Folding Ramp Hinge Assembly With Opposing Collars
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable folding ramps with welded hinge assemblies are labor-intensive to manufacture and prone to hinge fatigue, necessitating an improved design that is easier to produce and less susceptible to wear.
Innovation Solution
A folding ramp design featuring a hinge assembly with collars and a hinge pin, where the collars are designed to rotate in opposite directions, utilizing a tongue and groove coupling device for assembly without welding, allowing for easier manufacturing and reduced fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welded hinge assemblies are used in portable folding ramps, then the ramps achieve structural integrity, but the manufacturing process becomes labor-intensive and the hinges become susceptible to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate components: a first portion attached to the ramp section, a second portion attached to the support member, and a coupling device that connects them. This segmentation eliminates the need for welding while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling device acts as an intermediary between the ramp section and support member, providing a non-welded connection method. This intermediary component facilitates assembly through mechanical coupling rather than welding, reducing manufacturing complexity and labor requirements.
2Strength
If welded hinge assemblies are used in portable folding ramps, then the ramps achieve structural integrity, but the hinges become susceptible to fatigue over time
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hinge into separate portions and a coupling device, the design eliminates stress concentration points created by welding, thereby reducing susceptibility to fatigue while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection method is changed from welding to mechanical coupling, fundamentally altering how stress is distributed and transmitted through the hinge assembly, thereby improving fatigue resistance while preserving strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If collars rotate in opposite directions around the hinge pin, then the ease of manufacturing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second collars are designed to rotate in opposite directions, creating an asymmetric configuration that simplifies manufacturing and assembly while the complementary nature of the opposing rotations maintains overall system simplicity.
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 enhances the ease of manufacturing and durability of the hinge assembly, reducing the likelihood of fatigue and improving the structural integrity of the ramp, making it more reliable and efficient for use.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of a tongue and groove coupling device of the first collar is coupled to a second portion of a tongue and groove coupling device of the first ramp section and a first portion of a tongue and groove coupling device of the second collar is coupled to a second portion of a tongue and groove coupling device of the second ramp section
Implementation Method 2
The first hinge assembly further includes a hinge pin, wherein the first and second collars are designed and configured to rotate in opposite directions around the hinge pin
Data Source
AI summary
A folding ramp (20) generally includes at least first and second ramp sections (24 and 26), and a first hinge assembly (22) coupling the first and second ramp sections. The first hinge assembly includes adjacent first and second collars (44A and 44B), wherein a first portion of a tongue and groove coupling device (60A) of the first collar is coupled to a second portion of the tongue and groove coupling device (62A) of the first ramp section and a first portion of a tongue and groove coupling device (60B) of the second collar is coupled to a second portion of a tongue and groove coupling device (62B) of the second ramp section. The first hinge assembly further includes a hinge pin (48), wherein the first and second collars are designed and configured to rotate in opposite directions around the hinge pin.