Integrated Hinge Structure with Directional Coupling for Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinge structures require time-consuming assembly and adjustment due to the need for precise alignment and fixation with screws, leading to difficulties in opening and closing due to friction, and are labor-intensive for disassembly.

Innovation Solution

An integrated hinge structure with a hinge shaft on one connecting member and a hinge arm on another, featuring a coupling structure that allows the hinge arm to be installed or detached in a specific direction and rotate freely, eliminating the need for screws and simplifying assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hinge structures use screws to fix blades on connecting boards, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge structure is segmented into a hinge shaft with cutting faces and a hinge arm with embracing arms, allowing the connection to be divided into discrete engagement points that can be quickly assembled without screws

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting faces are pre-formed on the hinge shaft and the embracing arms are pre-shaped on the hinge arm, enabling quick engagement without requiring alignment adjustments or additional fastening operations during assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If traditional hinge structures allow free adjustment of blade positions, then alignment can be optimized, but the adjustment process requires disassembly and retightening which is labor-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting faces and embracing arms are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide built-in alignment guidance, ensuring proper positioning is achieved automatically during a single assembly operation without requiring iterative adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Strength

If traditional hinge structures use multiple screws for fixation, then the structural strength is maintained, but the number of parts increases making assembly more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge shaft and hinge arm are merged into a single integrated coupling structure where the cutting faces and embracing arms work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate screws and reducing the total part count while maintaining connection strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10260262B2Integrated hinge structure

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 SUNCAST TECH

AI summary

An integrated hinge structure is disclosed herein, comprising a hinge shaft provided on a first connecting member and a hinge arm provided on a second connecting member, the hinge arm being rotatably connected to the hinge shaft, wherein a coupling structure is formed between the hinge shaft and the hinge arm, the coupling structure allowing the hinge arm only to be installed to or detached from the hinge shaft in a certain direction and allowing the installed hinge arm to rotate for any angle or freely while staying connected to the hinge shaft. Furthermore, the hinge shaft and the hinge arm are respectively formed integrally on the corresponding connecting members, providing a simple and firm structure.