Hydraulically Damped Hinge With Compact Multi-Orientation Closing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulically damped hinges are limited by the need for a sufficient volume of hydraulic fluid, which increases the size of the hinge, and cannot be mounted in various orientations due to their upright positioning requirement.
Innovation Solution
The hinge members are made of synthetic material, with a metal damper shaft, allowing for a compact design with a larger hydraulic fluid volume and incorporating an adjustable valve in the damper shaft for controlling closing speed, along with sealing rings and roller bearings to minimize leakage and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the volume of hydraulic fluid is increased to ensure stable operation, then the damping performance is improved, but the size of the hinge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge members are made of synthetic material (such as polyamide or polypropylene) instead of traditional metal materials. This composite material approach allows for weight reduction and size minimization while maintaining the structural integrity and damping performance required for stable operation of the closure member.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using synthetic materials with specific mechanical properties that provide sufficient strength and durability. This parameter change enables the hinge to achieve stable operation with a more compact design, as the synthetic materials allow for optimized structural geometry that maintains performance while reducing overall size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge is designed for upright mounting only, then the internal components are properly positioned, but the hinge cannot be used for differently oriented closure members
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is designed with universal mounting capability, allowing it to be installed in various orientations (upright, horizontal, inverted) depending on the application requirements. The synthetic material construction and internal component design enable the hinge to maintain proper functionality regardless of mounting orientation, making it adaptable to different closure member configurations.
3Strength
If the damper shaft is made of synthetic material to match hinge members, then manufacturing is simplified, but strength and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damper shaft is made of metal material (such as steel or aluminum alloy) while the hinge members are made of synthetic material. This composite material approach provides the damper shaft with the necessary strength and compactness to effectively control the closing movement, while the synthetic hinge members provide durability and corrosion resistance. The different materials are compatible and can be manufactured separately then assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge is divided into separate components with different materials - the hinge members (synthetic) and the damper shaft (metal). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and material properties, then assembled together. The metal damper shaft provides the required strength for damping control, while the synthetic hinge members provide environmental resistance.
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 solution achieves improved hinge operation with reduced size and enhanced reliability, accommodating different orientations and temperature variations while maintaining efficient damping and closing control.
Implementation Method 1
a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel and being filled with a volume of hydraulic fluid; a piston within said cylinder cavity so as to divide the closed cylinder cavity into a high pressure compartment and a low pressure compartment
Implementation Method 2
The one-way valve present in the piston allows hydraulic fluid flow when opening the closure member. However, when closing the closure member, the one-way valve is closed such that hydraulic fluid has to flow along a restricted fluid passage thereby damping the closing movement
Implementation Method 3
The rotational motion of the damper shaft is transformed into a sliding motion of the piston in the cylinder barrel by the use of two complementary screw threads disposed on the inner surface of the piston and the outer surface of the damper shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge comprising: a first hinge member (110) comprising a cylinder barrel (117) having a longitudinal direction (118); a second hinge member (111) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (110); and a dashpot interposed between said hinge members (110, 111) and configured for damping a closing movement of said closure member. The dashpot comprises a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel (117); a damper shaft (124) which extends into the cylinder cavity and is connected to the second hinge member (111); and a piston (147) within said cylinder cavity. The hinge members (110, 111) are made of a synthetic material and the damper shaft (124) is made of metal.