Hinged Cover Assembly With Enclosed Cavity Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged cover assemblies for underground installations, such as manholes and wells, are complex to assemble and prone to corrosion due to exposure to water and dirt, leading to potential malfunction and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly with a frame and rotatable cover mounted via an attachable mounting assembly featuring a height-adjustable support unit and a hinge member enclosed within a cavity to prevent water and dirt exposure, allowing for tool-free assembly and maintenance, and integration of a lift-assist mechanism for easier operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hinge member is exposed to water and dirt in typical prior art constructions, then the assembly process is simplified, but the reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and malfunction risks
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element between the hinge member and the external environment. This seal member prevents water and dirt from reaching the rotating shaft and bearing surfaces, thereby protecting the hinge mechanism from corrosion while maintaining assembly simplicity. The seal acts as a barrier that mediates between the need for easy assembly and the requirement for corrosion resistance.
2Reliability
If complex assembly methods with screws, nuts or bolts are used in prior art cover assemblies, then the reliability improves through secure fastening, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is designed as an integrated component that combines the functions of the rotating mechanism, mounting structure, and fastening elements into a single unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate screws, nuts, and bolts, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure fastening through the integrated design of the hinge member itself.
3Manufacturing precision
If subsequent processing such as grinding is applied to cast iron cover assemblies, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming processes and increased production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing approach is changed from post-casting grinding to precision casting process control. By optimizing the casting parameters, mold design, and cooling rates, the desired surface finish and dimensional accuracy are achieved directly during the casting process itself. This parameter change eliminates the need for subsequent grinding operations, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cover assembly (2) comprising a frame (6) having a peripheral wall defining an access opening and a cover (4) rotatably mounted to the frame (6) by means of an attachable mounting assembly (34, 36) comprising a shaft member (36, 68) rotatably mounted in a hinge member (36, 70) having an enclosing portion (106) that at least partially encloses the shaft member (36, 68), wherein said hinge member (36, 70) is rotatably mounted in a cavity (118) provided in the frame member (6).