Snap Hinge Damped Closing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap hinges with damped closing solutions either restrict the movement angle or increase structural complexity, leading to either limited application flexibility or higher production costs and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A snap hinge design with a damping element interposed between the coupling plate and the second lever, utilizing a cylindrical jacket and stem with one-way braking means, allows for a greater rotation angle between open and closed configurations without adding complexity, incorporating elastic means to support the weight of the movable element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damping element is interposed between the plate for fixing the hinge to the leaf and an arm of the articulated quadrilateral, then damped closure is achieved, but the movement angle of the leaf is restricted to no more than 90°
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is positioned as an intermediary component between the coupling plate and the articulated quadrilateral, specifically arranged to engage with the fourth lever rather than the second lever. This intermediary positioning allows the damping function to operate independently from the levers that define the movement angle, thus maintaining both damped closure and greater angular flexibility.
2Reliability
If additional elements are added to pivot the damping element between the plate for coupling to the fixed structure and the articulated quadrilateral, then damped closure is achieved, but the structural complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is merged with the existing hinge structure by utilizing the coupling plate and the fourth lever as integral mounting points. The damping element's pivoting mechanism is combined with the existing articulated quadrilateral structure, eliminating the need for separate additional pivoting elements and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fourth lever of the articulated quadrilateral serves multiple functions: it maintains the hinge's primary articulation function while simultaneously serving as a mounting structure for the damping element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated damping element mounting hardware, reducing complexity and production costs.
3Reliability
If the damping element is positioned in the closed configuration, then damped closure is achieved, but the useful space available to passengers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is arranged to operate in a dimensional space that does not encroach on the useful storage volume. By positioning the damping element to engage with the fourth lever in a manner that utilizes the hinge's lateral and depth dimensions rather than projecting into the storage space, the design maintains damped closure functionality while preserving maximum useful space.
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 design enhances the flexibility of the hinge's application by increasing the rotation angle between open and closed configurations while maintaining structural simplicity, economic viability, and reliability, ensuring safe and effective operation with reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
with one-way braking means, for the decelerated transition from the first to the second configuration
Implementation Method 2
provided with elastic means for maintaining the closed configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A snap hinge (1) with damped closing, comprising a first articulated quadrilateral (2) defined by a coupling plate (3) that can be associated with a fixed element (101), a first lever (4) and a third lever (5), which are articulated to the coupling plate (3), and a second lever (8), which is interposed between the preceding levers and is articulated thereto, and a second articulated quadrilateral (11) that comprises a fixing plate (12) that can be associated with a movable element (102) with which are associated and articulated respective ends of the second lever (8) and of a fourth lever (14), the opposite end of which is associated and articulated with the first lever (4); the hinge (1) is adapted to assume alternately an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which the plates (3, 12) have various main arrangements with respect to each other, rotating about a substantially horizontal rotation axis; the hinge (1) is provided with at least one damping element (17) that acts during closing and is interposed directly between the coupling plate (3) and the second lever (8), the damping element (17) having mutually opposite ends thereof articulated about respective fixed pivots (18, 19) associated with the fixing plate (3) and with the second lever (8).