Self-Closing Hinge with Gas Spring for Refrigerated Rack Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door closure systems in refrigerated racks, which use gas springs for damping, often result in high force requirements to open the door, leading to excessive speed and subsequent damage to hinge elements or the door frame due to inadequate damping of the opening motion.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing hinge design featuring a flat polygon shape with a pin and a ball pin connection for the gas spring, allowing full expansion both when the door is closed and at maximum open position, utilizing a gas spring with end position damping and an articulated joint connection to the door frame and hinge, ensuring controlled opening and closing speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas spring is used to dampen door closure, then the door closing speed is controlled, but the door opening speed becomes excessively high causing damage to hinge elements or door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The door closure system is segmented into two independent hinges: a lower hinge for structural support and an upper self-closing hinge integrating the gas spring. This segmentation allows each hinge to perform its specialized function - the lower hinge provides stable support while the upper hinge controls both opening and closing speeds through the gas spring mechanism, preventing damage to door frame and hinge elements
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring in the upper hinge is configured to provide dynamic control throughout the door's range of motion. The gas spring force varies continuously as the door opens and closes, automatically adjusting to maintain controlled speeds in both directions. This dynamic force adjustment prevents the door from opening too quickly while still allowing easy opening with minimal force
2Ease of operation
If high force is applied to open the door, then the door opens reliably, but the door opening speed becomes excessive causing mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing an upward force that opposes the door's weight during opening. This counterbalancing force reduces the effort needed to open the door while simultaneously controlling the opening speed. The gas spring force is calibrated to match the door weight characteristics, ensuring easy operation without excessive speed that would cause mechanical failure
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring provides dynamically adjusted force throughout the opening motion. At the beginning of opening, the gas spring counterbalances most of the door weight, requiring minimal user force. As the door approaches full opening, the gas spring force naturally adjusts to maintain controlled speed, preventing mechanical failure from excessive velocity while keeping operation easy throughout the entire range
3Device complexity
If the gas spring is mounted traditionally to the door frame, then the structure is simple, but the damping effect is insufficient to prevent high opening speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The upper hinge merges the hinge function with the self-closing mechanism by integrating the gas spring directly into the hinge structure. The ball joint connection between the gas spring and hinge creates a unified component that performs both pivoting and damping functions. This merged design provides sufficient damping to control opening and closing speeds while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of standard ball joint connections
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
This design effectively dampens the opening and closing of the door, reducing the risk of damage and failure by eliminating jerking effects and overloads, allowing the door to open easily and close automatically with minimal force, thereby enhancing the reliability and durability of the door assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a self-closing hinge containing a gas spring characterized in that it consists of a hinge in the shape of a flat polygon
Implementation Method 2
the gas spring being in a fully expanded condition when the door leaf is closed and the door leaf is fully open
Implementation Method 3
a gas spring with end position damping
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The object of the invention is a self-closing hinge (1) especially designed for refrigerated racks and containing a gas spring (2), characterized in that it consists of a hinge (3) in the shape of a flat polygon on one apex of which there is a pin (31) perpendicular to the surface of the hinge (3) and on the other apex there is a ball pin (33), on which a ball socket (21) of one end of the gas spring (2) is movably fixed, while on the opposite side to the second apex of the hinge (3) there is at least one mounting hole (32) intended for fixing the hinge (3) on the door leaf, furthermore the other end of the gas spring (2) is intended to be fixed via the ball socket (21) on the ball pin located on the door frame. The object of the invention is also door assembly, especially of a refrigerated rack, with a self-closing hinge.