Parabolic Ring Gear Hinge for Compact Door Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door hinges for windows and doors face issues with kinematics requiring large installation space and instability due to exposure to forces when closed, leading to a need for improved designs that can stably absorb large forces and allow for efficient opening movements with a smaller width.

Innovation Solution

A hinge design featuring a parabolic or elliptical ring gear at the connecting end of the hinge bracket, which aligns perpendicularly to the toothed running surface, allowing for a defined stop position and progressive translational adjustment with increasing rotation, along with a compact design and noise-damping materials, ensuring stability and reduced wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a circular ring gear is used in the hinge bracket, then the hinge allows for smooth rotational movement, but the receiving body requires a large width to accommodate the kinematics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational movementVSAvoidwidth of receiving body
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by changing the ring gear from a circular shape to an elliptical shape. The elliptical ring gear has different radii of curvature in different directions, which modifies the kinematic path of the hinge bracket. This curved geometric transformation allows the hinge to achieve the required rotational movement while reducing the lateral space needed in the receiving body, directly resolving the contradiction between smooth rotation and compact width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If the hinge bracket is exposed to forces when the hinge is closed, then the hinge structure is simplified, but the hinge closure state becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehinge structureVSAvoidhinge closure state
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the force-bearing function from the hinge bracket by introducing a separate stop element. The stop element is positioned to contact the hinge bracket when the hinge is in the closed position, effectively taking out the force absorption function from the main hinge bracket structure. This allows the hinge bracket to remain simple while the stop element provides the necessary stability and force resistance, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and closure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the ring gear has a constant ratio kinematics, then the rotational and linear movements are consistent, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinematic ratio consistencyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The elliptical ring gear introduces variable kinematic ratios through its curved geometry. As the hinge bracket rotates, the distance from the rotation center to the toothed running surface varies continuously due to the elliptical shape. This variable curvature allows the hinge to achieve both rotational and linear movements with changing ratios, optimizing the space utilization in the receiving body while maintaining precise control over the door leaf movement throughout the opening sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enables the hinge to stably absorb large forces, provide a compact installation space, and minimize wear and noise, allowing for a wider opening angle while maintaining structural stability and reducing exposure to forces during closure.

Implementation Method 1

the hinge bracket having a connecting end with a toothed ring, which, during a pivoting movement of the hinge bracket about its joint axis between a strap closing position and a strap opening position, rolls on a toothed running surface arranged on the inside of the holding body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

The ring gear consists of a noise-damping material, preferably plastic. A suitable combination of materials between the material of the ring gear and the toothed running surface arranged on the inside of the receiving body can ensure low wear and low rolling noise when opening and closing the door hinge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNoise damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3173557B1Hinge for doors or windows
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 SIMONSWERK GMBH
  • EP3173557B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3173557B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3173557B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

The invention relates to a hinge for doors or windows comprising a receiving body 1 and a hinge arm 2, which is rotatably mounted within the receiving body 1 about a pivot axis 3, wherein the pivot axis 3 is slidably guided in the receiving body 1 along a guide track 4, and wherein the hinge arm 2 has a connecting end with a toothed ring 5 which, during a pivoting movement of the hinge arm 2 about its pivot axis 3 between a hinge-closed position and a hinge-open position, rolls on a toothed running surface 6 arranged on the inside of the receiving body 1. According to the invention, the hinge arm 2 has a stop surface 7 which, in the hinge-closed position, rests against a bottom surface 8 of the receiving body 1.The toothed ring 5 at the connecting end of the hinge bracket 2 has the shape of a parabola or a section of an ellipse, the long semi-axis of which is aligned perpendicular to the toothed running surface 6 on the inside of the receiving body 1 in the hinge closing position.