Hinge Lubrication Housing With Absorbent Insert to Prevent Overspray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods of lubricating door hinges often result in lubricant overspray onto adjacent surfaces, creating messes and safety hazards, and require disassembly of the hinge, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A device with a flexible housing and absorption element that allows for lubricant to be applied directly to the hinge without disassembly, using a compression force to dispense lubricant onto the hinge's components, preventing overspray and ensuring proper lubrication of inner hinge parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lubricant is applied by spraying or wiping methods, then the hinge components can be lubricated, but lubricant overspray onto adjacent surfaces occurs creating messes and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication effectivenessVSAvoidlubricant overspray

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an absorption element as an intermediary between the lubricant source and the hinge components. This absorption element selectively absorbs the lubricant and prevents it from overspraying onto adjacent surfaces, while still allowing it to reach the hinge components through controlled transfer during compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible housing that can be compressed to transfer the absorption element against the hinge components. This flexible enclosure contains the lubricant application process, preventing overspray while enabling effective lubrication through mechanical compression and contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the hinge is disassembled to apply lubricant to inner parts, then proper lubrication of all components is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication coverageVSAvoiddisassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the absorption element inside the flexible housing, creating a nested structure that can be inserted into the hinge assembly without disassembly. The absorption element is positioned to engage with the hinge components internally, allowing lubrication of inner parts while the housing remains intact and the hinge stays assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption element is designed to automatically transfer lubricant to the hinge components through compression, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and reassembly. The system performs the lubrication function itself through the mechanical action of compressing the flexible housing, which forces the absorption element against the hinge parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If compression force is applied to dispense lubricant, then lubricant is delivered directly to hinge components, but additional mechanical force is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubricant application simplicityVSAvoidcompression force required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the compressibility of the flexible housing material to create a pneumatic-like effect. When compressed, the housing material itself generates the force needed to push the absorption element against the hinge components, reducing the need for additional mechanical force from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible housing is designed to dynamically respond to compression forces, changing its shape and internal pressure to facilitate lubricant transfer. The material's elastic properties allow it to store and release mechanical energy, making the compression process more efficient and requiring less sustained force from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively lubricates door hinges without overspray or mess, ensuring quiet operation and reducing maintenance time by allowing for efficient application of lubricant directly to the hinge's inner parts without disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The first absorption element is disposed within the flexible housing such that a compression force to the flexible housing causes the first absorption element to compress. When the first absorption element is absorbing lubricant and a hinge is disposed within the flexible housing, the first absorption element is positioned to engage the hinge such that the lubricant is dispensed from the first absorption element and onto the hinge when the first absorption element is compressed.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11852295B2Hinge lubrication device

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 HEY 9 INC

AI summary

A device for lubricating a hinge includes a housing, a first elongated opening, and an absorption element. The first elongated opening allows the housing to be placed over at least a portion of a hinge. The first absorption element entirely disposed within the housing such that the first absorption element is positioned to engage a portion of a hinge when the housing is placed over the portion of the hinge.