Spring-Loaded Clamping Hinge for Secure Door Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional concealed hinges for doors and windows face challenges in securely fixing the hinge flap, leading to potential deformation and tilting due to insufficient force dissipation, especially with heavy sash weights, and require additional effort and uncertainty in achieving a secure locking position.

Innovation Solution

A spring-loaded clamping part with a guide section and clamping section is positioned below the receptacle, automatically engaging and disengaging to provide constant force dissipation and audible feedback upon reaching the locking position, eliminating the need for screws and ensuring secure attachment without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional concealed hinges use clamping jaws with separate set screws to secure the hinge leaf, then the hinge leaf can be adjusted in position, but additional effort is required to tighten the screws and it is unclear whether sufficient force transfer is ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidsecurity of hinge leaf fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element is designed to automatically clamp the hinge leaf in place without requiring user intervention to tighten screws. The spring mechanism self-actuates upon insertion, pushing the clamping jaw against the hinge leaf to secure it reliably in the receptacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual screw tightening mechanism is replaced with an automatic spring-loaded clamping system. The spring force automatically applies the necessary clamping pressure when the hinge leaf is inserted, eliminating the need for separate set screws and user tightening actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Weight of moving object

If heavy sash weights are supported by conventional hinges, then the door or window can function, but the hinge leaf may deform and tilt due to insufficient force dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesash weightVSAvoidhinge leaf stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element features a curved clamping surface that conforms to the hinge leaf geometry, increasing the contact area. This distributed contact improves force dissipation across the hinge leaf surface, preventing localized stress concentrations that could cause deformation or tilting under heavy loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping force is distributed through multiple contact points between the clamping jaw and the hinge leaf. The recess in the clamping jaw is designed to engage with corresponding features on the hinge leaf, creating multiple load paths that collectively support heavy sash weights while maintaining hinge leaf stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a spring-loaded clamping element is used to automatically secure the hinge flap, then the assembly is simplified and no screwing is required, but the mechanism must provide clear feedback to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoiduser feedback on locking position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element incorporates an actuating section with a screwdriver receptacle that provides tactile and visual feedback to the user. When the hinge flap is correctly inserted, the spring mechanism automatically engages, and the user can verify the locked position through the position of the actuating section or by feeling the resistance when attempting to move it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 provides secure, automatic, and audible feedback for the correct positioning of the hinge, preventing deformation and tilting, while simplifying assembly and ensuring the hinge remains in place without additional user effort.

Implementation Method 1

a clamping element, which is displaceable in the insertion direction of the hinge flap and is pre-tensioned by means of a spring in the direction of the rebate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3529440B1Hinge for a door or window
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 ROTO FRANK FENSTER & TURTECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP3529440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3529440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3529440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hinge for a door or window, comprising a frame part (1) and a wing part (2), wherein the frame part (1) has a fastening section (3) which is connected via a joint (4) to a hinge strap (8) which extends normally to the rabbet (5) into a receptacle (6) in the housing (7) of the wing part (2), and wherein the penetration depth of the hinge strap (8) in the wing part (2) corresponds to a multiple of the thickness thereof. To fix the hinge strap (8) in position, a clamping part (10) is provided which is displaceable in the insertion direction, pretensioned towards the rabbet (5) by means of a spring (9), is arranged under the receptacle (6) and has a guiding section (11) and a clamping section (12) which protrudes upwards from the guiding section towards the hinge strap (8) into the receptacle (6). When the hinge strap (8) is inserted, the clamping section (12) interacts with the free end (13) of the hinge strap (8) and is movable counter to the force of the spring (9) thereof. After the hinge strap (8) has been fully inserted and the wing part (2) has been lowered, the clamping part (10) returns to the starting position thereof and the clamping section (12) bears against a lower end face section (14) of the hinge strap (8).