Spring-Assisted Door Hinge for Low-Power Motorized Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinges with motor drives for household appliances are bulky, expensive, and consume high power, making them difficult to couple with pre-existing hinges and pose challenges in case of power failures or malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design that incorporates controlled motor means, such as electric or electromagnetic actuators, coupled with elastic or cam-shaped means to impose a predefined law of motion, allowing for efficient and low-power operation, and enabling easy manual operation by using a programmable controller to apply axial forces on a motion-guide bar, which can be easily integrated with existing hinges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor drive is sized to fully open and close the door independently, then the door can operate autonomously, but the motor becomes bulky, expensive, and consumes high power
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is sized to perform only a portion of the work required to open or close the door - specifically, it provides assistance during the initial phase of movement or during phases requiring highest force, while the door's own weight and elastic means complete the remaining motion. This partial action approach reduces motor size, cost, and power consumption while maintaining autonomous operation capability.
2Ease of operation
If a motor drive is sized to fully open and close the door independently, then the door can operate autonomously, but the motor becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is sized to perform only a portion of the work required to open or close the door - specifically, it provides assistance during the initial phase of movement or during phases requiring highest force, while the door's own weight and elastic means complete the remaining motion. This partial action approach reduces motor size, cost, and power consumption while maintaining autonomous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic means (springs) are introduced as intermediary elements between the motor and the door. These elastic means store and release energy, assisting the motor during door operation. The spring system absorbs excess force during closing and provides assistance during opening, allowing a smaller motor to achieve the required performance.
3Ease of operation
If an electric motor replaces the conventional hinge, then autonomous operation is achieved, but the hinge becomes incompatible with pre-existing hinge structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both conventional hinges and motorized systems by combining a traditional hinge structure with an auxiliary motor assembly. The motor is mounted separately and couples to the existing hinge, allowing the old hinge to remain in place while the motor provides autonomous operation assistance. This merging approach maintains compatibility with pre-existing hinge structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system is designed to perform multiple functions: the traditional hinge provides the basic rotational support and mechanical connection, while the auxiliary motor assembly provides powered assistance for opening and closing. This multi-functional design allows the system to work with various existing hinge types while adding autonomous operation capability.
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 solution results in a compact, cost-effective hinge that reduces power consumption and allows for easy operation during power failures, using a combination of motor and elastic means to aid door opening and closing, while maintaining functionality with pre-existing hinges.
Implementation Method 1
means to impose a predefined law of motion to the mobile support with respect to the fixed support during opening and/or closing of said door, constituted for example by elastic means operatively interposed between the fixed support and the mobile support
Implementation Method 2
controlled motor means for aiding opening and/or closing of the door. Said controlled motor means apply a push and/or a pull force onto the mobile support with respect to the fixed support
Data Source
AI summary
Hinge for a door which covers at least in part a compartment, of the type comprising a fixed support for coupling to a compartment frame, and a mobile support for coupling to a door, wherein such mobile and fixed support are at least rotatably constrained one to the other. The hinge also comprises a coil spring operatively interposed between the fixed support and the mobile support to impose a predefined law of motion to the mobile support with respect to the fixed support, and an actuator for applying a push or a pull force onto said mobile support with respect to the fixed one.