Hinge Sleeve Cable Routing for Window Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges with electrical cable routing are complex to assemble and prone to cable damage due to insufficient rigidity, leading to potential tearing or squeezing when doors or windows are opened and closed.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design featuring a hinge sleeve that encapsulates the cable completely, with inlet openings protected by plastic passage sleeves, allowing the cable to bend freely and reducing torsion, and a plug connection system for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring the cable remains invisible and protected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible flat band is used to route the cable through the hinge, then the cable can be guided in a serpentine shape, but the hinge becomes complex to assemble and the flat band lacks sufficient rigidity preventing tearing or pinching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing flexibilityVSAvoidhinge assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable routing function is extracted from the hinge mechanism itself and placed in a separate conduit that runs through the hinge. The cable is guided through a dedicated passage in the hinge body rather than being routed through the hinge mechanism, separating the cable guidance function from the hinge operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A conduit acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the hinge mechanism. The conduit provides a protected pathway for the cable, preventing direct contact with moving hinge parts while maintaining cable flexibility and preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the flat band cable is routed through the hinge mechanism, then electrical connection is achieved, but the cable is prone to tearing and pinching during door operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcable damage from pinching and tearing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is extracted from the hinge mechanism and routed through a separate conduit, removing it from the zone of mechanical stress and potential damage during door opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit provides protective cushioning for the cable before it can be subjected to pinching or tearing forces. The conduit wall acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the cable and hinge components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If a detachable mechanical connection is provided between hinge bodies, then assembly and disassembly is facilitated, but the cable routing becomes more complex requiring plug-in connectors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidcable connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection and electrical connection are merged into a single integrated connector assembly. When the hinge bodies are mechanically connected, the cable conduit aligns and connects automatically, providing both mechanical and electrical connection simultaneously without separate plug-in operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3867474B1Hinge and method for mounting or de-mounting the hinge
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SITTER CHRISTIAN
  • EP3867474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3867474B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3867474B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a hinge for a component, in particular a door or window, of which hinge parts (1, 2) provided with hinge bushes (3, 4) can be fastened to a profile frame (13, 12) or to the frame of the component and can be rotated relative to each other about the longitudinal axis (6) of at least one hinge pin interconnecting said parts. The hinge has a cable feedthrough comprising at least one cable (11), for which the hinge pin is in the form of a hinge sleeve (5) and the at least one cable (11) is fed through inlet openings (9a, 9b) in the hinge bushes (3, 4) and through the at least one hinge sleeve (5). In this way, the cable can be installed invisibly since, in the hinge bushes, it is fed directly into the interior of the profile frame carrying the hinge parts.