Integral Pivot Pin Door Hinge for Sagging and Noise Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door hinges for animal enclosures suffer from uneven load distribution, leading to sagging and noise, and are difficult to remove and reattach due to the need for separate tools and alignment challenges, especially when doors or frames are warped or out of square.

Innovation Solution

A door assembly with integrally formed pivot pin assemblies and a cooperating hinge featuring vertically oriented pivot pins and horizontal support members, along with a self-lubricating bushing and reinforcing member, allows for even load distribution and easy manual removal and reattachment without additional tools, reducing sagging and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional interlocked leaf hinges are used, then the door can be supported and pivoted, but the load is unevenly distributed causing sagging and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor support stabilityVSAvoidsagging and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into multiple barrel segments (typically three) that are distributed along the length of the hinge leaf. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than concentrated at a single pivot point, reducing the twisting moment on individual segments and preventing sagging while maintaining smooth operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the pivot pin and the barrel segments. The bushing provides a low-friction interface that reduces direct contact between the door leaf and frame leaf, minimizing noise and wear while allowing the pivot pin to rotate smoothly within the distributed barrel segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate hinge pins are used, then the door can be attached to the frame, but removal and reattachment require separate tools and are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor attachmentVSAvoiddoor removal and reattachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot pin is merged with the door assembly, forming an integral part of the door rather than a separate component. This integration allows the pivot pin to be removed and reattached as a single unit with the door, eliminating the need for separate tools and simplifying the process. The pivot pin can be manually extracted from the barrel segments and reinserted without requiring specialized extraction or alignment tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If larger hinges with more barrel segments are used, then sagging is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesagging resistanceVSAvoidhinge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into multiple barrel segments (typically three) that are distributed along the length of the hinge leaf. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than concentrated at a single pivot point, reducing the twisting moment on individual segments and preventing sagging while maintaining smooth operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bushing is introduced as an intermediary component between the pivot pin and the barrel segments. The bushing provides a low-friction interface that reduces direct contact between the door leaf and frame leaf, minimizing noise and wear while allowing the pivot pin to rotate smoothly within the distributed barrel segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a smoother, quieter operation and easier door management by evenly distributing the load and eliminating the need for specialized tools, while minimizing sagging and twisting, and allowing for reversible door configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a self-lubricating bushing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-lubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS7805808B2Reversible door with integral pivot pin

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 MIDMARK CORP

AI summary

A door assembly for pivotally securing a door to an animal enclosure or other enclosure. The door assembly comprises a pivot pin assembly integrally formed with the door and a hinge secured to the enclosure adjacent the opening. The pivot pin assembly preferably comprises a vertically oriented pivot pin integrally formed with upper and lower horizontal support members extending from upper and lower ends of the pivot pin across a portion of the door. The pivot pin is fitted within a hinge barrel formed within the hinge in a manner to permit the pivot pin to rotate within the barrel such that the door may be pivoted from an open to a closed position.