Low Profile Hinge with Elastic Washer for Rotational Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges experience structural instability and vibration due to wear and tear, leading to increased friction and debris generation during rotation, limiting their operational lifespan and stability.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a non-deformable metal bearing seat member, a deformable metal pivot shaft with a conical riveting portion, and an elastic washer that enhances stability and smoothness by minimizing friction and allowing adjustable riveting tightness through a stamping technique, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinge is mounted between two panel members allowing relative rotation, then the hinge connects the panel members together, but the periphery of the panel members rubs against the hinge flanges generating large resistance and causing flash or debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bearing insert as an intermediary component between the hinge and the panel members. This bearing insert has a smooth bore surface that mediates the contact interaction, preventing the panel periphery from directly rubbing against the hinge flanges. The bearing insert absorbs the friction and prevents debris generation while maintaining the rotational connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing insert is designed as a thin-walled cylindrical component that can slightly deform to accommodate installation while maintaining its smooth internal surface. The thin wall structure allows the bearing to conform to the hinge geometry while providing a continuous smooth surface for reduced friction contact during rotation.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge allows relative rotation between panel members, then the hinge provides movement freedom, but the clearance between the hinge and panel holes enlarges after long use affecting structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hinge connection system into distinct functional components: the hinge body, the bearing insert, and the panel holes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the bearing insert can be precisely fitted to maintain constant clearance while the hinge provides rotation freedom. The segmented design prevents wear from affecting the overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing insert changes the friction parameter from high (direct metal-to-metal contact) to low (smooth bore surface contact). This parameter change in surface quality maintains consistent clearance during rotation, preventing the clearance enlargement that occurs with conventional hinges after prolonged use.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pivot shaft is made deformable for riveting, then the riveting tightness can be adjusted, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot shaft utilizes controlled plastic deformation during the riveting process. The material parameters are changed temporarily during manufacturing to achieve the desired tightness, then the deformed structure provides permanent mechanical interlocking. This parameter change during manufacturing allows adjustable tightness while maintaining structural integrity in the final assembled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable riveting portion is designed to undergo preliminary deformation during the riveting process to create the mechanical interlock with the panel member. This preliminary action of deformation occurs before final assembly completion, ensuring that the structural integrity is established through the deformed interlocking geometry rather than compromising it.
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 design improves rotational stability and smoothness by reducing friction and preventing displacement, while allowing for adjustable tightness and a low profile, thus extending the hinge's lifespan and maintaining structural stability under external forces.
Implementation Method 1
a washer mounted around the pivot shaft and stopped between the bearing seat member and the second panel member for generating a damping resistance to enhance rotating stability between the first panel member and the second panel member
Implementation Method 2
The washer is made from an elastic material and mounted around the stem of the pivot shaft
Implementation Method 3
The conical riveting portion comprises a tapered upper guide surface disposed in close contact with a tapered mating surface in the through hole of the second panel member
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge of low profile design includes a bearing seat member made of a non-deformable metal and providing an axle hole and a mating connection part that is fastened to a first panel member, a pivot shaft including a disc-shaped head pivotally coupled to the axle hole, a stem extended from the disc-shaped head and suspending outside the axle hole and conical riveting portion located at the distal end of the stem and riveted to a through hole of a second panel member, and a washer mounted around the step and stopped between the bearing seat member and the second panel member for allowing relative rotation between the first panel member and the second panel member smoothly and stably.