Switchboard Hinge with Sliding Pintle for Safe Door Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hinge devices for switchboard enclosures complicate the assembly and disassembly process, making it unsafe and difficult to prevent accidental falling of the door during locking or unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device featuring a bayonet coupling mechanism with a mobile pintle and locking lever, allowing provisional securement of the door at two points, enabling safer assembly and disassembly by preventing accidental detachment and allowing single-handed handling during screw removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge device is used for door assembly, then the door can be mounted on the enclosure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and unsafe, making it difficult to prevent accidental falling of the door
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into two independent pintles (first and second pintles) that can be assembled and disassembled separately. Each pintle operates independently with its own locking mechanism, allowing the door to be secured at multiple points without requiring complex coordinated operations. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pintle is inserted and preliminarily secured to the door before the second pintle is inserted. This preliminary action creates a stable intermediate state where the door is partially secured, allowing the operator to complete the assembly process safely without risking accidental falling. The preliminary securing enables safer single-handed handling during the final locking steps.
2Reliability
If the door is securely locked at all times, then safety is improved, but the ability to perform maintenance or access internal components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic locking process. The pintles can be inserted, locked, and unlocked in sequence, allowing the door to be securely mounted during operation but easily accessed during maintenance. The dynamic locking mechanism enables the door to be fully secured when needed while allowing controlled access when maintenance is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation into multiple independent pintles allows selective locking and unlocking of individual pintles. During maintenance, only the necessary pintles need to be unlocked, allowing access to internal components while maintaining security at other points. This segmentation provides flexibility in managing security versus accessibility requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single pintle is used for door mounting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and safety against accidental falling is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door mounting system is segmented into multiple independent pintles (first and second pintles) positioned at different locations. Each pintle provides independent security, and together they offer enhanced protection against accidental falling. The segmentation allows the system to achieve higher reliability without requiring complex integrated mechanisms, as each pintle operates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pintle is preliminarily inserted and secured before the second pintle is inserted. This preliminary action creates a stable intermediate state that enhances safety during the assembly process. The sequential insertion ensures that the door is progressively secured at multiple points, achieving higher reliability without complicating the overall device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
For rotatably mounting a door (40) to a switchboard enclosure (30), a hinge device (10) comprises a body (11) fixable to the enclosure (30), a fixed pintle (15) integral with the body (11) and extending in a vertical direction, and a mobile pintle (16) vertically slidably in the body (11). The pintle (16) is movable between an extended position for rotatably engaging the door (40), and a retracted position towards the inside of the body (11) for disengaging from the door.