Hinge Unit Damper Installation via Securing Frame Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge units with damping members face issues such as leakage of damping material over time, leading to a loss of buffering feature, and existing solutions either expose the damper or occupy space, affecting aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A hinge unit design featuring a securing frame with an engaging member and a damper with a piston, where the damper is securely positioned between the side panels of the securing frame, allowing for easy replacement and maintaining aesthetics by concealing the damper within the hinge unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the damper is exposed and accessible for replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is nested within the hinge unit structure, specifically positioned inside the space formed by the hinge base and hinge arm. The securing frame integrates the damper housing into the hinge assembly, allowing the damping component to be concealed within the existing structural envelope rather than exposed externally.
Solution Approach 2:
A securing frame is introduced as an intermediary component that houses the damper and provides a interface for both aesthetic concealment and maintenance access. This securing frame acts as a mediator between the aesthetic requirements (hiding the damper) and the functional requirements (allowing replacement).
2Shape
If the damper is concealed within the hinge unit, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge unit is segmented into distinct functional modules: the hinge base, hinge arm, securing frame, and damper assembly. This segmentation allows the damper to be concealed within the overall structure while enabling independent access and replacement of the damping component without disassembling the entire hinge unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing frame incorporates movable or removable components that allow dynamic access to the damper. The structure transitions from a fixed enclosed form (for aesthetics) to an accessible configuration (for maintenance), enabling both aesthetic concealment and ease of repair through controlled structural changes.
3Reliability
If the damping material is sealed within the damping member, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member is nested within the securing frame structure, which provides both sealing protection and access pathways. The damping material is enclosed within the damping member housing (preventing leakage) while the entire damping assembly remains accessible through the secured interface (enabling replacement).
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge unit (10) includes a hinge arm (20) which defines a room (34) in which a securing frame (12) is installed. The securing frame (12) includes two side panels (38) with an engaging member (40) connected therebetween. Each of the two side panels (38) has an engaging portion (46) on the inside thereof. The engaging member (40) has a through hole (48) and a protrusion (52) extends from the periphery of the through hole (48). A damper (16) has a body (54) and a piston (56). The body (54) has a front end portion (58) having a recessed area (62), and a rear end portion (60) having a protrusion (52). A fixing member (14) connects the securing frame (12) to the hinge arm (20). The piston (56) extends through the through hole (48) and the protrusion (52) is engaged with the recessed area (62), the body (54) of the damper (16) is installed between the two side panels (38). The contact portion (64) of the body (54) contacts the engaging portion (46).