Hinge Return Spring with Adjustable Preload via Hollow Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring hinges lack user-adjustable preload and are complex to manufacture on an industrial scale, resulting in high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a hollow pin and a return spring with adjustable preload, where the spring's first portion is coupled with the first knuckle and the second portion with the pin, allowing for adjustable rotation and using a non-return ratchet system for easy adjustment, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a known spring hinge design is used, then the hinge structure is relatively simple, but the spring preload is not adjustable or difficult to adjust by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is nested within the hollow pin, with the spring housed inside the pin's hollow interior. This allows the spring mechanism to be integrated within the existing hinge structure without adding external complexity, while still enabling preload adjustment through the pin's rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is designed to be rotatable relative to the second knuckle, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spring preload. The ratchet mechanism enables the pin to rotate in one direction to adjust preload while preventing reverse rotation, providing a dynamic yet controllable adjustment system
2Ease of operation
If a known spring hinge design with adjustable preload is used, then the preload can be adjusted, but the hinge comprises a large number of parts and is complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the pin itself - the pin incorporates both the hollow spring housing and the ratchet adjustment mechanism. This integration reduces the number of separate parts compared to conventional designs where the spring, housing, and adjustment mechanism are separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The pin serves multiple functions: it acts as the hollow housing for the return spring, provides the ratchet mechanism for preload adjustment, and functions as the rotational connection element between knuckles. This multi-functionality reduces the overall part count and manufacturing complexity
3Device complexity
If a known spring hinge design is used, then the hinge structure is relatively simple, but the manufacturing cost is high due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spring housing and adjustment mechanism into the single pin component, the design reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs despite maintaining structural simplicity
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
Enables easy and adjustable spring preload while maintaining a robust and simple structure, reducing production costs and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring housed in whole or in part in the hollow pin, the return spring being configured to exert a return force
Implementation Method 2
The second knuckle is configured to drive the hollow pin in rotation only in a second direction of relative rotation between the first wing and the second wing around the axial direction, opposite to the first direction of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Hinge (10) comprising a first wing (12) having a first hinge (14), a second wing (16) having a second hinge (18), a hollow pin (22), and a return spring (20) housed in whole or in part in the hollow pin (22), the return spring (20) being configured to exert a return force in a first direction (C1) of rotation and having a first portion (20A) and a second portion (20B), the first portion (20A) being coupled in rotation with the first hinge (14) while the second portion (20B) is coupled in rotation with the pin (22), the second hinge (18) being configured to drive the hollow pin (22) in rotation only in a second direction (C2) of rotation opposite to the first direction (C1) of rotation, by means of which a preload of the return spring (20) is adjustable.