Self-Locking Hinge Latch Mechanism for Quick Door Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinge systems are difficult to assemble and install, require precise alignment of brackets before inserting a pivot pin, and are challenging to disassemble, making them cumbersome for engagement and separation of doors from doorframes.
Innovation Solution
A door hinge system featuring a doorframe bracket with an exposed vertical pin and a latch bracket with a channel and cam edge for frictional engagement, allowing self-locking when the door is closed, and enabling easy separation by retracting a safety slide to disengage the latch from the pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mating brackets with vertically aligned openings are used, then the door hinge system provides basic pivoting function, but the assembly and installation become troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is divided into separate components: a door bracket, a doorframe bracket, and a pivot pin. The door bracket includes a body with a pivot pin receiving opening and a latch mechanism, while the doorframe bracket includes a body with a pivot pin receiving opening. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled by simply inserting the pivot pin, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is pre-configured in the door bracket before assembly. When the pivot pin is inserted into the doorframe bracket, the latch automatically engages with the pin through cam action, preliminarily securing the connection before final tightening. This preliminary action eliminates the need for precise manual alignment during assembly.
2Reliability
If precise alignment of openings in mating brackets is required before pivot pin insertion, then the door hinge provides stable connection, but the positioning and retention during assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism performs self-alignment and self-securing functions. As the pivot pin is inserted into the doorframe bracket, the latch automatically engages with the pin through cam action, creating a self-aligning system that does not require precise manual positioning. The latch mechanism itself provides the positioning function, eliminating the need for operators to manually align the brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism utilizes cam action to transform the insertion motion of the pivot pin into a locking action. As the pin is inserted, the cam surface of the latch converts the linear insertion motion into rotational movement that engages the latch with the pin, changing the parameter of connection from loose to securely locked.
3Strength
If traditional pivot pin removal is required for disassembly, then the door hinge provides secure attachment, but the uncoupling and disassembly process becomes problematic and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be dynamically controllable. It can be held in a locked position during normal operation to provide secure attachment, but can be quickly released by actuating the latch release mechanism. This dynamic design allows the same mechanism to provide both strong attachment and easy disassembly, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pivot pin and the brackets. Instead of directly removing the pivot pin to disassemble the hinge, the operator interacts with the latch mechanism, which mediates the disassembly process by releasing its grip on the pivot pin. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the disassembly operation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vertically aligned openings with non-integral pivot pins are used, then the door can rotate relative to the doorframe, but the tolerances and positioning between mating engagement tabs make assembly problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism provides self-aligning capability that compensates for manufacturing tolerances. As the pivot pin is inserted, the latch automatically adjusts its position to engage with the pin, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment of the openings. The system serves itself by automatically compensating for tolerance variations in the mating components.
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
Facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of doors from doorframes with reduced assembly complexity, allowing for quick attachment and detachment, and provides a self-locking mechanism without the need for precise alignment of openings.
Implementation Method 1
The latch may include a leading cam edge which is adapted to frictionally engage the pin following insertion of the pin into the channel.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a door hinge system which includes an integral exposed vertically oriented pin as a portion of a doorframe bracket, and a central latch bracket as engaged to a door. The pivotal manipulation of the door engages the latch of the central latch bracket to the pin, to secure the door to the doorframe. The central latch bracket includes a channel for receipt of the pin which is securely and releasably retained in the channel by the leading cam edge of the latch and safety slide. Disengagement of the latch from the pin enables a door to be easily separated from doorframe for re-hanging at a future time.