Hinge bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge bracket assemblies for appliance doors lack a secure and efficient mechanism for coupling the hinge plate with the anchor plate, leading to potential instability and difficulty in assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A hinge bracket assembly featuring an anchor plate with a retention member and stop, a hinge plate with a protrusion, and a locking arm that rotates between unlocked and locked positions, allowing the protrusion to align with the retention member's slot and the locking arm to engage with the stop for secure coupling, eliminating the need for screws or fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional screw or fastener mechanism is used to couple the hinge plate with the anchor plate, then the connection is secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the retention member with slot and retention space, the protrusion on the hinge plate, and the locking arm. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling simple snap-fit assembly while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm is designed as a movable component that can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic element enables the hinge plate to be quickly secured or released by simple rotational motion, eliminating the need for complex screw mechanisms while maintaining connection security.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a simple alignment mechanism is used without a locking arm, then the assembly process is faster, but the hinge plate becomes unstable and may detach
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm nests within the retention space when engaged, with the protrusion fitting into the slot defined by the retention member. This nested arrangement provides stable mechanical interlocking while keeping the overall structure compact and avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm acts as an intermediary element between the hinge plate and anchor plate. It mediates the connection by engaging with both components, providing stability and preventing detachment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the hinge plate, then the connection strength increases, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single locking arm mechanism. The locking arm simultaneously provides alignment, securing, and locking functions that would traditionally require multiple separate fasteners, thereby maintaining connection strength while significantly improving assembly speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm is designed as a multi-functional component that performs alignment, connection, and security functions in one element. This universal component replaces multiple specialized fasteners, maintaining structural integrity while reducing part count and assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge bracket assembly includes an anchor plate. A retention member extends perpendicular to the anchor plate. The anchor plate defines a first receiving aperture. A hinge plate is aligned with the anchor plate and includes a hinge arm and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from an edge of the hinge plate opposite the hinge arm. The hinge plate defines a second receiving aperture aligned with the first receiving aperture when the protrusion is received by a space defined by the retention member. A locking arm is rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position and is configured to be at least partially received by the first and second receiving apertures to couple the anchor plate and the hinge plate.