Hidden Hinge Geometry for Window Stability and Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hidden hinges for windows face challenges in balancing safety, compactness, and strength, as they either prioritize one aspect over others, leading to issues such as large openings that compromise safety and stability, and limited space between window frames.
Innovation Solution
A hidden hinge design featuring two hinge parts connected by arms, where one arm is mounted to both hinge parts, forming an imaginary triangle with the hinged joints, with the second hinge part's joint outside the triangle, allowing for minimal translation movement and enhanced stability without restricting rotation, and using thin arms to maintain compactness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a relatively large translation of the leaf is used, then the window can be made whereby the leaf can rotate some 180° in relation to the leaf, but a large opening is created between the hinge side of the leaf and the hinge side of the fixed frame which is unwished-for for safety and stability reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hinge mechanism, specifically the arrangement of arms and hinge joints, to achieve a different movement trajectory that limits translation while maintaining rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary geometric configuration (the imaginary triangle formed by hinge joints) that mediates between the rotation requirement and the translation limitation, using the specific arrangement of arms to control the movement path
2Strength
If the hinge is made stronger to support heavy leaves, then the bearing capacity is improved, but the hinge becomes heavier and larger which compromises compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hinge into multiple components (first arm, second arm, hinge parts) arranged in a specific configuration, allowing each component to be optimized for strength while maintaining overall compactness through the triangular arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a three-dimensional arrangement of the arms and hinge joints, creating a spatial triangular configuration that provides structural strength without increasing the two-dimensional footprint, thereby maintaining compactness
3Device complexity
If the available space between the fixed frame and the leaf is utilized fully, then the compactness is improved, but the space for hinge components is extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the hinge components within the limited space between the fixed frame and leaf, with the arms and hinge joints arranged to fit efficiently in the available gap, maximizing space utilization while maintaining functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
Hidden hinge with two hinge parts (11-12) that are connected by a first arm (26) which is hinge-mounted to the first hinge part (11) and the second hinge part (12) respectively with its far ends, whereby a second arm (35) of the hinge (9-10) is hinge-mounted to the first hinge part (11) on the one hand, and is hinge-mounted to the first arm (26) on the other hand, such that an imaginary triangle (D) can be defined between the hinged joints (28, 36) of the first and the second arm with the first hinge part (11) on the one hand, and the hinged joint (33) of both arms (26, 35) between themselves on the other hand, and whereby the hinged joint (31) of the second hinge part (12) with the first arm (26) is situated outside said imaginary triangle (D).