Hinge Mechanism with Cam-Actuated Biasing for 180° Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge designs for self-closing barriers, such as gates, often have limited rotational range due to complex biasing arrangements, and there is a need for a cost-effective solution that minimizes complex parts while providing robustness for 180° hydraulic closers.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a biasing arrangement that includes a cam and piston-cylinder system, where the engagement surface is profiled to allow free rotation during a specific angular displacement, transitioning from an inactive to an active mode to provide biasing force only when necessary, reducing the complexity and number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a biasing arrangement is incorporated in the hinge to provide closing force, then the barrier can close automatically, but the rotational range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing arrangement transitions between inactive and active modes dynamically based on the angular displacement of the barrier. The cam mechanism allows the piston to move freely during the first angular displacement (0° to approximately 90°) maintaining an inactive mode, then engages the biasing force during the second angular displacement (approximately 90° to 180°) when the barrier needs to close, thus providing both extended rotational range and closing force capability.
2Length of moving object
If a complex biasing arrangement is used to provide closing force through 180° rotation, then the rotational range is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cam mechanism with the piston-cylinder biasing arrangement into a single integrated system. The cam surface is formed on the first member and directly interacts with the piston's engagement surface, eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms. This unified approach enables 180° rotation capability while maintaining relatively simple construction with minimal parts.
3Force
If the biasing arrangement remains active throughout the entire rotation, then continuous closing force is provided, but the initial opening force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing arrangement operates periodically rather than continuously - it remains inactive during the first angular displacement (0° to approximately 90°) when the barrier is being opened or held open, then activates during the second angular displacement (approximately 90° to 180°) to provide closing force. This periodic operation significantly reduces the initial force required to open the barrier while still achieving automatic closing functionality.
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 mechanism allows for a broader range of rotational movement (0-180°) with controlled torque application, reducing the initial opening force and maintaining resistance during closure, thus providing a cost-effective and robust self-closing solution.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device and a drive member which can be biased into an extended position by the biasing device and is movable from the extended position against the bias of the biasing device
Implementation Method 2
a cam having a cam surface and a drive arrangement, the cam surface being disposed on the first member and the second member including the drive arrangement, the drive arrangement comprising a biasing device and a drive member... the drive member including an engagement surface which is operative to contact the cam surface during relative rotation of the first and second members
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hinge mechanism comprising first and second members rotatable relative to one another about a hinge axis from a first to a second position; and a biasing arrangement operative to adopt an active mode to bias the first and second members into at least one relative position and operative to adopt an inactive mode where the biasing arrangement does not provide bias to the first or second members to undergo relative rotation, wherein the biasing arrangement remains in the inactive mode on relative rotation of the first and second members through a first selected angular displacement between the first position and the second position, and is in the active mode on relative rotation of the first and second members through a second selected angular displacement between the first position and the second position.