Hinge for vertical hood
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for vertical hoods used in cooking fume extraction risk accidental uncoupling of the panel from the hood body, complicating the movement mechanism and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design where the head that keeps the pin in the guide is distinct from the pin itself, requiring unscrewing from both hinges to remove the panel, preventing accidental separation and simplifying the movement mechanism while reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pin is made detachable at the release zone, then the panel can be removed from the box-like body, but there is a risk of accidental uncoupling of the panel
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into distinct components: a fixed element with a pin and a movable element with a guide. The pin and guide can be independently assembled and disassembled, allowing controlled removal while preventing accidental uncoupling through their interlocking geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary between the pin and the panel. It controls the movement and positioning of the pin, ensuring that the panel can only be removed when the pin is intentionally positioned at the release zone, thereby preventing accidental uncoupling.
2Device complexity
If the head is integrated with the pin, then the structure is simpler, but the pin cannot be securely held within the guide
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge components are segmented into distinct parts: the pin, the head, and the guide. This segmentation allows the head to be specifically designed to secure the pin within the guide, while the pin itself remains a separate, simpler component that can be easily manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The head is combined with the pin to form an assembly where the head secures the pin within the guide. This merging provides secure retention while maintaining the ability to disassemble the components for panel removal when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the movement mechanism is simplified, then production costs are reduced, but the secure attachment and easy detachment functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into simple, modular components (fixed element, movable element, pin, guide) that can be manufactured using standard processes. This segmentation reduces production complexity and cost while maintaining the functionality of secure attachment and easy detachment through the intentional design of the pin-guide interface.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A hinge (6) suitable for installation in a hood (1) for extracting cooking fumes comprises a fixed element (7) connectable to a box-like body (2); a movable element (8) connectable to a panel (5); the movable element (8) slides with respect to the fixed element (7) to lock the rotation of the panel (5) in an open configuration, the movable element (8) comprises a guide (9), the fixed element (7) comprising a pin (10) inserted in the guide (9), the guide (9) is slidable with respect to the pin (10) to lock or unlock the rotation of the panel (5) when the panel (5) is in the open configuration, the fixed element (7) comprises a head (13) fixed to the pin (10) at said end (12) and configured to keep the pin (10) inside the guide (9).