Integrated Hinge Damping Cylinder Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for controlled rotatable movement of doors and shutters are costly, difficult to assemble, and experience wear over time, with complex designs and multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective hinge design featuring a box-shaped hinge body with integrated hydraulic damping cylinder and cam mechanisms, utilizing a minimal number of components and interface elements to reduce wear, with adjustable opening and closing speeds through a check valve system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing hinge designs with multiple components are used, then damping function is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the damping cylinder, cam mechanisms, and hinge body into a single unified structure. The damping cylinder is formed as an integral part of the hinge body, eliminating the need for separate damping components and reducing assembly steps while maintaining the damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the damping mechanism, and incorporates cam mechanisms for controlled movement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while achieving both damping and positioning functions.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used in hinge design, then damping function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the damping cylinder, cam mechanisms, and hinge body into a single integrated component, the patent reduces manufacturing costs associated with multiple parts, fasteners, and assembly operations while preserving the damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated hinge design uses simpler, more cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes compared to complex multi-component designs, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining functional reliability.
3Reliability
If complex hinge designs with multiple components are used, then damping function is achieved, but duration over time decreases due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design eliminates interfaces and connection points between multiple components, reducing wear locations. The cam mechanisms are formed as integral parts of the hinge body, eliminating wear between separate mating surfaces and extending the service life of the hinge.
4Ease of manufacture
If minimal components are used, then assembly is simplified, but wear at contact points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface treatments or material properties to specific contact areas of the cam mechanisms to reduce wear, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the integrated design. This allows minimal components to be used without compromising wear resistance at critical contact points.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces wear, and enhances durability, while maintaining compact dimensions and ease of maintenance, with all hydraulic components contained within the damping cylinder to prevent fluid exposure and oxidation.
Implementation Method 1
damping means acting on the plunger to slow the movement to close and/or closing it
Implementation Method 2
adjustable opening and closing speeds through a check valve system
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~3E
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
A hinge for the controlled rotatable movement of a closing element anchored to a stationary support structure. The hinge comprises a pivot (20), a hinge body (10) and at least one hydraulic damping cylinder (30). The pivot (20) defines a first axis (X) anchorable to one of the closing element and the stationary supporting structure and it comprises cam means (21); The hinge body(10) anchorable to the other of the at least one closing element and the stationary supporting structure; the hinge body (10) and the pivot (20) are rotatably coupled to rotate one with respect to the other around the first axis (X). The hydraulic damping cylinder (30) comprises a jacket (31) and plunger element (32). The jacket (31) defines a second axis (Y) which includes a working fluid and it is divided into a first and a second variable volume compartment (31',31") placed in fluid communication with each other. The plunger element (32) comprises a first and a second end (32',32") respectively inserted into the first and second variable volume compartment (31',31") to slide sealingly integrally joined in the jacket (31). Furthermore, the hinge body (10) comprises a working chamber (11) defining a third axis (Y1) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (X) comprising elastic counteracting means (12).