Window Hinge Adjustable Accessory Interlocking Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door hinges face a trade-off between lateral adjustment range and hinge strength due to limited space in the rebate, requiring a compromise between adjustment distance and hinge thickness, often resulting in insufficient strength for the weight of the window or door.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with an adjustable accessory composed of plate-shaped parts featuring interlocking protrusions and recesses, allowing for a reduced minimum total thickness when mounted, which increases the space available for a stronger hinge or greater adjustment range, by using ribs and grooves that interlock without play to maintain stability during adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the minimum total thickness of the hinge leaf with accessory is increased to ensure sufficient hinge strength, then the hinge can support the weight of the window or door, but the available lateral adjustment distance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge strengthVSAvoidlateral adjustment distance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is nested between the hinge leaf and the profile, with the first plate-shaped part contacting the hinge leaf and the second part contacting the profile. This nested arrangement allows the accessory to occupy the limited space in the rebate without increasing the overall thickness beyond the available space, thereby preserving both hinge strength and lateral adjustment distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory utilizes the depth dimension of the rebate by positioning itself between the hinge leaf and the profile, rather than increasing the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the hinge leaf. This dimensional approach allows the hinge to maintain sufficient strength while preserving the lateral adjustment range.

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

2Volume of stationary object

If the depth of the rebate is limited, then the space for mounting the hinge is constrained, but increasing the thickness of the hinge leaf or accessory reduces the available adjustment distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable space in rebateVSAvoidlateral adjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is nested within the limited space of the rebate, positioned between the hinge leaf and the profile. This allows the accessory to provide the necessary thickness for hinge strength without encroaching on the lateral adjustment space, effectively utilizing the constrained volume of the rebate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of moving object

If the thickness of the hinge leaf or accessory is reduced to increase adjustment distance, then more lateral adjustment is possible, but the hinge strength and permitted maximum load are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral adjustment distanceVSAvoidhinge strength and permitted maximum load
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory acts as an intermediary element between the hinge leaf and the profile, providing the necessary thickness and structural support for hinge strength while allowing the hinge leaf itself to remain thin enough to preserve lateral adjustment distance. The accessory absorbs the thickness requirement, enabling the hinge leaf to be optimized for adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Shape

If a visible shaft hinge is used with fastening invisible in the rebate, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but there is often not enough space for a sufficiently strong hinge combined with the desired lateral adjustment range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidhinge strength sufficient for weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is nested within the rebate space, positioned between the hinge leaf and the profile, allowing the hinge components to be arranged optimally for both strength and appearance. This nested arrangement provides the necessary space for a strong hinge construction while maintaining the aesthetic requirement of invisible fastening in the rebate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution utilizes the depth dimension of the rebate by positioning the accessory between the hinge leaf and the profile, rather than requiring increased thickness in the lateral direction. This allows sufficient space for a strong hinge construction while maintaining the desired lateral adjustment range and aesthetic appearance.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4102015B1Hinge for a window or door with hinge leaf with associated accessory with adjustable thickness for the lateral adjustment of the window or door
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 SOBINCO NV
  • EP4102015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4102015B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4102015B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Hinge for a window or door with a hinge leaf (6) and associated accessory (11) intended to be mounted between the hinge leaf (6) and a profile (2,3) of a window or door on which the hinge leaf (6) is fastened, whereby the thickness (D) of the accessory (11) is adjustable and is composed of two essentially plate-shaped parts (11 a and 11b), which are affixed against one another by one side and on said sides are provided with interlocking complementary toothings (11c, 11d) which are such that when both parts (11a and 11b) are slid in a sliding direction in one or another direction relative to each other, the thickness (D) of the accessory (11) increases or decreases characterised in that the hinge leaf (6) and the plate-shaped first part (11a) of the accessory (11) on the facing sides in contact therewith are provided with protrusions (12) and complementary recesses (13) with which they interlock.