Hinge Bearing with Integrated Damper for Vandal-Resistant Toilet Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public toilets, especially those in moving vehicles, face challenges with hinge bearing devices that are prone to vandalism, mechanical overload, and difficulty in maintenance and cleaning due to complex designs and high structural height, leading to increased costs and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A hinge bearing device with structurally identical first and second bearing blocks, featuring rotary dampers and locking mechanisms, designed for robustness and ease of assembly, with damping elements integrated within the bearing blocks to absorb forces and prevent contamination, allowing for quick and inexpensive manufacturing and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge bearing device uses a complex design with multiple components, then the durability and resistance to vandalism improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (bearing blocks, axle bodies, damping elements, locking mechanisms) into an integrated hinge bearing device. The first and second bearing blocks are merged with their respective damping elements and locking devices to form compact assemblies that resist vandalism while maintaining manageable complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge bearing device is segmented into distinct functional modules: bearing blocks for structural support, axle bodies for rotation, damping elements for force absorption, and locking mechanisms for security. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall durability without excessive complexity.
2Strength
If the hinge bearing device integrates damping elements and locking mechanisms, then the resistance to mechanical overload and vandalism improve, but the manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping elements are integrated within the bearing blocks, and locking mechanisms are incorporated into the axle bodies. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing assembly steps while maintaining the strength and overload resistance provided by these protective features.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing blocks serve multiple functions: structural support, housing for damping elements, and mounting for locking mechanisms. The axle bodies similarly provide rotation, incorporate locking features, and support the seat or lid. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering manufacturing and maintenance costs while preserving mechanical strength.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge bearing device uses a compact design, then the ease of cleaning and maintenance improve, but the structural height and space for damping elements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping elements are nested within the bearing blocks, with the locking mechanisms integrated into the axle bodies. This nesting arrangement creates a compact hierarchical structure where smaller components are housed within larger ones, reducing the overall structural height while maintaining all necessary functions and improving cleanability by eliminating external protrusions.
4Productivity
If the hinge bearing device uses structurally identical bearing blocks, then the manufacturing costs and assembly time are reduced, but the adaptability to different mounting configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The structurally identical first and second bearing blocks are designed with universal mounting features that allow them to be used in different configurations. The standardized structure enables quick assembly and interchangeability while the multi-functional design (combining bearing, damping, and locking functions) provides adaptability to various mounting requirements on toilet bowls.
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
The solution provides a compact, robust, and easy-to-clean hinge bearing device that reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs while enhancing resistance to vandalism and mechanical loads, ensuring the durability and hygiene of toilet components.
Implementation Method 1
a damping torque generating first damper element arranged between the first and the second axle component
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge bearing device for pivotally attaching a lid and/or a seat to a toilet bowl, in particular a public toilet in a moving vehicle, comprising a first bearing block with a first axle receptacle and a first axle body arranged in the first axle receptacle for rotatably mounting the lid or the seat relative to the first bearing block about a first pivot axis, a second bearing block with a second axle receptacle and a second axle body arranged in the second axle receptacle for rotatably mounting the lid or the seat relative to the second bearing block about a second pivot axis.The invention is characterized in that the first and second axle mounts are identical in construction and the first axle body is designed as a first rotary damper, which comprises a first axle component, a second axle component rotatable relative to the first axle component and a first damper element generating a damping torque between the first and second axle components.