Hydraulic Hinge with Integrated Damping for Concealed Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed hinges on the market lack control over the closing element during opening and closing, are bulky with many parts, pose safety concerns due to potential door impact, and fail to maintain consistent closing positions over time.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic hinge with a concealed design that includes a fixed and movable hinge body connected by a connection assembly, allowing controlled rotation around a longitudinal axis, featuring automatic closing and hydraulic damping, adjustable door alignment, and a reduced number of parts for enhanced safety and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If concealed hinges are designed to be compact and simple, then device complexity is reduced and ease of installation is improved, but control over the closing element during opening and closing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (hydraulic damping, automatic closing, checking mechanism) into a single integrated hinge body structure. The hydraulic cylinder, piston, and control valves are merged into one compact unit that performs all closing control functions without requiring separate mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support, a hydraulic damping system, an automatic closing mechanism, and a checking device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing the number of parts while providing comprehensive control over the closing element throughout its entire range of motion.
2Ease of operation
If concealed hinges include control mechanisms for closing element, then control during opening and closing is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanisms are merged into the hinge body structure itself. The hydraulic cylinder and piston are integrated within the hinge, and the control valves are built into the hinge body, eliminating the need for separate control devices and reducing overall complexity while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system components are nested within each other and within the hinge body structure. The piston is nested within the hydraulic cylinder, which is in turn integrated into the hinge body. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space required for control mechanisms while maintaining their full functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If concealed hinges are designed with minimal parts, then ease of installation and manufacturing are improved, but safety and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic damping system provides beforehand cushioning by controlling the closing speed of the door before it reaches the frame. The hydraulic resistance prevents sudden impacts by gradually dissipating kinetic energy, ensuring safe closing without requiring complex impact absorption mechanisms or additional safety parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system converts the harmful impact force into beneficial controlled motion. The hydraulic fluid transforms the kinetic energy of the closing door into controlled, gradual movement, turning potential damage into a smooth, safe closing action without requiring additional safety components.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic damping and automatic closing are added to concealed hinges, then control and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic damping and automatic closing functions are merged into a single integrated system. The hydraulic cylinder and piston work together with the hinge body to provide both damping and automatic closing without requiring separate mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system serves dual purposes: it provides damping during door closing and enables automatic closing when needed. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated hydraulic mechanism rather than separate systems, minimizing the number of parts required.
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 provides controlled movement, ensures safe and consistent door closure, supports heavy doors, maintains precise closing positions, and simplifies installation while reducing bulkiness and part count.
Implementation Method 1
a first element (11) mutually connected with the movable hinge body (10) so that the rotation of the movable hinge body (10) corresponds to the sliding of the first element (11)
Implementation Method 2
a second element (12) lying in said working chamber (13) and susceptible to elastically counteract the sliding of the first element (11)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~4c
AI summary
A hydraulic hinge for closing and/or opening and/or checking a closing element, such as a door, a window, a shutter or the like, anchored to a stationary support structure, such as a wall, a floor, a frame or the like. The hinge comprises a fixed element (20) anchorable to the stationary support structure and a movable element (10) anchorable to the closing element. The fixed (20) and movable (10) elements are mutually coupled in such a way that the latter (10) rotates with respect to the former (20) about a first longitudinal axis (X) between an open position and a closed position. One of the fixed element (20) and the movable element (10) includes at least one working chamber (13) defining a second longitudinal axis (Y), which comprises at least one portion (15) which includes: a plunger member (51) sliding along the second axis (Y) and a working fluid to hydraulically dampen the movement of the movable element (10). The plunger member (51) is mutually connected with one of the fixed element (20) and the movable element (10) so that the rotation of the latter (10) corresponds to the sliding of the former (51) and vice-versa. The plunger member (51) divides the at least one portion (15) of the working chamber (13) in at least two variable volume compartments (18, 19) fluidically communicating with each other. Upon one of the opening or closing of the closing element the working fluid flows from one of the first compartment (18) and the second compartment (19) to the other of the first compartment (18) and the second compartment (19), while upon the other of the opening or closing of the closing element the working fluid flows from the other of the first compartment (18) and the second compartment (19) to the one of the first compartment (18) and the second compartment (19).