Pivotable Bracket Constant Friction Hinge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivotable brackets with friction hinges lack the ability to set a constant moment of friction, as the frictional force required for adjustment is dependent on screw prestress and can only be changed in coarse increments.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable bracket design featuring a cylindrical pin with a contact surface and a bearing bush having friction surfaces at right angles, along with a tensioning device using spring-loaded thrust washers and friction disks to set and maintain a reproducible constant moment of friction, allowing for adjustable torque through a handwheel mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screw is used to fasten hinge half shells, then the hinge can be fixed or adjusted to new positions, but the frictional force can only be changed in coarse increments and cannot be set to a constant value
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter control mechanism from discrete screw prestress adjustments to continuous friction surface pressure control. By using a friction element that can be pressed against the friction surface with adjustable force, the moment of friction can be precisely set to any desired value within a range, rather than being limited to coarse increments determined by screw pitch and preload characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a friction element as an intermediary component between the bearing bush and the pin. This friction element acts as a mediator that converts simple linear pressing force into a controllable moment of friction through its friction surface interaction with the pin, enabling precise control of the friction characteristic without directly modifying the hinge structure.
2Reliability
If frictional force is increased for stable positioning, then the hinge remains fixed better, but the moment required for adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic friction control system where the friction moment can be adjusted according to different operational requirements. The friction element can be pressed with varying forces to achieve different levels of friction, allowing the system to adapt between requiring high stability (higher friction) and easy adjustability (lower friction) based on the specific application needs.
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
Enables a consistent and adjustable frictional force during rotation, ensuring a constant moment of friction is maintained over time, even with prolonged use, and allows for individual adaptation without tools.
Implementation Method 1
the frictional force to be overcome for the adjustment is generated predominantly via friction surfaces directed at right angles to the central axis
Implementation Method 2
The other friction surface lying on the upper side of the hinge part is braced with the upper side of the pin via a spring-loaded thrust washer
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotable bracket is provided such that a constant moment of friction is present at the hinge (4). A first hinge part (5) is provided, which has a cylindrical pin (6) and a contact surface (11). A second hinge part (12) is provided, which has a bearing bush (13), which can be pushed over the pin (6), with two friction surfaces (15, 16) directed at right angles to the central axis (14). The second hinge part (12) is braced against the contact surface (11) by means of a tensioning device (7, 19, 20, 21, 22) arranged on the upper side of the pin (6).