Hydraulic Door Hinge With Calibrated Flow Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic hinges face challenges in efficiently controlling the flow of liquid through small openings to manage the rotation of closing elements, leading to manufacturing complexity and high costs, while also lacking durability.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design featuring a partitioned working chamber with a hydraulic sealing element and adjustable hydraulic ducts, utilizing disc-shaped elements to control fluid flow through a calibrated passage, allowing for precise regulation of rotation speed and simplifying manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If small openings are used to control liquid flow for efficient rotation control, then rotation control efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation control efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic duct is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a first hydraulic duct section for controlling rotation speed and a second hydraulic duct section for venting. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A movable partition wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second hydraulic duct sections. This partition wall can move to adjust the flow characteristics, providing precise rotation control without requiring complex small openings in the duct structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If small openings are used to control liquid flow, then rotation control efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation control efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic duct is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a first hydraulic duct section for controlling rotation speed and a second hydraulic duct section for venting. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A movable partition wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second hydraulic duct sections. This partition wall can move to adjust the flow characteristics, providing precise rotation control without requiring complex small openings in the duct structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple hinge structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flow control capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidflow control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust the flow characteristics of the hydraulic duct. This dynamic element provides sophisticated flow control capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A movable partition wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second hydraulic duct sections. This partition wall can move to adjust the flow characteristics, providing precise rotation control without requiring complex small openings in the duct structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If complex flow control mechanisms are used, then rotation control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust the flow characteristics of the hydraulic duct. This dynamic element provides sophisticated flow control capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic duct is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a first hydraulic duct section for controlling rotation speed and a second hydraulic duct section for venting. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The hinge achieves efficient control of rotation, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and enhances durability by using a simple and precise mechanism for fluid flow management.

Implementation Method 1

a hinge (1) comprising a movable element and a fixed element, which are mutually coupled to rotate around an axis X between a closed position and an open position, one of the fixed element and the movable element includes at least one working chamber (11) defining a longitudinal axis Y, the at least one working chamber (11) including a hydraulic sealing element (35) sealingly inserted into the working chamber (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic sealing:

Implementation Method 2

a plunger element (30) slidable along the axis Y and a working fluid for hydraulically damping the movement of the movable element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic damping:

Implementation Method 3

a plunger element having a slidable disc-shaped head suitable to partition the working chamber into two variable volume compartments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVariable volume compartment:

Implementation Method 4

need to provide one or more hydraulic ducts to place in fluid communication such variable volume compartments so as to allow the sliding of the plunger element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 5

utilizing disc-shaped elements to control fluid flow through a calibrated passage, allowing for precise regulation of rotation speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow control through calibrated passage:

Data Source

PatentEP3844361B1Hinge for the rotatable movement of a door or similar closing element
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 COLCOM GRP SPA
  • EP3844361B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3844361B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3844361B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A hinge for the rotatable movement of a door (D) or a similar closing element anchored to a wall (S) or to a similar stationary support, the hinge comprising a fixed element (20) couplable to the wall (S) or a similar stationary support and a movable element (10) couplable to the door (D) or a similar closing element. The fixed (20) and movable (10) elements are mutually rotatably coupled to mutually rotate around a first longitudinal axis (X) between an open position and a closed position. The hinge further comprises a hydraulic duct (60) with a calibrated passage (150) for the working fluid and adjustment means (62) acting thereon to control the movement of the door (D).