Hydraulic Hinge Device with Integrated Damping and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge devices for doors and shutters are bulky, difficult to manufacture, expensive, require frequent maintenance, and lack adjustability in closing speed and latch mechanism, with complex constructions and unsightly visual impact.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic hinge device with a simplified design, featuring a compact structure with minimal components, including a thrust spring and a hydraulic system within tubular half-shells, allowing for controlled movement and adjustable closing speed, and incorporating an overpressure valve for safety and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional closing means and hydraulic damping means are used to ensure controlled door movement, then the door closing function is reliable, but the device becomes bulky and has unpleasant visual impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closing means (spring) and hydraulic damping means into a single integrated hinge device. The closing cap houses both the thrust spring for closing action and the hydraulic circuit for damping, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces overall device bulk while maintaining reliable controlled door movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic circuit is nested within the closing cap structure. The closing cap contains the thrust spring, hydraulic piston, and fluid circuit in a compact nested arrangement. This nesting allows the damping and closing functions to coexist in a small volume, reducing the visual impact and physical size of the hinge device.
2Reliability
If traditional closing means are used to ensure door return function, then the closing action is reliable, but the device has large number of constructive parts that are difficult to manufacture and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (closing, damping, and structural support) into a single integrated hinge device with minimal components. The closing cap serves as both a structural element and a housing for the hydraulic circuit and spring mechanism, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge device is designed as a multi-functional unit where the closing cap performs multiple roles: structural support, hydraulic circuit housing, and spring mechanism containment. This universality reduces the number of specialized components needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost.
3Reliability
If traditional closing means are used, then door closing function is achieved, but the device does not allow adjustment of closing speed and latch closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable needle valve in the hydraulic circuit that allows dynamic adjustment of the closing speed. The valve can be tuned to control fluid flow resistance, enabling variable damping characteristics. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the hinge to adapt to different door weights and closing speed requirements while maintaining reliable closing function.
4Volume of moving object
If hydraulic circuit is contained in closing cap, then size is reduced, but the device requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit is designed as a sealed, maintenance-free system contained within the closing cap. The thrust spring and hydraulic components are pre-assembled and sealed, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance. The system is designed to operate reliably without user intervention, reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining compact size.
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 cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture, and safe solution with reduced bulkiness, enabling controlled door movement and adjustable closing speed, while minimizing maintenance needs and allowing installation on both right and left opening elements.
Implementation Method 1
From document EP0407150 it is known a door closer that includes hydraulic damping means to counteract the action of the closing means
Implementation Method 2
The elastic means may include a thrust spring with relatively high load
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A 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) comprise a working chamber (20) to slidingly house the slider (30, 60), the other of the fixed element (10) and the movable element (11) comprising a pivot (50) reciprocally coupled to the slider (30, 60) so as the rotation of the movable element (11) corresponds to the sliding of the slider (30, 60) and viceversa. The working chamber (20) includes a closing cap (27) and a working fluid. The slider (30, 60) includes a plunger member (30) separating the working chamber (20) in a first and second variable volume compartments (23, 24) that are fluidly communicating therebetween and preferably adjacent. The plunger member (30) comprises first valve means (32). The first duct (120) passing through the closing cap (27) in fluid communication with both the first and second compartments (23, 24). The duct (120) comprises at least one first opening (121) for the selective passage of the working fluid. The at least one closing cap (27) further includes valve means (200) interacting with the at least one first opening (121) to keep it normally closed. The valve means (200) and the at least one plunger member (30) are in a spacial relationship so as to remain reciprocally spaced apart for a first part of the stroke of the at least one plunger member thereof (30) and such that for a second part of the stroke of the plunger member thereof (30), the latter acts upon the former (200) to open said at least one first opening (121), so that the closing element (D) latches towards the open or closed position.