Hinge Inclined Sliding Surfaces 360 Pivoting Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges with raising/lowering mechanisms in the sanitary sector face issues such as limited pivoting range, high component costs, maintenance difficulties, and inability to maintain different weights of door elements due to spring mechanisms, which lead to increased wear and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design utilizing two axes of rotation with inclined sliding surfaces that allow a 360° pivoting range, eliminating the need for spring mechanisms by using the weight and inclination of the door element to return to a closed position, while maintaining ease of maintenance and low component costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring mechanism is used to ensure the door returns to closed position and remains secure, then the door can be held securely in closed position and return automatically, but the hinge cannot accommodate different door weights, always subjects door to spring force, and becomes dirty with limited accessibility for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring mechanism entirely from the hinge system. Instead of using elastic elements to provide restoring force, the invention relies on gravitational force acting on the door element itself. The weight of the door, combined with inclined sliding surfaces, naturally provides the force needed to return the door to its closed position, eliminating the need for springs and their associated maintenance and adaptability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the door's own weight as a counterbalancing force. By designing inclined sliding surfaces that convert gravitational force into rotational moment, the system uses the door's weight against itself to achieve automatic return to closed position. The heavier the door, the greater the restoring force, naturally adapting to different weights without requiring adjustable spring mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If inclined sliding surfaces are used to lift the door element during pivoting, then wear is reduced and swivel movement is easier, but the mechanism becomes more complex with multiple axes of rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hinge into distinct functional segments: an inner hinge part with inner axis of rotation, an outer hinge part with outer axis of rotation, and a middle part connecting them. Each segment has a specific function - the inner axis handles the lifting/lowering motion through inclined surfaces, while the outer axis handles the pivoting motion. This segmentation allows complex motion to be achieved through coordinated simple movements of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first. The inner axis provides rotation in one plane (lifting/lowering), while the outer axis provides rotation in a perpendicular plane (pivoting). This dimensional approach transforms a single complex rotational movement into two simpler, independent rotational movements that occur simultaneously, reducing wear and improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge allows 360° pivoting range with two axes of rotation, then the pivoting range is maximized, but the mechanism requires precise coordination between inner and outer hinge parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inner hinge part and outer hinge part through a common middle part that connects both axes. The middle part acts as a shared reference frame that naturally coordinates the motion between the two axes. As the door pivots on the outer axis, the middle part carries the inner axis along, ensuring that the inclined sliding surfaces remain properly aligned. This merging eliminates the need for complex independent control mechanisms and reduces manufacturing precision requirements.
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 achieves a full 360° pivoting range with reduced wear and improved hygiene, allowing for easy maintenance and adaptability to various door weights without the need for spring mechanisms, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing two axes of rotation with inclined sliding surfaces that allow a 360° pivoting range, eliminating the need for spring mechanisms by using the weight and inclination of the door element to return to a closed position
Implementation Method 2
The sliding surfaces rest against each other and slide off each other... the swivel movement is much easier to carry out due to the lower friction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
To design a hinge with a lifting/lowering mechanism, requiring minimal components and offering high ease of maintenance, and possessing the largest possible pivoting range, the two hinge parts (2, 3) of the hinge (1) are each axially stepped to form two axially offset end faces (23, 25) in the region of the axes of rotation 7, 8, wherein the two axially offset end faces (23, 25) are connected to each other by a sliding surface (24) and the sliding surface (24) is inclined at an angle (α) relative to the respective axis of rotation (7, 8), and the central part (4) is axially stepped to form at least two opposing end faces (20, 22) in the region of the axes of rotation 7, 8, wherein the two axially offset opposing end faces (20, 22) are connected to each other by a counter-sliding surface (21) and the counter-sliding surface (21) is oriented opposite to the sliding surface (24).and the sliding surface (24) and the counter-sliding surface (21) are arranged to lie against each other and slide against each other in a cooperating manner, and in a zero position with the hinge (1) in the lowered state, the end faces (23, 25) do not come into contact with the counter-end faces (20, 22).