Refrigerated Prep Table Lid Hinge for Stable Open Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated food preparation tables lack effective mechanisms for holding lids in partially open and fully open positions, which affects access and protection of food items during preparation and restocking.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple hinges with slots, surfaces, and indentations that engage pins on the lid to securely hold it in partially open and fully open positions, allowing for improved access and protection of food items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged lid is used on a refrigerated food preparation table, then access to food items is improved, but the lid cannot be reliably held in partially open or fully open positions
Solution Approach 1:
A detent mechanism serves as an intermediary between the lid and the table structure, providing intermediate stable positions (partially open and fully open) that bridge the gap between the closed and fully open states. This mechanism includes a detent arm with a cam surface that engages with detent surfaces on the table, allowing the lid to be reliably held at specific angles during food preparation and restocking operations.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is held fully open for access, then food item protection is reduced, but access during preparation and restocking is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The lid system transitions from a static binary state (open/closed) to a dynamic multi-position system with intermediate stable states. The detent mechanism allows the lid to be positioned at different angles depending on the operational need: partially open during food preparation to maintain some protection while allowing access, and fully open during restocking for maximum access. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between protection and access.
3Device complexity
If a simple hinged lid is used, then device complexity is low, but the ability to hold lid in multiple positions is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a detent arm with cam surface, detent surfaces on the table, and spring elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while working together to provide multiple stable positions. The modular nature of the segmented design enables the addition of positional control capabilities without requiring a complete redesign of the entire hinge system, thus managing complexity while increasing versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated food preparation table that includes a food item storage pan with a lid that is allowed to fully close and is held in a partially open position and in a fully open position and hinge brackets or apparatuses for holding a lid in a partially opened position and a fully opened position that include a slot, a surface, and an indentation that each engage pins on the lid. In various embodiments, the slot receives one such pin, the surface guides another pin on the lid as the lid is opened from a fully closed position to the partially opened position, the indentation receives the second pin when the lid is in the partially opened position, and the slot contains the first pin and the second pin when the lid is fully open. The food preparation table can be used to prepare pizza, for example.