Hinge with Molded Grooves for Secure Halt Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges with multiple halt positions are complex to manufacture and mount, prone to misalignment, and sensitive to environmental changes, with poor tribological coupling and risk of shock-induced unlocking, especially under heavy loads and varying conditions.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design featuring two wing elements with hollow cylindrical appendixes and a pivot member that includes a wedge element and a harmonic shock absorber, such as a spiral spring, housed within a polygonal cylindrical body, allowing for easy assembly and secure positioning without external mechanical supports, and resistant to high pressures and environmental changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional steel locking elements with spring-sphere pairs are used, then the hinge can maintain secure positions, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure position retentionVSAvoidhinge structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the locking function from complex steel mechanisms and relocates it to molded-in grooves and protrusions directly formed on the hinge wings during molding. This eliminates the need for separate locking elements while maintaining the secure positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the locking elements, springs, and hinge structure into a single integrated component molded from polyamide material. The grooves, protrusions, and spring chambers are all formed as part of the same molded structure, reducing assembly complexity and part count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If steel locking elements with multiple adjustment holes and grooves are used, then halt positions can be defined, but manufacturing precision and mounting difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehalt position adjustmentVSAvoidgroove and hole alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates multiple pre-formed grooves and protrusions directly into the molded hinge structure at predetermined angles. These features are created during the molding process itself, ensuring precise angular positioning without requiring post-manufacturing alignment or adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of adjustable steel locking elements with molded-in polyamide features. The halt positions are defined by the fixed geometry of molded grooves and protrusions rather than by adjustable mechanical components, eliminating alignment precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If visible spring elements are used to drive locking spheres, then the hinge can function, but the springs are vulnerable to shock and unexpected unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge functionalityVSAvoidprotection from shock-induced unlocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention nests the spring elements within recesses or chambers formed in the hinge wings, with the spring ends anchored to the molded structure. This nested configuration protects the springs from external shocks and prevents unexpected unlocking while maintaining the driving function for the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Device complexity

If simple rib and groove engagement is used for light loads, then the hinge structure is simplified, but the solution fails under heavier loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement structure simplicityVSAvoidload bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses polyamide material with reinforced properties to create molded-in engagement features. The combination of the polyamide matrix and reinforcement provides both the simplicity of molded features and the strength required to handle heavy loads, overcoming the limitations of simple rib-groove engagement in metal hinges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides a simple, reliable, and durable hinge that maintains secure positions under varying loads and environmental conditions, with easy assembly and reduced risk of misalignment, while keeping the spring elements protected from damage.

Implementation Method 1

a harmonic shock absorber, such as a spiral spring, housed within a polygonal cylindrical body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a wedge element and a harmonic shock absorber, such as a spiral spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentUS10344512B2Hinge with defined halt positions

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 ELESA

AI summary

Hinge for the support and the maneuvering of doors, made up of two wing elements and provided with means for attachment to a frame part and respectively to a door portion, as well as mutually reinforcing means in a pivoting zone, the means being constituted by appendices internally hollow in the form of a cylindrical body projecting from the wing elements, characterized in that at least one of the appendices of the wings provides on the inner surface axial grooves suitable for housing a push-engagement element housed inside a pivot pin of the wing elements and protruding from it.