Spring Hinge Eyeglasses Preloaded Abutment Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring hinge assemblies for glasses face challenges in achieving a simple and secure pre-assembled unit with a helical spring and abutment, as they often require additional effort or risk the abutment being unintentionally levered out during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The abutment is held in the unlocking position by the preloaded helical spring on the hinge element with an inclined contact surface, allowing axial loading to pivot it into a locking position that engages behind an undercut in the housing, using a tool inserted through a passage opening aligned with the helical spring axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the abutment is held only by the end of the coil spring during pre-assembly, then the assembly structure is simplified, but the abutment can be inadvertently levered out along with the coil spring during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is pre-loaded against the hinge element by the coil spring before insertion into the housing. This preliminary action ensures the abutment is already secured in position, preventing it from being levered out during the insertion process. The pre-loading creates a preliminary secure state that maintains reliability throughout assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge element acts as an intermediary between the abutment and the housing. The abutment is held against the hinge element by the spring, and the hinge element itself is inserted into the housing with an undercut. This intermediary structure provides a stable reference surface for the abutment, preventing direct leverage on the spring-abutment assembly during insertion.
2Reliability
If the abutment protrudes in the pre-assembled assembly unit due to the locking position, then the locking position is secured, but the abutment can potentially be inadvertently levered out along with the coil spring
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is pre-loaded against the hinge element by the coil spring before insertion into the housing. This preliminary action ensures the abutment is already secured in position, preventing it from being levered out during the insertion process. The pre-loading creates a preliminary secure state that maintains reliability throughout assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is adapted by providing a suitable contact surface for the abutment, then the abutment can be pivoted into the locked position, but the housing design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a contact surface on the housing for the abutment to pivot against, the solution inverts the approach: the abutment is pre-loaded against the hinge element, and the hinge element (which is simpler) is inserted into the housing with an undercut. The pivoting action occurs against the hinge element rather than requiring a specially adapted housing surface, thereby simplifying the housing design.
4Reliability
If additional measures like guide lugs and separate springs are used to hold the abutment, then the abutment retention is improved, but considerable additional effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The function of holding and pre-loading the abutment is merged into the single coil spring already present in the assembly. The spring is arranged to bear against both the web connecting the two legs and the abutment, combining the functions of mechanical support and abutment retention into one element. This eliminates the need for separate guide lugs, additional springs, or other retaining structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical connection between the sliding piece and the abutment, it pre-loads the abutment against the hinge element for secure retention, and it enables the pivoting motion into the locked position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated retaining mechanisms.
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 design ensures a secure and easy-to-use assembly unit where the abutment is pressed against the hinge element by the preloaded coil spring, allowing straightforward transition from unlocking to locking positions without additional construction measures, with the locking position being secured by the spring's preload.
Implementation Method 1
a helical spring (7) arranged between two legs (6) of a U-shaped sliding piece (2), which is supported with one end on a web (8) connecting the two legs (6) and with the other end on an abutment (9) guided between the two legs (6)
Implementation Method 2
the abutment (9), which is subjected to a compressive force by the helical spring (7)
Implementation Method 3
the abutment (9) has an inclined contact surface (12) on the end face facing the hinge element (4), which is subjected to axial load by a tool (13) that can be inserted through a through-opening (14) in the hinge element (4) running in the direction of the helical spring (7) axis
Implementation Method 4
the abutment (9) is pivoted from the unlocked position into a locked position, in which the abutment (9) engages behind an undercut (15) with an edge section (16) of the contact surface (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A spring hinge for eyeglasses is described, comprising a housing (1) and a U-shaped sliding piece (2) slidably guided in a housing recess (3), which carries a hinge element (4). The sliding piece (2) accommodates a helical spring (7) between its two legs (6), the spring being supported at one end on a bridge (8) connecting the two legs (6) and at the other end on an abutment (9) guided between the two legs (6). The abutment (9) can be pivoted from an unlocked position to a locked position and, in the pivoted locked position, engages an undercut (15) of the housing recess (3). To create advantageous handling conditions, it is proposed thatthat the abutment (9) is held pressed against the hinge element (4) connecting the two legs (6) of the sliding piece (2) by the coil spring (7) in the unlocked position and has a contact surface (12) which can be acted upon by a through-opening (14) in the hinge element (4) extending in the direction of the coil spring axis for pivoting the abutment (9) into the locked position.