Insulated Door Hinge Assembly With Rotating Power Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge assemblies for doors with insulated glass units and electrical appliances, such as refrigerated cabinets, face challenges in reliably delivering electrical power to integrated light fixtures and heating elements within the glass units.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with integrated electrical contact means in both the housing and post member, allowing for secure and continuous power delivery to electrical appliances within the door, utilizing various contact configurations to maintain connectivity during door rotation and minimize wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contact means are integrated into the hinge assembly for power delivery to appliances in the door, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical contact means with the hinge assembly components, integrating power delivery functionality into the existing mechanical hinge structure. The first contact means is mounted in the housing while the second contact means is disposed in the post member, merging electrical and mechanical functions in a single assembly unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support and rotation for the door while simultaneously delivering electrical power to appliances within the door. The contact means are positioned to maintain electrical connectivity throughout the door's range of motion, enabling the hinge to function both mechanically and electrically.
2Ease of operation
If the post member is allowed to rotate relative to the housing for door movement, then door operability is improved, but electrical contact reliability deteriorates due to wear and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic electrical contact system where the second contact means in the rotatable post member maintains electrical connection with the first contact means in the housing during rotation. The contact means are positioned and dimensioned to ensure continuous electrical connectivity throughout the door's angular range of motion, adapting to the dynamic movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact means act as intermediaries that maintain the electrical circuit intact during the mechanical rotation of the post member. The first contact means in the housing and the second contact means in the post member work together to bridge the electrical connection across the moving interface.
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
Ensures consistent power supply to electrical appliances within the door, reducing wear on contact points and allowing for reliable operation of light fixtures and heating elements, while accommodating different door positions and movements.
Implementation Method 1
a second electrical contact means disposed in the post in electrical contact with the first contact means for connection to the electrical appliance in the door
Data Source
AI summary
The hinge assembly comprises a housing for mounting on a cabinet and a post member for mounting on a door and for rotation relative to the housing. A first electrical contact is mounted within the housing for connection to a source of electrical power in the cabinet and a second electrical contact is disposed in the post in electrical contact with the first contact for connection to an electrical appliance in the door. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts rotate relative to each other as the post member pivots on the housing while in other embodiments; the electrical contacts remain stationary relative to each other as the post member pivots on the housing.