Hinge Wearing Element Metal Outer Plastic Inner Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearing rings for hinges are prone to being lost during fitting or removal, and multipart hinge elements are not user-friendly or secure, leading to frequent replacement and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A one-part wearing element comprising a plastic inner ring and a metal outer ring, where the metal ring surrounds the plastic ring with cooperating retaining means, forming a single unit with a passage only in the plastic ring, providing a smaller tolerance for the hinge pin and enhanced wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal wearing ring is used, then wear resistance is improved, but the risk of being lost during fitting or removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidretention security
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing a plastic inner ring inside a metal outer ring, where the plastic ring is retained within the metal ring's opening. This nested structure combines the wear resistance of metal with the secure retention properties of the plastic component, preventing the wearing element from being lost during fitting or removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining metal and plastic in a single wearing element structure. The metal outer ring provides durability and wear resistance, while the plastic inner ring offers secure retention and ease of operation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between wear resistance and retention security by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a wearing ring with large tolerance passage is used, then ease of fitting and removal is improved, but the risk of being lost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of fitting and removalVSAvoidretention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing the passage only in the plastic inner ring, which has favorable retention properties. The metal outer ring maintains structural integrity and wear resistance, while the plastic ring's passage is designed with appropriate tolerance for easy operation. This localized placement of the passage in the plastic portion resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and retention security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a one-part metal wearing ring is used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of fitting and removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of fitting and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials to resolve this contradiction by combining metal and plastic in a one-part wearing element. The metal outer ring ensures structural integrity and stability, while the plastic inner ring provides ease of fitting and removal through its deformable passage. This composite structure maintains unity and structural integrity while enabling easy operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the different mechanical properties of metal and plastic materials. The plastic component allows for temporary deformation during fitting and removal operations, then returns to its original shape, providing ease of operation while maintaining structural integrity through the metal outer ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2503083B1Wearing element for a hinge and hinge provided with one or more wearing elements
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 ARGENT ALU
  • EP2503083B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2503083B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2g
  • EP2503083B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3g

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wearing element for a hinge comprising a one-part body (1) with at least one wearing surface (3 a), in which a passage (4) for a hinge pin is provided, comprising a portion (2) made of plastic and a portion (3) made of metal, preferably a metal outer ring and a plastic inner ring, in which the passage (4) is only provided in the plastic portion (2), and in which the metal portion (3) forms at least a part of the wearing surface. This makes a smaller tolerance with respect to the associated hinge pin possible, whereas the wearing elements can easily be fitted and replaced and are also sufficiently resistant to wear.