Electronic Hinge With Flexible Cable For Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinges do not provide a simple method for delivering electrical power or information to appliances inside the door, particularly in insulated glass units used in refrigerated cabinets.
Innovation Solution
An electronic hinge design that includes a support bracket, a pivoting wire transfer bracket, a rotatable hub, and a flexible electrical cable, allowing for the delivery of power or data through the hinge to an appliance inside the door, with a spring assembly for biasing the hinge back to the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional hinge is used for mounting a door on a cabinet, then the door can be mounted and operated, but electrical power cannot be delivered to appliances inside the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical hinge function with electrical power delivery by integrating a flexible cable and electrical contacts directly into the hinge structure. The hinge assembly includes a stationary bracket mounted on the cabinet, a movable bracket on the door, and a flexible cable running through both brackets to deliver power to appliances within the door, thereby merging two separate functions into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for door mounting, enables door pivoting motion, and delivers electrical power to door-mounted appliances. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate power delivery mechanisms and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid electrical connection is used through the hinge, then power delivery is stable, but the hinge cannot accommodate door movement between closed and open positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cable instead of a rigid electrical connection, allowing the cable to bend and flex as the door moves between closed and open positions. The flexible cable is routed through guides or channels in the hinge brackets to maintain electrical contact while accommodating the dynamic motion of the door, thus preserving both operational flexibility and electrical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a flexible cable with sufficient bend radius and strain relief allows the electrical connection to adapt to the changing geometry of the hinge as the door opens and closes. The flexible construction prevents stress concentration and connection failure while maintaining continuous electrical contact throughout the door's range of motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge includes components for power delivery, then electrical appliances can be powered, but the hinge size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into modular components: a stationary bracket mounted on the cabinet, a movable bracket attached to the door, and a flexible cable connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy installation and maintenance while keeping the overall volume manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cable is routed through the hollow interiors of the hinge brackets rather than externally, nesting the electrical connection within the structural components. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate cable conduits and reduces the overall volume of the hinge assembly while protecting the cable from damage.
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
Enables the direct and simple delivery of electrical power or data to appliances within the door, facilitating the operation of devices like heated glass units and temperature sensing modules, while ensuring reliable door operation between closed and open positions.
Implementation Method 1
a coiled torsion spring concentrically disposed on the support shaft with a first end inserted in a recess of the support pin and a second end inserted in a recess of the support disc
Data Source
AI summary
The electronic hinge has a flexible electrical cable that extends through an abutment of a support bracket, a hollow wire transfer pin mounted in the abutment, a wire transfer hub rotatably mounted on the wire transfer pin and the base of a wire transfer bracket. A spring assembly with a coiled torsion spring is provided for biasing the wire transfer bracket from an open position back to a closed position.