Oscillating Hinge Device for Heavy Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge systems for very heavy doors, particularly in hostile environments like nuclear power stations, experience significant friction and seizure issues during opening and closing, leading to increased pivoting force requirements and inadequate resistance during earthquakes, which are not met by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with oscillating mounting that uses a combination of spherical roller bearings and ball-and-socket bearings to allow angular offset between the fixed and movable hinge parts, reducing parasitic friction and enhancing resistance to seismic movements, while supporting heavy loads with adjustable spacers and axial locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixed hinge systems are used for very heavy doors, then the door can be supported and guided, but bending of the fixed frame causes offset movement of hinges generating significant friction and seizure
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is designed with oscillating mounting capability, allowing the hinge assembly to dynamically adjust its position relative to the door leaf. The lower hinge can oscillate within a defined angular range, enabling the hinge axis to self-correct during door operation and maintain proper alignment, thereby preventing friction and seizure while reducing pivoting force requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fixed parameter of the hinge mounting to a variable parameter by introducing oscillating capability. The hinge mounting angle and position can now vary within specific limits, allowing the system to adapt to frame bending and maintain optimal operating conditions, thus resolving the friction and seizure problems
2Ease of operation
If high-power motorizations are used to overcome friction from off-axis state, then the door can be opened and closed, but this increases manufacturing costs and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system performs self-alignment and self-correction through its oscillating capability. When the door experiences off-axis conditions or frame bending, the hinge automatically adjusts its position to maintain proper alignment, eliminating the need for high-power motorizations to correct alignment issues, thus reducing both power consumption and operational complexity
3Reliability
If conventional hinge devices are used in nuclear power stations, then the door can be equipped with basic hinge function, but the door cannot resist earthquakes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating mounting design allows the hinge to dynamically respond to seismic movements. During earthquakes, the hinge can oscillate and absorb shock loads, distributing forces more effectively and maintaining door stability under extreme conditions, thereby providing earthquake resistance while maintaining basic hinge functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system is designed with inherent shock-absorbing capability through its oscillating mechanism. This allows the hinge to cushion and dissipate earthquake-induced shock loads before they can cause damage to the door or mounting structure, providing protective function against seismic events
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 effectively reduces friction and maintains door stability during opening and closing with limited power motorization, ensuring compliance with demanding safety standards, including resistance to earthquakes, for very heavy doors in hostile environments.
Implementation Method 1
the rotational guidance of the movable hinge part relative to the fixed hinge part around the pivot axis of each lower hinge is achieved by interposing a superposition of a spherical roller bearing intended to support mainly radial loads and a spherical roller thrust bearing intended mainly to support axial loads
Implementation Method 2
this by the interposition of rolling means capable of allowing an angular defect in the coaxiality of the fixed hinge part with respect to the movable hinge part
Implementation Method 3
the rotational guidance of the movable hinge part relative to the fixed hinge part around the pivot axis of each upper hinge is achieved by interposing a superposition of at least one ball-and-socket bearing on rollers intended mainly to support radial loads
Implementation Method 4
a plain bearing forming a pivot connection and preserving clearance between said lower pivot pin and the internal sliding surface of said plain bearing allowing the angular offset of said lower pivot axis within the angular limits imposed by said ball joint bearing and said ball joint stop
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pivoting hinge device for equipping a very heavy door consisting of at least one leaf or sash mounted pivoting on a frame, comprising at least one lower hinge (4) intended in particular to support at least the bulk of the load of the leaf of said door and at least one upper hinge intended in particular to form an anti-tipping support point and axial guide for said leaf, each said lower hinge (4), respectively upper, on the one hand, being constituted by a fixed hinge portion (6) integral with the frame and by a movable hinge portion (8), respectively, integral with the leaf and, on the other hand, comprising a pivot axis (10) integral with said frame or, where applicable, with the leaf, allowing the rotational guidance of the movable hinge portion (8) relative to the fixed hinge portion (6) around said pivot axis (10),this is achieved by interposing rolling means (12, 14) capable of permitting an angular coaxiality defect (a) of the fixed hinge part (6) with respect to the movable hinge part (8) of each said lower hinge (4) and/or upper hinge.