Plastic Door Hinge with Integrated Threaded Spindle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hinges for plastic doors and windows fail to provide a visually appealing and compact solution for lateral and vertical adjustments, as they require separate visible mounting blocks that impair the design and do not efficiently utilize the hollow profiles of the frame and leaf.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with two pivotally connected parts and a connection device featuring threaded spindles that are rotatably and vertically/horizontally displaceable, integrated within a one-piece cast metal housing, allowing for flush installation and precise adjustment of the door or window sash, with a retaining strip supported by both the frame and housing surfaces, enabling compact screw-on parts and adjustable pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate visible mounting block is used for lateral adjustment, then adjustment functionality is provided, but the visual design is impaired and the installation is not compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral adjustment functionalityVSAvoidvisual appearance and compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lateral adjustment mechanism with the hinge structure by integrating the mounting block into the hinge assembly itself. The connection device with threaded spindles is incorporated within the hinge housing, allowing lateral adjustment without requiring a separate visible mounting block on the door leaf. This integration maintains the adjustment functionality while achieving a compact, flush installation that preserves the visual design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies nesting by placing the adjustment mechanism components (threaded spindles, holding strip, connection device) inside the hinge housing. The mounting block is nested within the hinge structure rather than being externally attached, creating a compact assembly where the adjustment functionality is contained within the existing hinge envelope, thus achieving flush installation without visible protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the hinge, then space is saved and visual appearance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidhinge structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the hinge housing to serve multiple purposes: it provides structural support for the hinge parts, contains the lateral adjustment mechanism through the connection device, and offers mounting interfaces for both the door leaf and frame. The threaded spindles and holding strip are integrated into the hinge structure, allowing the same component to perform both structural and adjustment functions, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated adjustment mechanisms.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the adjustment mechanism into distinct functional components: threaded spindles for lateral movement, a holding strip for securing the connection, and a connection device for attaching to the hinge part. These segmented components are then assembled within the hinge housing, allowing for manageable complexity in the integration process while achieving compact space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If threaded spindles are made longer to enable horizontal displacement, then adjustment range is increased, but the housing internal dimensions must be larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidhousing internal volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the threaded spindles rotatable and displaceable within the housing, allowing horizontal movement through rotation rather than requiring the spindles to be extremely long. The spindles can be rotated to move the connection device horizontally, and their length is optimized to rest on the inner surfaces of the housing while still providing sufficient adjustment range. This dynamic mechanism achieves increased adjustment range without proportionally increasing the housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for precise lateral and vertical adjustments of the door or window sash while maintaining a flush and visually appealing installation, ensuring secure attachment and adjustable pressure without visible mounting blocks, enhancing the aesthetic and functional performance.

Implementation Method 1

The connection device has one to two threaded spindles (10) guided and detachably connected to a hinge tab (12) of the hinge part (5, 6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

In the installed state, the retaining strip (11) rests against a front surface (16) of the housing (8) at least above and below a strap receiving slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction and normal force: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2369107B1Hinge, in particular for plastic doors and plastic windows
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 SIMONSWERK GMBH
  • EP2369107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2369107B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2369107B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hinge, particularly for plastic doors and windows, with two hinge parts (5, 6) connected by a pivot joint and a hinge receiving element (7), which has a housing (8) for mounting on a door or window frame and a connecting device (9) for a hinge part that can be mounted through a rear opening (13) in the housing. The connecting device (9) has a retaining strip (11) guided on two threaded spindles (10) and detachably connected to a hinge leaf (12) of the hinge part (5). The threaded spindles (10) of the connecting device (9) rest against inner surfaces (15) of the housing (8) at their end faces (14) so ​​as to be rotatable and vertically and horizontally displaceable. - Fig. 2