Hydraulic Hinge With Integrated Damping Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for doors and shutters are bulky, costly, difficult to manufacture, require frequent maintenance, and lack adjustability in closing speed and snap-fit functionality, with complex designs and many components.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic hinge device with a minimal number of components, featuring a working chamber and slider mechanism that uses a hydraulic circuit with a valve system to control fluid flow, allowing for adjustable closing speed and safety features like overpressure protection, and a simplified design that eliminates the need for external channels or ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic hinges are used to ensure controlled door movement, then the closing speed control and snap-fit functionality are achieved, but the device becomes bulky and has high visual impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic circuit, valve system, and hinge mechanism into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the hinge pivot and the hydraulic working chamber, eliminating the need for separate external hydraulic components. This integration directly reduces the overall volume and visual bulkiness while maintaining the controlled door movement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device performs multiple functions within a single compact structure: it provides hinge rotation, hydraulic damping for closing speed control, snap-fit functionality, and overpressure protection. This multi-functionality allows the device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby reducing overall bulkiness.
2Reliability
If traditional hydraulic hinges with external channels and ducts are used, then the hydraulic circuit is complete, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hydraulic circuit channels directly into the housing structure rather than using separate external ducts. The housing itself forms the working chamber and contains the hydraulic passages, eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps to attach separate hydraulic components. This significantly simplifies manufacturing while maintaining complete hydraulic circuit functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves dual purposes: it provides the structural framework for the hinge mechanism and simultaneously contains the hydraulic circuit. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate hydraulic ducts and external channels, reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps while maintaining full hydraulic functionality.
3Speed
If traditional hydraulic hinges are used to control door closing, then the closing speed control is achieved, but the device requires frequent maintenance and has high cost
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the hydraulic circuit and valve system into the hinge housing, the patent creates a compact self-contained unit. This integration reduces the number of external connections and separate components that would require maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and cost while preserving closing speed control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The overpressure valve provides automatic protection against pressure buildup, eliminating the need for external pressure relief systems or frequent manual maintenance. The self-contained hydraulic circuit with integrated components reduces wear points and simplifies any required maintenance, directly addressing the high maintenance frequency issue.
4Reliability
If traditional hydraulic hinges are used, then the closing function is reliable, but the device lacks adjustability in closing speed and snap-fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable elements within the hydraulic circuit that allow users to modify the closing speed and snap-fit characteristics. The valve system can be adjusted to control fluid flow rates, providing dynamic adaptability in the door closing behavior while maintaining reliable hydraulic operation. This enables the same device to adapt to different door weights and closing requirements.
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 hydraulic hinge device provides a safe, low-bulkiness, easy-to-manufacture, and cost-effective solution with adjustable closing speed and snap-fit functionality, ensuring smooth movement and enhanced safety by preventing overpressure issues.
Implementation Method 1
The working chamber includes a working fluid acting upon the at least one slider to hydraulically counteract the action of the slider
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Hinge device comprising a fixed element (10), a movable element (11) and a slider (30, 60). One of the fixed element (10) and the movable element (11) comprises a working chamber (20) to slidingly house the slider (30, 60), the other of the fixed element (10) and movable element (11) comprising a pivot (50) reciprocally coupled with the slider (30, 60) so as the rotation of the movable element (11) corresponds to the sliding of the slider (30, 60) and vice versa. The working chamber (20) includes an end cap (27) and a working fluid. The slider (30, 60) includes a plunger member (30) that divides the working chamber (20) into a first and a second variable volume compartment (23, 24) fluidly communicating therebetween and preferably adjacent. The plunger member (30) comprises first valve means (32). The hydraulic circuit (100) includes a first duct (120) passing through the end cap (27) in fluid communication with both the first and the second compartment (23, 24). The end cap (27) includes an elongated tubular wall (28) extending within the working chamber (20). The hydraulic circuit (100) includes the interspace between the working chamber (20) and the elongated tubular wall (28). The latter is tightly inserted in the working chamber (20). The plunger member (30) is tightly inserted in the elongated tubular wall (28). The latter includes a first peripheral conduit (107) having a first port (102) in one of the first compartment (23) and the second compartment (24) and a second port (108) in fluid communication with the other of the first compartment (23) and the second compartment (24) through the first duct (120).