in harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hinge designs use springs to develop closing force, then the gate can be made to close automatically, but the hinge becomes susceptible to fatigue after a large number of cycles and requires periodic maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring mechanism with elastomeric members that are simpler, more durable, and require no maintenance. The elastomeric members are designed to withstand a very large number of cycles without fatigue, effectively eliminating the need for periodic maintenance while keeping the hinge design simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal spring to elastomeric material, fundamentally altering the mechanism's durability characteristics. The elastomeric members provide the same closing force function but with significantly improved cycle life and no fatigue issues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hinge designs are made more tolerant to harsh environments, then the hinge can withstand corrosive conditions, but the cost of components escalates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction with stainless steel bearing surfaces and elastomeric members, providing inherent corrosion resistance without requiring expensive protective coatings or materials. The bearing sleeves and cover plates use stainless steel only where contact and corrosion resistance are critical, while other components can use less expensive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric members replace expensive corrosion-prone metal springs, providing a lower-cost solution that is inherently resistant to corrosion and does not require maintenance or replacement in harsh environments.
3Reliability
If the hinge structure is made robust with multiple bearing sleeves and cover plates, then the hinge can support heavy loads and operate reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hinge into modular components: bearing sleeves attached to hinge leaves, cover plates that enclose the elastomeric members, and a pintle for rotation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plates enclose and protect the elastomeric members, creating a nested structure where the elastomeric members are contained within the cover plate cavity. This nesting provides protection and structural integrity without adding excessive complexity.
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 hinge design provides long-lasting, low-maintenance operation with adjustable closing force, ensuring reliable performance and durability in both indoor and outdoor applications, including corrosive environments, without escalating costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric member which, when stretched beyond a first length, develops a force urging the member to resume the first length so that, with the member fastened between the first hinge leaf and the first of the cover plates, and between the second hinge leaf and the second of the cover plates: as one leaf is rotated in a first direction of rotation about the hinge pintle, the member stretches and provides a force to urge the leaf to rotate in a direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge with first and second leaves. Bearing sleeves are attached along an edge of the first leaf and a bearing sleeve is attached along an edge of the second leaf. A hinge pintle is sized to extend into each of the apertures for mating engagement with the bearing sleeves and connect the hinge leaves for rotation. With an elastomeric member fastened between the first hinge leaf and a cover plate, and between the second hinge leaf and another cover plate, as one leaf is rotated, the member stretches and provides a force to urge the leaf to rotate.