Four-Rod Hinge Mechanism for Large Opening Space and Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge mechanisms face challenges in achieving a balance between a large opening width and maintaining a seal when closed, as a large radius of rotation compromises the sealing between the mounting member and the base.
Innovation Solution
The hinge mechanism employs a four-rod mechanism with a movable connector and a fixed connector, utilizing a double-rocker mechanism with elastic elements to allow for a small radius of rotation, enabling the movable connector to rotate and shift relative to the fixed connector, ensuring a large opening space while maintaining tightness when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the mounting member has a large radius of rotation to achieve sufficient opening width and space, then the opening space is improved, but the mounting member and the base cannot be well sealed when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a four-bar linkage mechanism that transforms the rotation motion into a complex trajectory motion. The mounting member does not rotate around a fixed axis but follows a dynamic path defined by the linkage, allowing the radius of rotation to change during the opening/closing cycle. This enables large opening space while maintaining small effective radius at closed position for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces additional spatial dimensions by using a four-bar linkage mechanism instead of simple radial rotation. The mounting member moves in a two-dimensional trajectory rather than a one-dimensional circular path, allowing simultaneous achievement of large opening width and tight closing seal through coordinated motion in multiple dimensions.
2Reliability
If the mounting member has a small radius of rotation to maintain sealing when closed, then the sealing performance is improved, but the opening width and space are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The four-bar linkage mechanism creates a dynamic radius of rotation that is small at the closed position (ensuring sealing) but expands to provide large opening space during the opening motion. The mechanism dynamically adjusts the effective rotation radius throughout the motion cycle rather than maintaining a fixed radius.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation motion is segmented into multiple stages through the four-bar linkage, with different portions of the motion providing different functions: the initial phase provides sealing contact, while the subsequent phases provide opening space. This segmentation allows optimization of both sealing and opening space requirements.
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
This design achieves a significant opening width and space while ensuring good closeness and tightness when the movable connector is closed, addressing the limitations of existing hinge mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element mounted between the rear portion of the sliding block and the stop plate of the fixed seat, where when the base moves relative to the hinge arm to a closed position, the front portion of the sliding block comes in contact with the hinge arm and moves into the fixed seat, such that the damping member is pressed by the second pin of the fixing pin member and the bottom wall of the base to provide primary damping force and that the elastic element is compressed to provide auxiliary damping force and to provide returning force for the sliding block
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a hinge mechanism and furniture. The hinge mechanism includes a movable connector (2), a fixed connector (4), and a hinge assembly (6) connected between the movable connector (2) and the fixed connector (4) and configured for enabling the movable connector (2) to rotate relatively to the fixed connector (4). The hinge assembly (6) includes a hinge four-rod mechanism (100) using the fixed connector (4) as a rack; and a first extension part (802) served as an extension to a connecting rod (8) in the hinge four-rod mechanism (100) in a lengthwise direction of the connecting rod (8) and rotatably connected to the movable connector (2). With the hinge four-rod mechanism (100), the movable connector (2) can rotate and shift relatively to the fixed connector (4) during rotation, thereby ensuring that a relatively large extension amount and opening space are achieved when the movable connector (2) is opened relative to the fixed connector (4), and relatively good closeness and tightness are achieved when the movable connector (2) is closed up.