Motorized Hinge With Decoupled Drive for Manual Door Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for connecting doors to household appliance compartments, such as ovens, require bulky and expensive motors for motorized operation, leading to high energy consumption and potential malfunctions that can lock the door in place during electric current absence, causing cooking delays or food damage.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring an activating arm with elastic countering means and reversible connecting mechanisms, allowing the electric motor to be decoupled for manual operation, reducing motor size and energy consumption, and enabling door movement without motor assistance when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motorized hinge uses a bulky electric motor to fully move the door autonomously between open and closed positions, then the door can be opened and closed automatically, but the motor size and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system uses the electric motor only for the critical partial action of overcoming static friction and elastic resistance to initiate door movement, rather than powering the entire opening/closing cycle. The elastic means provide the remaining force needed to complete the door movement once initiated, significantly reducing motor size and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means act as an intermediary between the motor and the door, storing and releasing mechanical energy to assist the motor during door operation. This intermediary mechanism allows the motor to be smaller since it doesn't need to provide continuous high force throughout the entire door movement range.
2Power
If a motorized hinge uses a bulky electric motor to counteract elastic means force, then the door can be moved autonomously, but the motor becomes larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is sized to provide only the partial power needed to overcome static friction and initiate door movement against the elastic means, rather than being oversized to handle the full range of motion independently. The elastic means supplement the motor's power output during the movement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means serve as a mechanical intermediary that stores energy during door closing and releases it during door opening, reducing the peak power requirements of the motor and allowing for a more compact motor design while maintaining full door movement capability.
3Extent of automation
If a motorized hinge relies on electric motor for door operation, then automated control is achieved, but the door becomes locked in place during electric current absence or motor malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means are pre-loaded during normal operation to store mechanical energy, creating a self-service mechanism that can drive the door open or closed without external power assistance. This passive mechanical system ensures door accessibility during power failures or motor malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means are pre-charged with potential energy during normal hinge operation, providing a backup mechanism before power failure occurs. This beforehand energy storage ensures that the door can still be moved even when the electric motor becomes unavailable.
4Force
If a motorized hinge uses elastic means to lead the door towards closed position, then door closing force is provided, but the motor must be oversized to counteract this force during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means act as a force intermediary that accumulates energy during door opening and releases it during door closing. This allows the motor to operate at lower power levels since it doesn't need to directly overcome the full closing force, as the elastic means provide this force passively during the return stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor provides force only for the partial action of overcoming static friction and initiating door movement, while the elastic means provide the excessive force needed for complete door opening and closing. This division of labor reduces the motor's power requirements significantly.
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 compact, energy-efficient motorized hinge that allows user-controlled door movement, ensuring functionality even without electric power, thus preventing cooking delays and food damage.
Implementation Method 1
elastic countering means functionally interposed between the fastening bracket and the activating arm... provide an elastic countering force adapted to lead the activating arm towards the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge (1) for connecting a door to a household appliance compartment is described, comprising a fastening bracket (2) adapted to be fastened to the compartment of said household appliance, a movable support (3) to rotatably constrain said door to said fastening bracket (2), an activating arm (5) coupled to said fastening bracket (2), movement means (6) adapted to move said activating arm (5), said activating arm (5) comprising a first end portion (5a) adapted to be constrained to said door, and a second end portion (5b) fitted to be coupled to said movement means (6) to move said activating arm (5) between an open position (P2) of the door and a closed position (P1) of the door, said movement means (6) comprising an electric motor (10) and reversible connecting means (9) to couple and decouple selectively said electric motor (10) and said second end portion (5b), said hinge (1) being configured so that when said electric motor (10) is coupled to said second end portion (5b), the electric motor (10) causes the movement of the activating arm (5), whereas when said electric motor (10) is decoupled from said second end portion (5b), the movement of the first end portion (5a) occurs independently of the electric motor (10) to allow a user to freely move the door.