Hidden Window Hinge with Pin Rotation and Adjustable Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hidden window hinges face limitations such as restricted sash opening range, complex construction, high manufacturing costs, increased friction, and incompatibility with thin window profiles, along with the inability to adjust closing pressure.

Innovation Solution

A hidden hinge system allowing 180-degree sash opening with a simple, easy-to-assemble design, incorporating a system of levers and a ball-joint connection for tilting movement, and adjustable screws for parallel pressure adjustment, ensuring compatibility with thin profiles and reducing friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sliding connections are provided in the hinge, then the hinge allows movement of the sash, but this results in greater friction and more rapid wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesash movementVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sliding connections with a pin connection system where the sash is connected to the fixed frame via pins that rotate within ear elements. This substitution eliminates sliding friction and replaces it with rotational movement, significantly reducing wear and improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hinge allows 180-degree opening, then the sash opening range is improved, but the construction becomes complex leading to malfunctions and breakages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesash opening rangeVSAvoidhinge construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is segmented into distinct functional components: ear elements fixed to the frame, pin connections for rotation, and a stop arm for limiting movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving 180-degree opening capability while keeping the overall construction simple and reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to achieve 180-degree opening, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple pin-ear connection system that naturally allows full rotation, with the stop arm passively limiting the opening angle. This inversion of the traditional hinge design simplifies the construction while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the hinge is made bulky to allow 180-degree opening, then the opening range is improved, but it prevents use on thin window profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesash opening rangeVSAvoidhinge thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge design transitions from a thick, bulky three-dimensional structure to a thin, planar configuration. The ear elements and pin connections are arranged in a way that minimizes the thickness of the hinge, allowing it to fit within thin window profiles while still enabling 180-degree opening through the rotational pin mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If additional stop arms are mounted to prevent accidental closing, then the safety is improved, but the constructional design becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental closingVSAvoidconstructional design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop arm function is merged with the existing hinge structure rather than being added as a separate component. The stop arm is integrated into the pin connection system, forming a unified structure that provides both the stopping function and the rotational connection, thereby preventing accidental closing without complicating the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3322873B1Hidden hinge
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 FAPIM SPA
  • EP3322873B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3322873B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3322873B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hinge for windows having a sash hinged on a fixed frame; in particular, the hinge is of the hidden type, i.e. is mounted inside the jamb of the fixed frame, so that it is not visible when the sash is closed.