Sensor-Equipped Hinge Monitoring for Early Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hinge systems lack reliable monitoring and inspection mechanisms, leading to delayed detection of defects or failures, resulting in unnecessary repairs and inefficiencies due to variations in installed environments and inspection techniques among users and inspectors.
Innovation Solution
A hinge equipped with sensors (rotational speed, vibration, load, angle, temperature, and atmospheric pressure sensors) that transmit environmental changes through a communication network to a control unit, which determines if the changes exceed predetermined thresholds and alerts external personnel, allowing for timely and efficient repair and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic inspection work is conducted to monitor hinge state, then the hinge state can be grasped, but it is already too late or large-scale repair is required when defect or failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring through sensors that detect hinge state parameters (rotation angle, temperature, vibration, load) and transmit data to a control unit. The control unit compares real-time data against threshold values and provides immediate feedback when abnormalities are detected, enabling timely maintenance before failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of potential failures by continuously monitoring hinge parameters and comparing them against predetermined thresholds. By detecting early signs of deterioration before actual failure occurs, the system enables preventive maintenance actions to be taken in advance, avoiding the need for reactive repairs after breakdown.
2Reliability
If periodic inspection work is conducted to monitor hinge state, then the hinge state can be grasped, but unnecessary repair work is conducted when repair is not required
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives continuous feedback from sensors and only triggers maintenance alerts when measured parameters exceed predetermined thresholds. This threshold-based feedback mechanism ensures that maintenance actions are taken only when actually needed, eliminating unnecessary repairs while maintaining reliable monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in physical parameters (temperature, vibration, load, rotation angle) and compares them against threshold values. By focusing on parameter changes rather than fixed schedules, the system accurately identifies when maintenance is truly needed, improving both reliability and efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to monitor hinge environment changes, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to handle multiple sensor types (rotation angle sensors, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, load sensors) through a unified processing architecture. This multi-functional control unit reduces overall system complexity by providing a single point of data integration and threshold comparison, despite the presence of multiple specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple physical parameters simultaneously (temperature, vibration, load, rotation angle) to comprehensively assess hinge state. By measuring several parameters in parallel rather than one parameter over time, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex sequential analysis, simplifying the control logic.
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 solution enables more reliable prevention of defects and failures, facilitating efficient repair and inspection work by providing real-time monitoring and reducing the likelihood of unnecessary repairs through remote monitoring and threshold-based alerts.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of the second wing member with respect to the first wing member
Implementation Method 2
a vibration sensor that detects an amount of vibration
Implementation Method 3
a load sensor that detects a load
Implementation Method 4
an angle sensor that detects an opening angle of the second wing member with respect to the first wing member
Implementation Method 5
a temperature sensor that detects a temperature
Implementation Method 6
an atmospheric pressure sensor that detects atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge is provided which can more reliably prevent malfunction and breakdown and which enables efficiently performing repair and inspection operations. The hinge, provided with a first wing member linked to a first linked object and a second wing member linked to a second linked object, and rotatably linking the second linked object to the first linked object, is provided with a sensor which detects prescribed change in the external environment in the hinge or around the hinge, and a control unit which externally transmits, over a communication network, information on the change in the external environment detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured from at least one of: a rotation speed sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the second wing member relative to the first wing member; a vibration sensor for detecting the amount of vibration; a load sensor for detecting load; an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the second wing member relative to the first wing member; a temperature sensor for detecting temperature; and an air pressure sensor for detecting atmospheric pressure.