Quick mounting hinge and sheet metal cabinet with quick mounting hinge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-assembly hinges for furniture and containers face challenges in simple and stable attachment to thin walls, requiring complex assembly and disassembly processes and often relying on multiple snap elements for secure fixation.
Innovation Solution
A quick-assembly hinge design featuring a single snap element with a spring-loaded snap device and a guide channel, where the snap element is secured by a holding contour and guide link, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by deforming the holding contour, and a second inclined surface for stable hold, reducing assembly effort and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple snap elements are used for secure fixation, then the attachment stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple snap elements into a single integrated snap element (15) that features a U-shaped cross-section with two legs (15a, 15b) extending into the guide channel. This single merged component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate snap elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining attachment stability through the distributed contact points provided by the U-shaped geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap element is segmented into functional zones: two legs (15a, 15b) that contact opposite edges of the opening, a bridge portion connecting the legs, and a holding contour (26) for secure mounting. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving reliable fixation with a single component rather than multiple discrete elements.
2Ease of operation
If a simple snap fastening system is used, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the attachment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The snap element incorporates a spring element (30) that provides dynamic behavior, allowing the snap element to flex and adapt during assembly and disassembly operations. This dynamic capability enables simple push-through assembly while maintaining stable attachment through the spring force that keeps the legs pressed against the opening edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process utilizes periodic action through the spring-loaded mechanism: during assembly, the spring compresses as the snap element is pushed through the opening, then releases to lock the element in place. During disassembly, the holding contour is deformed to release the lock, and the spring again compresses as the element is pulled out. This periodic compression and release enables simple reversible assembly while maintaining stable attachment.
3Reliability
If the holding contour is made rigid for stable holding, then the attachment stability is improved, but the ease of disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding contour (26) utilizes parameter changes in material deformation: during normal operation, the contour maintains a rigid locked position against the opening edge for stable holding. During disassembly, the contour is temporarily deformed beyond its elastic limit to release the lock, then returns to its original shape. This controlled parameter change enables both stable holding and easy disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a receiving opening (27) that provides a predetermined path for deforming the holding contour during disassembly. This preliminary preparation of the disassembly path allows the holding contour to be easily deformed and released without requiring complex tools or procedures, while maintaining rigid stable holding during normal operation.
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 design enables a quick, cost-effective, and stable attachment to thin walls with reduced assembly effort, using only one snap element for fixation, and ensures secure holding and easy removal, enhancing the robustness and simplicity of the hinge.
Implementation Method 1
The snap device has a spring-loaded snap element and the plug-in section has a guide channel which is designed and/or suitable for receiving the snap element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention is based on the objective of creating a quick-mount hinge characterized by a particularly simple and robust design. For this purpose, a quick-mount hinge 1 is proposed comprising a first and a second hinge component 2, 3, wherein the two hinge components 2, 3 are pivotably connected to each other via a pivot joint 4, wherein the first hinge component 2 has a first contact section 9 with a first contact surface 10 for contact with a flat first mounting wall 22 and a plug-in section 13 adjoining the first contact section 9 for insertion through a first opening 24 arranged in the first mounting wall 22, wherein the first hinge component 2 has a snap-in device 14 for securing the plug-in section 13 in the first opening 24.wherein the snap device 14 has a spring-loaded snap element 15 and the plug-in section 13 has a guide channel 16 for receiving the snap element 15, wherein the snap element 15 is axially displaceable in the guide channel 16 in a displacement direction VR and wherein the snap element 15 has a first inclined surface 19 for support against a first edge 24a of the first opening 24, wherein the plug-in section 13 has a second inclined surface 21 for support against a second edge 24b of the first opening 24 opposite the first edge 24a.