Rotary Brake Hinge Using Elastic Compression for Controlled Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking devices for sanitary fixtures are complex, limit rotation to approximately 110°, and often fail, leading to accidental falls and damage, as they do not provide sufficient braking action in the desired direction.
Innovation Solution
A braking device using a simple structure with elastically deformable elements that apply axial compression to slow rotation, employing a ring with expansion regions such as holes or protrusions to radially compress and contrast movement, allowing for increased braking action and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil-operated braking devices are used to brake rotation, then braking action is provided, but the device becomes very complicated from a manufacturing standpoint and is not particularly functional
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex oil-operated braking mechanism, replacing it with a simple elastic element-based braking device. The core braking function is retained through the elastic element's deformation and recovery, while all hydraulic components, oil chambers, and associated complexity are completely removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from hydraulic pressure (oil-operated) to elastic deformation. The elastic element's modulus, geometry, and pre-compression are optimized to provide the required braking torque, transforming the braking mechanism from a complex hydraulic system to a simple elastic mechanical system.
2Reliability
If oil-operated braking devices are used, then some braking is achieved, but rotation is limited to approximately 110° and forcing with consequent breakage is not infrequent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic braking force that automatically adapts to the rotation angle. The elastic element's deformation increases progressively with rotation angle, providing increasing braking torque as the seat descends. This dynamic characteristic allows full rotation without forcing or breakage, while maintaining effective braking throughout the motion range.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is pre-compressed to provide preliminary braking action before rotation begins. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental falls by maintaining constant readiness to brake, while the progressive deformation during rotation ensures the braking force increases appropriately with each degree of rotation, preventing over-rotation and forcing.
3Reliability
If complex braking devices are used, then braking action is provided, but the structure is very complicated and not economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the braking function with the existing rotational support structure. The elastic element is integrated into the hinge assembly, combining the braking function with the mechanical support function. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex braking mechanisms and allows production using commonly commercially available elements and materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex hydraulic braking components with inexpensive elastic elements that can be easily manufactured from common materials. The simple elastic element design allows for cost-effective production while maintaining reliable braking action throughout the product's service life.
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 device effectively increases braking action during the descent of sanitary fixture components, ensuring safety and reliability while being economically viable and easy to manufacture using common materials.
Implementation Method 1
elastically deformable means interacting between the first body and the second body and positioned in a containment region defined by the ring, which comprises expansion regions allowing the elastically deformable means to radially expand and thereby compressing itself in the radial direction when subjected to axial compression
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A braking device (1) which can be interposed between mutually rotatable elements and comprises a first body (2), which rotates rigidly with a first element, and a second body (10), which rotates rigidly with a second element (12) and can engage rotatably the first body (2), the device further comprising means (20, 21, 22) for translational motion in order to impart a translational motion of the second body (10) with respect to the first body upon mutual rotation, elastically deformable means (31) being provided which interact between the first body (2) and the second body (10) in order to contrast the translational motion upon mutual rotation between the bodies, at least in one preset direction.