Playless hinge system with releasable hinge pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hinges suffer from periodic motion, vibrations, and abrasive wear, especially under heavy axial loads, leading to sagging and maintenance issues, particularly in bookcases and similar applications.
Innovation Solution
The hinge system incorporates bearings with smooth outer surfaces and adjustable mounting apertures to reduce periodic motion and abrasive wear, featuring a releasable hinge pin with a spring-loaded button and retractable latch pins, allowing for flexible mounting and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hinges with threaded outer surfaces are used to connect door and jamb, then the hinge can be easily manufactured and assembled, but the hinge develops periodic motion, vibrations, and abrasive wear under heavy axial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional threaded mechanical connection with a bearing-based rotational mechanism. The bearing allows the hinge to rotate smoothly on a fixed axis while supporting axial loads, eliminating the periodic motion and vibrations associated with threaded connections. The smooth bore of the bearing provides a consistent rotational surface that prevents abrasive wear.
2Force
If heavy axial loads are supported by traditional hinges, then the hinge can support bookcase doors with books, but the hinge sags and deforms over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bearing as an intermediary component between the hinge arm and the pin. The bearing's smooth bore acts as a mediator that distributes the axial load evenly across its surface, preventing the hinge from sagging and deforming. The bearing maintains the structural integrity of the hinge while supporting heavy loads such as bookcase doors with books.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinges are used without adjustable mounting, then the hinge structure is simple, but the hinge cannot accommodate installation variations and experiences increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable mounting features that allow the hinge to be dynamically positioned during installation. The mounting apertures can be positioned at multiple locations, enabling the hinge to accommodate variations in door and jamb dimensions. This adjustability reduces stress on the hinge by allowing optimal positioning, while adding only minimal complexity to the overall structure.
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 effectively minimizes sagging, vibrations, and maintenance problems by providing a stable and cost-effective hinge system that can support heavy loads, such as those found in bookcases, while maintaining smooth pivoting motion.
Implementation Method 1
a depressible, spring-loaded button protruding upwardly from a proximal top end of the hinge pin, the depressible, spring-loaded button adapted to retract two latch pins protruding laterally from a cylindrical body of the hinge pin
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly suppressing periodic motions and abrasive wear that supports an axial load and integrated a releasable hinge pin with retractable latch pins. The connector arms for the hinge assembly may include bearings, smooth outer surfaces, and tight fittings to help suppress the periodic motions and abrasive wear. Adjustable mounting apertures reduce stress on the hinge system. A hinge aperture for each member enables an axial load arm, such as thrust bearings, to pass through for reducing periodic movements during pivotal operation. A lock arm can also pass through the hinge apertures. The lock arm uses a locking pin to fasten the members together. A smooth outer surface inhibits abrasive wear and creates a smooth pivoting motion. Non-circular mounting apertures may enable adjustable mounting for reducing stress on the system.