Hinge Deflection Element Damping for Abrupt Opening Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges with linear dampers often cause material stress during rapid opening movements due to abrupt braking at the maximum opening position, which is not effectively addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design incorporating a deflection element that generates damping forces during both closing and opening movements, using a linear damper actuated via the deflection element to provide controlled braking before the maximum opening position, thus reducing material stress by avoiding abrupt braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear damper is used to brake the closing movement, then the closing impact is prevented, but material stress occurs during opening movement due to abrupt braking at maximum opening position
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element activates the linear damper in advance before the hinge part reaches the maximum opening position. The damper begins braking the opening movement at a predetermined angle (at least 10° or 20° before maximum opening), preventing abrupt braking and reducing material stress on the hinge components.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection element dynamically changes the mechanical linkage geometry during opening and closing movements. This dynamic configuration allows the linear damper to be selectively activated - pushing the piston rod into the damper housing during closing and pulling it out during opening, enabling controlled damping forces that adapt to the movement phase.
2Reliability
If a linear damper provides damping force during closing movement, then closing damping is achieved, but opening damping is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element creates a dynamic mechanical advantage system that reverses its action based on the hinge part's movement direction. During closing, it pushes the piston rod into the damper housing to generate damping force. During opening, it pulls the piston rod out and then re-pushes it before maximum opening is reached, enabling opening damping capability with the same linear damper component.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear damper is designed to perform multiple functions - providing both closing damping and opening damping through the deflection element's mechanical configuration. A single damper unit serves dual purposes by having its piston rod actuated in different phases of the hinge cycle, eliminating the need for separate dampers for each direction.
3Volume of moving object
If the piston rod is pushed into the damper housing during closing damping, then compact design is achieved, but opening damping requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element dynamically controls the piston rod position relative to the damper housing based on the hinge part's angular position. During closing damping, the piston rod is pushed into the housing for compactness. During opening, the deflection element pulls the rod out and then re-pushes it before maximum opening, allowing the damper to provide opening damping without requiring permanent additional space extension.
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 hinge design ensures reduced material stress during opening movements by generating damping forces before the maximum opening position is reached, ensuring smooth operation and adequate braking, thereby extending the hinge's lifespan and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the linear damper designed as a pressure damper is compressed and brakes the closing movement
Implementation Method 2
the linear damper is actuated via the deflection element in such a way that both a damping force is generated during a closing movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A hinge (4) comprises a hinge part (7), which can be secured on a door (3) of the shutter and is mounted on a side part (5) such that it can be pivoted via a carrying lever (8) and a guide lever (9), also comprises at least one spring (14), by means of which the hinge part (7), in a self-retracting region of the hinge (4), is prestressed into a closed position, and further comprises a linear damper (30) with a piston rod (31), which can be moved relative to a damper housing (32) and is intended for damping a closing and/or opening movement of the hinge part (7), wherein a deflecting element (15) is provided, said deflecting element being mounted on the side part (5) such that it can be rotated about an axis (16) and being arranged between the damper (30) and the guide lever (9) so that, during a closing movement of the hinge part (7), it moves the damper (30) in order to generate a damping force, wherein, during an opening movement of the hinge part (7), the deflecting element (15) moves the damper (30) in order to generate a damping force before the fully open position of the hinge part (7) has been reached. This makes it possible to avoid hard impact of a door in the opening direction.