Hinge Slip Ring Integration for Wear-Free Signal Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges for doors, windows, and furniture that transmit power or data signals suffer from wear and tear due to recurring movement, leading to cable fatigue and breakage, and require expensive special components and modifications for wireless energy and signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design with a free space between second rollers accommodating a standard slip ring for power and/or signal transmission, using third and fourth rollers to house the slip ring, which is protected and not visible externally, allowing for alignment and centering of rollers via pivot pins and cable ducts for connecting cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cable is run from the stationary frame via the hinged belt to the movable element, then power or data signal transmission is achieved, but wear and tear occurs due to recurring movement leading to cable fatigue and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a slip ring system that enables wireless power and data transmission. The slip ring allows electrical contacts to rotate smoothly without mechanical cable connections, eliminating wear and tear from recurring movement while maintaining reliable signal transmission between the stationary frame and movable element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a slip ring body system with gold-coated sliding tracks is used for wireless energy and signal transmission, then wear-free transmission is achieved, but the hinge becomes expensive and requires special components and modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear-free transmissionVSAvoidhinge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal slip ring component that can be integrated into standard hinge structures without requiring special customized parts. The slip ring serves multiple functions: providing wireless power transmission, enabling data signal communication, and maintaining mechanical rotation capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components while achieving wear-free transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The slip ring is nested within the existing hinge structure, specifically positioned between the rollers of the hinge strap. This nesting approach allows the slip ring to be housed within the standard hinge geometry, avoiding the need for external special components and simplifying the overall hinge structure while maintaining wireless transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard components are used for the hinge straps with a free space between second rollers, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but the slip ring requires additional housing structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge production simplicityVSAvoidroller arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge strap is segmented into multiple rollers with specific spacing, creating a free space between the second rollers that accommodates the slip ring. This segmentation allows standard roller components to be used individually while the overall arrangement provides the necessary housing space for the slip ring, maintaining manufacturing simplicity without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3712364B1Hinge for doors, windows and furniture
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 BREUER & SCHMITZ
  • EP3712364B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3712364B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3712364B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a hinge for doors, windows and furniture with a first hinge leaf (2) having two spaced-apart first rollers (7) arranged on a common pivot axis (6) and with a second hinge leaf (3) having two spaced-apart second rollers (8) arranged on the pivot axis (6), wherein each second roller (8) adjoins a first roller (7) from the inside in the direction of the pivot axis, wherein adjacent first and second rollers (7, 8) are each pivotably connected to each other about the pivot axis (6) via a pivot bolt (13).It is provided that a free space (9) exists between the two second rollers (8) and that a third belt flap (4) with a third roller (10) and a fourth belt flap (5) with a fourth roller (11) are provided, wherein the third and fourth rollers (10,11) are arranged side by side in the free space (9) on the pivot axis (6), wherein a slip ring (12) for power and/or signal transmission is accommodated within the third and fourth rollers (10,11).