Shower Door Hinge Limiter for Fixture Impact Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower door hinge mechanisms do not provide a means to selectively limit the range of motion to prevent impact with objects within or outside the shower, such as a shower head or towel bar.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with a back plate, hinge block, and clamp, featuring adjustable hinge limiters that can be attached to the exterior surfaces of the hinge block to restrict the pivotal range of the door, allowing for customizable adjustment of the door's rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a glass shower door uses a hinged mechanism with full range of motion, then the door can open freely in either direction, but it may impact objects within or outside the shower such as a shower head or towel bar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the range of motion parameter of the hinge mechanism. Hinge limiters are positioned at specific distances from the hinge axis to restrict the door's rotation angle. By adjusting the position of these limiters, the maximum opening angle can be changed, allowing the door to stop before impacting shower fixtures while maintaining operational freedom within the limited range.
2Device complexity
If prior art hinge mechanisms are used without range limitation, then the door structure remains simple, but there is no mechanism to selectively limit the range of motion to prevent impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a hinge system that performs multiple functions: the basic hinge mechanism allows door rotation, while the added hinge limiters provide range restriction. The same hinge structure can accommodate different limiter positions or configurations to achieve various opening angles, making it adaptable to different shower layouts and fixture arrangements without requiring completely different hinge designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into functional components: the hinge block, the clamp, and the separate hinge limiters. This segmentation allows the range limitation function to be added as a distinct element that can be independently positioned or removed, maintaining the simplicity of the core hinge while providing the versatility of selective motion control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hinge limiters are added to restrict door motion, then impact with objects is prevented, but the hinge mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge limiters are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and installed. They function as sacrificial elements that provide the necessary mechanical constraint through their geometry alone, without requiring complex mechanisms or expensive materials. This allows impact prevention to be achieved with minimal addition to the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a door, such a glass shower door, including a back plate attachable to a surface, a hinge block extending from the back plate, a clamp rotatably coupled to the hinge block for receiving the glass shower door, and a hinge limiter attached to one of a front or a back exterior surface of the hinge block. The hinge limiter may have a length equal to or less than a length of the hinge block and a width less than a width of the hinge block. The clamp may include a stop plate on an interior surface, adjacent to a distal end of the hinge block, adapted to contact the hinge limiter upon rotation of the clamp.