Toilet Seat Hinge Locking Rod for Vandal-Resistant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge devices for toilet lids and seats in moving vehicles are complex to assemble and require specialized tools due to their robust design, which is necessary for withstanding dynamic loads and vandalism, but this complexity hinders efficient assembly and security against disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a rotatable locking rod that provides resilience through its own elasticity or spring elements, eliminating the need for direct guidance of spring elements and allowing for simplified assembly, while maintaining resistance to vandalism and disassembly through a robust construction with a one-piece cast connecting piece and flange plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge device is designed with a robust construction using solid axes and guided locking rods to withstand dynamic loads and vandalism, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the assembly complexity increases and requires specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The locking rod is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis, transforming it from a static guided component to a dynamic rotating component. This rotational freedom allows the locking rod to automatically align with locking grooves during assembly without requiring precise pre-alignment or specialized guidance structures, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining the robust locking function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the complex guidance structures and radial bores for spring elements that were present in the prior art. By eliminating these guidance features and allowing the locking rod to rotate freely, the assembly process is simplified to basic fastening operations without requiring specialized assembly aids or multiple persons
2Reliability
If the locking rod is guided displaceably with spring elements on radial bores to provide resilience, then the reliability of locking engagement is improved, but the assembly complexity and time increase due to double fit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking rod is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis, transforming it from a static guided component to a dynamic rotating component. This rotational freedom allows the locking rod to automatically align with locking grooves during assembly without requiring precise pre-alignment or specialized guidance structures, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining the robust locking function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the complex guidance structures and radial bores for spring elements that were present in the prior art. By eliminating these guidance features and allowing the locking rod to rotate freely, the assembly process is simplified to basic fastening operations without requiring specialized assembly aids or multiple persons
3Ease of operation
If the locking rod is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis, then the ease of assembly is improved by eliminating guidance requirements, but the structural complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable locking rod serves multiple functions: it provides the locking engagement through its interaction with locking grooves, provides resilience through its rotational degrees of freedom, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for complex guidance structures. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single rotating component rather than multiple guided components working together
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 simplified assembly process ensures a robust and secure hinge device that is resistant to wear and tear and vandalism, with a frictionless locking mechanism that maintains functionality over time without the need for specialized tools.
Implementation Method 1
these spring elements, the locking rod is resiliently flexible in the radial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge device for a lid and/or seat of a toilet in a moving vehicle, with at least one holding element (107 - 110) rotatably mounted on a fastening flange (101, 102) for fastening the lid or the seat, which is integral with a designed as a recess locking groove are connected, which cooperates to lock the lid in a raised position with a resilient locking element. In order to provide a hinge device with a locking function, which can be assembled in a manner that is simplified compared to the prior art, without sacrificing the properties in terms of resistance to deliberate damage or attempts at dismantling, according to the invention the locking element is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and radial to the axis of rotation of the holding elements resiliently yielding locking rod (106) is designed and arranged in such a way that it can rotate when the locking groove on the rod is engaged and disengaged in order to avoid a relative movement between the surfaces of the locking element that comes into contact and the holding element.