Top Pin Door Assembly Gravity Self-Centering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic door hinge assemblies require notching or cutting of the door panel for side-mount construction and lack a visible, accessible mechanism for easy assembly and self-centering functionality.
Innovation Solution
A top pin assembly with a side-mount construction that includes a pre-assembled upper bracket attached to a hinge pin, which is then engaged with a side-mounted base bracket, allowing for rotation and self-centering of the door without visible components, and features rollers that bias the door to a closed position using gravity, eliminating the need for spring arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional hinge assembly is used with spring arrangements to bias doors to a closed position, then the door can be automatically closed, but the device complexity increases and the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible springs and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring arrangement entirely from the hinge assembly, extracting the problematic component that caused visibility and complexity issues. The door closing function is achieved through gravity acting on the door itself, eliminating the need for springs, cords, or other mechanical biasing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door serves itself by using its own weight to generate the closing force. The hinge assembly with roller allows the door to automatically return to closed position through gravity without requiring external spring mechanisms or additional energy input.
2Shape
If a side-mount hinge construction is used, then the aesthetic appearance improves by hiding the hinge, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the need for notching or cutting the door panel
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate components: a base bracket that attaches to the door edge without requiring notching, and a hinge mechanism that mounts to the frame. This segmentation allows the base bracket to be surface-mounted on the door edge, avoiding the need for complex door panel modifications while maintaining the hidden hinge appearance.
3Ease of operation
If a pre-assembled upper bracket is attached to the hinge pin, then the ease of assembly improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The upper bracket is pre-assembled and attached to the hinge pin during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of field installation, as the pre-assembled bracket-hinge pin combination can be installed as a single unit, simplifying the assembly process despite the additional component.
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
Facilitates easy assembly, maintains the door in a normally closed position, and ensures automatic return to the closed position without visible components, enhancing ease of use and aesthetics while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
These hinge assemblies operate to close the door without the need for a spring arrangement that would generate a spring force to bias the doors to a closed position. Rather, the hinge assemblies disclosed in these patents use a roller assembly which generates a closing action on the doors by gravity acting upon the door itself.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved top pin assembly is provided for a traffic door which is side-mountable to the door without the necessity of integrated the top pin assembly within the interior of the door panel.