Spring-Balanced Chafing Dish Hinge for Stable Cover Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chafing dishes face issues with the cover being displaced when opened due to horizontal force, leading to instability on heating devices, and friction pads wearing off, causing the cover to fall closed.
Innovation Solution
A chafing dish design featuring a hinge assembly with a counterbalance mechanism, including a torsion spring and externally adjustable balance and stop adjusters, allowing the cover to be stably held open to 90 degrees without supports and preventing the dish from falling off the stove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction pads are used to maintain the cover open position, then the cover can be held open during use, but the friction pads wear off with use causing the cover to fall closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system with a spring-based counterbalance mechanism. The spring applies a counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the cover, allowing the cover to be held at any desired angle without relying on friction pads that wear over time. This substitution eliminates the wear problem while maintaining the ability to hold the cover open.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a counterbalance mechanism using a spring that applies an upward force equal to the weight of the cover. This counterbalancing force allows the cover to remain stationary at any angle without requiring friction pads, directly addressing the reliability and durability issues associated with worn friction pads.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is opened in conventional chafing dishes, then the cover can be accessed, but horizontal force moves the chafer off the stove
Solution Approach 1:
The spring counterbalance mechanism applies an upward force that offsets the weight of the cover, preventing horizontal movement when the cover is opened or closed. This counterbalancing force keeps the chafer stable on the stove while maintaining easy cover accessibility.
3Reliability
If friction pads are used to hold the cover open, then the cover position can be maintained, but the setup loosens causing covers to fall closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex friction pad adjustment mechanism with a simpler spring-based counterbalance system. The spring automatically provides the necessary holding force without requiring adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while improving reliability.
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 counterbalance mechanism ensures smooth operation and stability, preventing the chafing dish from falling off the stove and allowing for easy adjustment and replacement of covers, addressing the limitations of friction pads and providing a secure, user-friendly solution.
Implementation Method 1
The counter balance member comprises a torsion spring encircling the part of the hinge shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A chafing dish includes a pan, a cover hingedly connected to the pan through a hinge shaft, a plurality of cover arms, each cover arm having one end secured to the hinge shaft and other end to the cover, and a counter balance member which encircles a part of the hinge shaft and is secured in position at both ends in a hinge assembly, thereby enabling the counter balancing of the cover at any angle from the closed state of the cover.