Hinge Clip Maintains Constant Torque on Wrap End Hinges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrap end hinges lack a means to maintain constant torque over time, as they are typically made from low-strength stamped steel with limited spring force, leading to a decrease in hinge performance and increased manufacturing costs due to yield loss.
Innovation Solution
A spring clip is installed over the outside of the wrap end hinge to maintain high torque over the hinge's life, allowing for adjustable torque and friction control through different spring clips, which can be used during assembly to meet desired torque and friction requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stamped steel sheet material is used for the wrap end hinge, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength and spring force are limited, causing torque to decrease over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines stamped steel sheet material with a spring clip made of elastic material to create a composite hinge structure. The steel provides structural support and low-cost manufacturing, while the spring clip adds elastic properties and maintains constant torque through its spring force, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and torque consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rigid stamped steel hinge body with a flexible spring clip component. The spring clip is attached to the steel hinge, combining the advantages of both materials: the steel's manufacturability and the spring's ability to maintain constant torque through elastic deformation, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
2Strength
If only a little amount of spring force is applied to the hinge axle, then the stamped steel material requirements are reduced, but the torque maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring force parameter by introducing a spring clip with specific elastic properties. The spring clip's material composition, thickness, and geometry are optimized to provide the necessary spring force that maintains constant torque, allowing the stamped steel to remain thin and lightweight while achieving reliable torque maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip acts as an intermediary between the hinge axle and the external environment. It mediates the torque transmission by storing and releasing elastic energy, providing a consistent spring force that compensates for wear and friction variations, thereby maintaining reliable torque without requiring excessive spring force that would complicate the steel material requirements.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the hinge operates for a high number of cycles, then the device versatility and usage flexibility are improved, but the torque consistency deteriorates due to wear and material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining constant torque through its elastic properties throughout the hinge's operational life. The spring force compensates for wear and material fatigue that occur during high-cycle operation, ensuring torque consistency is maintained even after extensive use, thus resolving the contradiction between duration of action and torque consistency.
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 spring clip design enhances the durability and reliability of wrap end hinges by maintaining constant torque and friction over a high number of cycles, reducing manufacturing waste and costs, while enabling adjustment to meet specific performance standards.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip located on an outside diameter of the hinge rod, the spring clip configured to increase the torque of the hinge
Implementation Method 2
maintain constant torque and friction over a high number of cycles
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an device that includes a first body coupled to a first housing, a second body coupled to a second housing, a hinge rod, and a spring clip on an outside diameter of the hinge rod, where the spring clip is configured to increase the torque of the hinge.