Partition Wall Hinge Assembly With Prestressed Clamping Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinge systems for partition walls, particularly shower partitions, require frequent replacement due to design changes, leading to high manufacturing and storage costs, and lack a reliable and permanent connection mechanism that is easy to adapt and modify.

Innovation Solution

A hinge system with connecting bodies that clamp hinge parts onto separating elements under prestress, using design elements that are functional and non-rotatable, allowing for easy adaptation and modification without changing the hinge parts themselves, featuring different types of connecting bodies for various designs and surface configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hinges are replaced altogether when design changes are needed, then the partition design can be updated, but manufacturing and storage costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system is divided into two independent segments: hinge parts that remain unchanged and connecting bodies that can be replaced. This segmentation allows only the connecting bodies to be manufactured in different designs, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining design adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge parts are designed as universal components that can work with multiple types of connecting bodies. This multi-functionality allows a single hinge part design to support various partition styles, reducing the need to manufacture entirely new hinge assemblies for each design change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hinges are replaced altogether when design changes are needed, then the partition design can be updated, but storage costs increase for keeping old hinges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign adaptabilityVSAvoidstorage requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the hinge system into reusable hinge parts and replaceable connecting bodies, the quantity of components that need storage is reduced. Only the connecting bodies need to be stored in various designs, while hinge parts can be kept in stock as universal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If design elements are reversibly pushed or slid onto hinge parts, then subsequent replacement and redesign is enabled, but the design elements may become detached and lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement capabilityVSAvoidfixing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting bodies are pre-designed with integrated connection mechanisms that automatically engage with the hinge parts during assembly. This preliminary design ensures that no additional special measures are needed during installation, and the connection remains secure throughout use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional modules are connected to hinge parts with multiple fastening methods, then design versatility is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular versatilityVSAvoidcomponent complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting bodies merge multiple functions into a single component: they provide the interface for attaching additional modules, serve as the connection element to hinge parts, and offer design customization. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1743997B1Hinge system for partition walls
Publication Date: 2011.10.12 ALTURA LEIDEN HLDG BV
  • EP1743997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1743997B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1743997B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

Hinge system have two types of differently formed connecting bodies (36). The connecting body, preferentially of the same type, is arranged in the area of the respective outer surface of the two hinged parts (8,10). The connecting body in its inside area has a contour adapted to the hinged parts. The connecting body has a hole (40) with internal threads and engages with the connecting element (42), in the blind hole, from the other side. The connecting body engages with the connecting element in such a manner that the hinge parts, prestressed with respect to the attached partition element (4,6), can be fixed under prestress. An independent claim is also included for the hinge.