Hinge Assembly with Recessed Clamping for Discreet Bathroom Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hinges for bathroom elements, such as shower or bathtub panes, face challenges in creating a discreet, high-performance, reliable, and easy-to-produce connection between the hinge body and the second element, often relying on screws that pass through pre-drilled holes, which can be inefficient and difficult to disassemble.
Innovation Solution
The connection between the hinge body and the second element is achieved through a connecting element that applies pressure in the plane of the second element, using a recessed profile and a protruding support element, allowing for efficient tightening and easy disassembly, with optional beveled profiles and a U-shaped groove for enhanced centering and clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screws pass through pre-drilled holes to connect the hinge body and second element, then the connection is simple to implement, but the assembly is not discreet and difficult to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the visible screw connection from the final assembly by using a separate connecting element that is inserted into a recessed profile. The connecting element engages with the hinge body through a hidden mechanism, removing the need for externally visible screws and pre-drilled holes, thus achieving a discreet appearance while maintaining ease of implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element is nested within the recessed profile of the hinge body, with the support element fitting into a complementary recessed shape on the second element. This nested arrangement hides the connection mechanism within the structure itself, achieving discretion while allowing for simple assembly and disassembly.
2Strength
If traditional screw connections are used, then the connection is structurally simple, but disassembly is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element incorporates a movable support element that can shift position under pressure. This dynamic feature allows the support element to be easily inserted and engaged during assembly, and similarly easily disengaged during disassembly, while maintaining a strong, stable connection during normal use. The movable nature of the support element provides mechanical advantage for both assembly and disassembly operations.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact hinge design is pursued, then the hinge is more discreet and space-efficient, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the connecting element: it provides structural connection, enables movement and adjustment, and achieves discretion by being hidden within the recessed profile. The support element combines clamping, centering, and positioning functions in a single component, reducing the number of separate parts needed and simplifying manufacturing despite the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element serves multiple purposes: it connects the hinge body to the second element, provides a discreet appearance by being hidden in the recessed profile, enables easy assembly and disassembly through its movable support element, and maintains connection strength through the engagement mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying manufacturing.
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
This solution provides a compact, discreet, and efficient hinge assembly that is easy to produce and disassemble, ensuring reliable articulation while maintaining a high level of performance and commercial competitiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure means acting on said support element, in order to move the same, in a guided manner, on the periphery of the hinge body, in a direction parallel to said plane
Implementation Method 2
a bevel gear means be interposed between the pressure piece and the support piece
Data Source
AI summary
This is a hinge assembly for articulating, relative to a first part (13), a second part (15) that extends generally in a plane (23). The hinge comprises a mounting (3) designed to be fixed to the first part and a hinge body (5) articulated to the mounting about an axis parallel to said plane. The connection between the body and the second part (15) is made by a clamping action and/or an action of relevant movement followed by a mutual clamping, or a clamping of this second part to at least one interposed connecting part (27), this being in said plane of this second part or in a direction having a component in this plane.