Internal Hinge Secured to External Hinge for Swing Out Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional enclosure designs lack efficient mechanisms for adding swing out panels, requiring additional holes and parts to secure and limit the motion of swing out panels, which complicates installation and access to internal components.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates internal hinges secured to external hinges using common fasteners, eliminating the need for extra holes, and includes retainer clips for easy manual operation and self-stop features to prevent undesired panel movement, allowing for easy conversion of enclosures to include swing out panels without compromising structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional enclosure designs are used to add swing out panels, then additional holes and parts are required to secure and limit panel motion, but this complicates installation and reduces structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add swing out panelsVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal hinge is integrated with the external hinge assembly, combining multiple functions into a single unified structure. The internal hinge utilizes the same fastener holes as the external hinge, merging the mounting requirements of both hinges and eliminating the need for separate installation holes in the enclosure wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The external hinge serves dual purposes: it functions as both the external hinge mechanism and the mounting structure for the internal hinge. The same fastener holes accommodate both hinges, making the hinge assembly a multi-functional component that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional enclosure designs are used to add swing out panels, then additional holes and parts are required to secure and limit panel motion, but this requires additional holes in the enclosure wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add swing out panelsVSAvoidnumber of holes in enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If swing out panels are added to enclosures, then access to internal components is improved, but the panel may move undesirably without proper restraint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to internal componentsVSAvoidpanel position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal hinge includes self-stop features that automatically limit the panel's rotation range. The hinge geometry itself provides the stopping mechanism, eliminating the need for separate external stops or restraints. The panel self-regulates its position through the built-in mechanical stops of the hinge assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If swing out panels are added to enclosures, then usable space is increased, but installation requires additional parts and materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable space in enclosureVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240237249A1Hinge System for Swing Out Panel

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 HOFFMAN ENCLOSURES INC

AI summary

An enclosure can include an enclosure body and a door secured by an external hinge. A swing out panel can be secured by an internal hinge. The internal hinge can include a support body and a pivot body that can prevent the inward rotation of the swing out panel. The internal hinge can be secured at the external hinge. A retainer clip can include a mounting portion secured onto a swing out panel and a clip portion to engage a door opening.