Screw-Free Plastic Board Hinge With Embedded Groove Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge structures for adjacent boards are complex, costly, and require troublesome installation, especially when made of metal, and do not efficiently address the need for a simple and low-cost solution for rotatable connections in plastic board assemblies.
Innovation Solution
An integrated screw-free hinge structure for plastic boards, featuring an embedded groove hinge that divides a board into two turning portions, with inclined surfaces and stopper features for stability, and detachable connections using pins and sockets, eliminating the need for metal components and traditional hinges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal hinge structures are used for connecting adjacent boards, then the connection strength and reliability are improved, but the device complexity, manufacturing cost, and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hinge function directly into the plastic board structure through an embedded groove, merging the hinge component with the board itself. This eliminates separate metal hinge components while maintaining the rotational connection function, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while preserving connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded groove acts as an intermediary structure that enables rotation between adjacent boards without requiring traditional metal hinge components. The groove provides the necessary mechanical interface for rotational movement while being integral to the plastic board, thus achieving reliable connection with simplified structure
2Reliability
If traditional metal hinge structures are used for connecting adjacent boards, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge groove is pre-formed as an integral part of the plastic board during the molding process, rather than requiring separate installation steps. This preliminary action of creating the hinge structure during manufacturing eliminates the need for separate hinge installation, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic board structure itself provides the hinge function through the embedded groove, making the board self-sufficient for rotational connection without requiring external metal hinge components. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate hinge installation procedures, reducing installation time while maintaining reliable connection
3Reliability
If traditional metal hinge structures are used for connecting adjacent boards, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses homogeneous plastic material throughout the board structure, including the embedded hinge groove, eliminating the need for heterogeneous metal hinge components. This homogeneity allows the entire structure to be manufactured using plastic molding processes, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining connection reliability through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge function is merged with the plastic board structure through the embedded groove, eliminating separate metal hinge components. This integration allows the entire assembly to be manufactured using plastic molding processes, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining connection reliability through the unified structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter discloses an integrated hinge structure for plastic boards. The integrated hinge structure has a simplified design that is screw-free and convenient to assemble. It also has a relatively lower manufacturing cost. The integrated hinge structure can comprise a first board and a second board that can be coupled to each other. Furthermore, the first board is divided into a first turning portion and a second turning portion by an embedded groove hinge. The second turning portion is further detachably connected to the second board. The integrated hinge structure further comprises fixation features to render the constructed assembly stable and durable.