Flush Hinge for Glass Elements with Concealed Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel connection technologies in shower cubicles are aesthetically unpleasing, insecure, and difficult to clean due to visible screws and complex, expensive mounting systems that protrude from the glass surface, making them prone to weather damage and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A flush-mounted hinge system using two plate-shaped parts with screws parallel to the glass element, integrated into a U-shaped recess with trapezoidal edges, providing a secure and aesthetically concealed connection that is easy to clean and maintain, with the screws accessible only when the hinge is angled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connecting elements with visible screws are used to fasten glass panes, then the glass pane can be securely fixed, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and cleaning becomes difficult due to protruding components
Solution Approach 1:
The screw heads are extracted from the visible surface and relocated to the rear side of the glass pane. The connecting element consists of a front plate that contacts the glass surface and a rear plate that holds the screws, with the screws extending through the glass thickness. This extraction of the fastening mechanism from the visible surface resolves the contradiction between secure fixation and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element is nested within a recess in the glass pane. The front plate and rear plate are positioned within the recess depth, allowing the screws to extend through the glass without protruding from the surface. This nesting approach maintains both secure fixation and clean aesthetic appearance.
2Reliability
If multiple separate connecting elements are used to hold glass panes, then the glass can be securely mounted, but the system becomes more expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The front plate, rear plate, and screws are merged into a single integrated connecting element. The front plate and rear plate are connected by screws that extend through the glass pane, forming one unified component that performs both cosmetic and fastening functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall mounting system while maintaining secure fixation.
3Reliability
If connecting elements clamp the glass pane from both surfaces, then secure fixation is achieved, but the glass surface becomes non-flat and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
A recess is pre-formed in the glass pane at the mounting location. The connecting element is designed to fit within this recess, with the front plate and rear plate positioned inside the recess depth. This preliminary preparation of the glass surface allows the connecting element to be installed without protruding from the glass surfaces, maintaining flatness and cleaning accessibility while achieving secure fixation.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7A~7I
AI summary
The arrangement comprises two hinge elements, which are pivotally connected together. Two fastening units are arranged for fastening the hinge parts with two glass elements (1). The fastening units consist of two plate shaped parts (2,3), which are fastened to the corresponding glass element. The two plate-shaped parts enclose a cavity (9) into which the corresponding hinge element extends partially. A screw connection has two screws (4), which stretch parallel to the glass element and perpendicular to a hinge axis of the hinge through the cavity. An independent claim is included for a shower room with a glass wall element.