Tension Hinge Pin With Expandable Body For Door Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Doors often swing freely due to improper installation, shifting door frames, warping, or environmental forces, leading to instability and control issues.

Innovation Solution

A tension hinge pin with a hollow interior and an expandable body that can be actuated to expand outward through an opening, frictionally engaging with the hinge knuckles to control door movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standard hinge pin is used, then the door can move freely, but the door becomes unstable and swings uncontrollably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement freedomVSAvoiddoor position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge pin transitions from a static component to a dynamic one through the expandable body that can change its friction characteristics. The expandable body allows the pin to adapt its engagement level with the knuckles, providing variable resistance to door movement rather than fixed friction, thus resolving the contradiction between free movement and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The friction parameter between the hinge pin and knuckles is made adjustable through the expandable body mechanism. By changing the expansion state of the body, the friction coefficient varies, allowing control over door movement freedom while maintaining position stability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the hinge pin is made fixed and tight, then door position stability improves, but the door cannot be adjusted or moved when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor position stabilityVSAvoiddoor movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge pin incorporates a dynamic expandable body that can transition between different engagement states with the knuckles. This allows the system to switch between stable (high friction) and adjustable (lower friction) modes, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and movement adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable body can be actuated by the user through the actuator mechanism, allowing self-adjustment of the door's friction characteristics without requiring external tools or complex adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by providing both stability and adjustability through a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If an expandable body with actuator is added to the hinge pin, then door movement control improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movement controlVSAvoidhinge pin structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable body is nested within the hinge pin body, and the actuator is integrated into the same structure. This nesting approach allows multiple functions (friction control, expansion, actuation) to be combined in a compact package, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while maximizing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge pin is designed as a multi-functional component that combines the traditional pin function with expandable friction control and actuation capabilities. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple roles, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 tension hinge pin effectively regulates the movement of doors by providing adjustable friction, allowing for control over whether a door swings open or closed, and maintaining or changing the door's position as needed.

Implementation Method 1

An actuator is positioned to actuate expansion of the expandable body to expand at least a portion of the expandable body outward through the opening to frictionally engage with both the first and second knuckles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12320177B2Tension hinge pin for door hinges

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 KRAILO TERRY R

AI summary

Tension hinge pins are disclosed. The tension hinge pins include a body with a hollow interior, an opening into the hollow interior, and an expandable body positioned within the hollow interior. The tension hinge pins include an actuator positioned to engage the expandable body and actuate expansion of expandable body to expand at least a portion of the expandable body outward through the opening. The tension hinge pins can be installed in a hinge used for hanging doors.