Electric Hinge With Indirect Trigger Drive for Automated Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinge structures for appliances require manual operation, leading to increased research and development costs and production costs when attempting to automate, and existing solutions are not adaptable to existing products, resulting in inefficiencies and incompatibility with existing structures.
Innovation Solution
A hinge with an electrically operated mechanism that includes a main body, a trigger, a lever, a bracing, a spring, and an electric drive apparatus, where the electric drive apparatus indirectly drives the trigger to open and close the door using a deceleration motor, toothed plate, or electric expansion lever, allowing seamless integration with existing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an existing hinge structure is changed to a brand-new structure to automate door opening and closing, then the automation function is improved, but the research and development costs and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single hinge assembly that combines manual operation capability with automated electric drive functionality. The hinge body can work with either manual triggers or electric drive apparatus, making it universally applicable and avoiding the need for completely separate automated hinge designs, thereby reducing R&D and production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connection plate as an intermediary component that bridges the electric drive apparatus and the trigger mechanism. This mediator allows the electric drive to indirectly actuate the trigger through the connection plate and bracing, enabling automation while using existing hinge components, thus avoiding high costs of complete redesign.
2Extent of automation
If a brand-new structure is designed to automate door opening and closing, then the automation function is improved, but the adaptability to existing products decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed to be universally compatible with existing cabinet door structures. The main body and trigger mechanism remain consistent with traditional hinges, while the electric drive apparatus can be added as an optional component. This multi-functional design allows the same hinge to work in both manual and automated modes across different existing products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the hinge system into separable functional modules: the traditional hinge body with trigger, and the optional electric drive apparatus with connection plate. This segmentation allows existing products to continue using their original hinge structures while adding automation capability through the separate electric drive module, maintaining high adaptability.
3Power
If a high-power electric drive apparatus is used to open and close the door, then the driving capability is improved, but the energy consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded bracing mechanism that acts as a counterweight system. The spring stores potential energy when the door is opened and releases it during closing, reducing the power required from the electric drive apparatus. This counterweight mechanism balances the door weight, allowing a low-power motor to achieve effective door operation with reduced energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system uses periodic spring energy release to assist the electric drive during door operation. The spring is compressed during door opening and expands during closing, creating a periodic energy contribution that reduces the continuous power demand from the electric motor, thereby lowering overall energy consumption and operational noise.
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 solution enables automatic and energy-efficient door operation with reduced noise, maintaining low production costs and adaptability to various cabinet doors by adjusting spring tension, enhancing user convenience and product smartness without altering the original structure.
Implementation Method 1
using a spring force on a hinge structure, a door can be opened and closed by configuring only an electric drive apparatus of a low power
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge with a function of electrically opening and closing a door is disclosed, including a main body and a trigger flexibly articulated to the main body. An accommodation slot exists in the main body, a lever and a bracing are mounted in the accommodation slot, one end of the lever is flexibly articulated to the trigger, the other end of the lever is articulated to the bracing, the other end of the bracing is flexibly disposed in the accommodation slot through a guide pin, a spring is disposed in the accommodation slot, one end of the spring is connected to the lever, and the other end is connected to the main body. An electric drive apparatus is mounted on the main body, and is connected to the bracing, and the electric drive apparatus drives the bracing to move in the accommodation slot, and indirectly drives the trigger to swing. Beneficial effects of the present disclosure are: by driving the lever to move in the accommodation slot, the electric drive apparatus indirectly drives the trigger to swing, so as to implement the opening and closing of a cabinet door.