Hinge Device Power Generation via Input Shaft Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack a practical method to incorporate a power generating device into a hinge, effectively extracting energy from user's living activities to generate electric power.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with first and second hinge components having a common reference axis, incorporating a power generating device with a housing and input shaft, where the input shaft is restrained to the second hinge component, allowing rotation to generate electric power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a power generating device is incorporated into a hinge, then energy can be extracted from user's living activities to generate electric power, but the structural complexity of the hinge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power generating device is integrated into the hinge structure by fixing the housing to one hinge component and restraining the input shaft to the other hinge component. This merging combines the power generation function with the hinge's rotational function, allowing energy extraction from door opening/closing activities while maintaining a unified structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device is designed to perform multiple functions: it maintains the hinge's primary function of supporting and rotating the door, while simultaneously serving as a power generating device that converts rotational motion into electric power. The input shaft's restraint mechanism ensures that the power generation function is activated by the same rotational movement that operates the door.
2Power
If the input shaft is restrained to the second hinge component, then rotation of the second hinge component is transmitted to generate power, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into two separate hinge components, with the power generating device's housing fixed to one component and the input shaft restrained to the other. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a fully integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The input shaft acts as an intermediary element that transmits rotational motion from the second hinge component to the power generating device. By restraining the input shaft to the second hinge component, the design creates a reliable mechanical connection that efficiently transmits motion while allowing for standard manufacturing tolerances.
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 hinge device efficiently extracts energy from user's activities to generate electric power, providing a compact and reliable power generation system.
Implementation Method 1
The power generating device is provided with a housing 30 and an input shaft 31, and generates electric power by rotation of the input shaft 31
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge device includes: a first and a second hinge components having a common reference axis; and a power generating device. The first and the second hinge components are engaged with each other, so as to be rotatable about the reference axis relative to each other, and so that one of the first and the second hinge components supports the other. The power generating device includes a housing and an input shaft, and generates electric power by rotation of the input shaft. The housing of the power generating device is fixed to the first hinge component, so that the input shaft of the power generating device is positioned on the reference axis. The input shaft of the power generating device is restrained to the second hinge component with respect to the direction of rotation about the reference axis, so that the input shaft of the power generating device rotates by as much as rotation of the second hinge component when the second hinge component rotates about the reference axis.