Pinch-Relief Hinge Assembly With Directional Torque Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Children's products with hinged structures often pose a risk of pinching due to the lack of effective pinch-relief mechanisms, which can lead to injury or damage to the product when a child's finger or other obstruction is caught, and existing solutions may require the hinge or product to break to prevent pinching.
Innovation Solution
A hinged assembly with a base member and a hinged member that are operatively coupled to define a hinge, configured to release if an obstruction is present between them during closure, with a release torque that prevents pinching without causing damage to the product, and maintains engagement during opening, ensuring the hinge can be repeatedly engaged and disengaged without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hinged structure is made rigid to prevent breakage, then the strength and durability are improved, but the ability to prevent pinching is worsened because the hinge cannot release when an obstruction is present
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its state. The hinge is designed to be rigid during normal operation (when no obstruction is present) but can dynamically release when a specific condition is detected (obstruction during closing). This is achieved through the asymmetric engagement mechanism where the hinged member can disengage from the base member when closing torque is applied with an obstruction present, but remains engaged during opening movements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hinge is designed to release easily when obstruction is present, then the pinching prevention is improved, but the reliability of the hinge engagement is worsened because the hinge may release unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge design incorporates preliminary anti-action by creating an asymmetric engagement mechanism that prevents release during opening movements while allowing release during closing movements when obstruction is present. The geometry of the hinged member and base member is specifically designed so that the engagement surfaces are configured to resist disengagement in one direction (opening) but facilitate controlled disengagement in the other direction (closing with obstruction). This preliminary design feature ensures that the hinge will not accidentally release during normal opening operations while still providing pinch protection during closing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hinge structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide directional release functionality is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into distinct functional components: a base member with engagement surfaces and a hinged member with corresponding engagement surfaces and a pivot axis. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled together to create the directional release functionality. The separation of the pivot axis from the engagement surfaces enables the asymmetric geometry to be achieved through simple component design rather than complex monolithic structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement surfaces of the base member and hinged member are designed with asymmetric geometry. The surfaces are configured such that they naturally resist disengagement forces applied during opening movements but facilitate controlled disengagement when closing forces are applied with an obstruction present. This asymmetric design achieves the directional release capability through the geometry of the engagement surfaces themselves, rather than requiring additional complex mechanical components or control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Hinged assemblies, and children's products including at least one hinged assembly, include a base member and a hinged member operatively and pivotally coupled to the base member to define a hinge. The hinge is configured to release if an obstruction is positioned between the hinged member and the base member while the hinged member is being closed and if a closing torque is greater than or equal to a release torque. The hinge also may be configured to not release when an opening torque is applied when the hinged member is in its open position even when the opening torque is greater than the release torque.