Frameless Display Case Hinge Design for Hidden Pivot Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frameless display cases with visible pivot points outside the showcase body impair appearance and complicate cleaning due to protruding screws or rivets, which are prone to catching cleaning rags.
Innovation Solution
A frameless display case design featuring a hinge with two pivotable hinge levers between the upper region of the front pane and the cover pane, using angle profiles on the front edge of the cover pane and upper edge of the front pane to house the hinge levers, with the cover pane shorter than the side panes to create a spacer area for the hinge, making the pivot point largely invisible and allowing for flush closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a frameless display case uses visible hinges with screws or rivets for pivoting, then the structural stability is improved, but the appearance is impaired and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is extracted from the visible exterior surface and relocated to the interior space. The cover panel is shortened to create a gap that accommodates the hinge levers, removing the visual obstruction of screws and rivets from the exterior while preserving the pivoting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge levers are nested within the gap created by the shortened cover panel. The angle profiles and hinge levers are housed inside the space between the front panel and cover panel, making the pivot mechanism invisible from the exterior while maintaining structural stability.
2Ease of operation
If a frameless display case uses visible hinges with screws or rivets, then the pivoting function is achieved, but cleaning becomes complicated due to protruding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding screws and rivets are extracted from the exterior surface and relocated to the interior gap. This allows cleaning cloths to pass smoothly over the exterior surface without catching on fastening elements, while the pivoting function remains intact through the internal hinge mechanism.
3Shape
If the cover panel is shortened to create space for hinge levers, then the hinges become hidden and appearance is improved, but the gap between panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angle profiles are designed with specific geometric features that allow them to abut against each other when the display case is closed. This local structural feature ensures that the gap is minimized at the closed position, preventing dirt accumulation while maintaining the hidden hinge appearance during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge levers are designed to be pivotable within the gap, allowing dynamic movement between closed and open positions. When closed, the angle profiles abut to minimize the gap; when opened, the hinge levers pivot to allow access, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operational states.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present patent application relates to a display case which has at least one frameless front panel, first and second frameless side panels provided on both sides of the front panel and a frameless cover panel covering a space between the front panel and the side panels, wherein the front panel is pivotable relative to one of the side panels, for which purpose a hinge is provided between the front panel and this side panel on a lower area of the front panel.In the display case according to the invention, a hinge having a pivotable hinge lever is provided between an upper area of the front panel and the cover panel, and angle profiles are provided at a front edge of the cover panel and an upper edge of the front panel, which together form a receptacle for the hinge levers, wherein the cover panel does not close flush with the first and second side panels in the direction of the front panel, but is shortened compared to the side panels, so that a space is always formed between the front edge of the cover panel and the front panel in which the hinge levers attached to the angle profiles are housed.