Torque Hinge With Internal Cable Routing and Separable Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque hinges face challenges in easy maintenance, dust, and water resistance, particularly in maintaining the connection and separation of pivotally and electrically/electronically connected objects while ensuring reliable electrical and electronic connections.
Innovation Solution
A torque hinge with internal cable routing that allows for easy separation and connection, featuring reversible component groups with magnetic and mechanical locking mechanisms, and enhanced sealing for IP65 or higher protection, ensuring dust and water resistance, and incorporating axial tensioning devices for constant contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If torque hinge uses traditional fixed connection design, then structural stability is improved, but ease of maintenance and component replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The torque hinge is divided into multiple separable component groups (first component group, second component group, third component group) that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace specific components without disassembling the entire hinge assembly, significantly improving ease of maintenance while maintaining structural integrity through precise mechanical interfaces between segments.
2Ease of repair
If torque hinge uses reversible separable component groups, then ease of maintenance is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate functional element (locking element with locking position) that can be independently engaged to secure component groups together. This extracted locking feature ensures that when components are assembled, they achieve reliable mechanical connection and electrical contact through the dedicated locking interface, compensating for the reversibility of the separable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The component groups combine multiple functions into integrated assemblies: mechanical support structures, electrical connection elements (contact elements, cable routing), and locking mechanisms are merged into unified component groups. This merging ensures that when component groups are connected, all functional requirements (mechanical strength, electrical continuity, and secure attachment) are simultaneously satisfied, maintaining high connection reliability.
3Reliability
If torque hinge uses internal cable routing, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but dust and water resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing is nested within the hollow axle element, creating a protected internal pathway for electrical cables. This nested configuration shields the cables from external environmental factors such as dust and water while maintaining electrical connectivity between component groups. The hollow axle element acts as a protective enclosure that preserves both electrical reliability and environmental resistance.
4Reliability
If torque hinge uses hollow axle element for cable routing, then electrical connection is improved, but structural complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow axle element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the rotational axis for the torque hinge mechanism, provides structural support, and acts as a protective conduit for internal cable routing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable channels and reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connections and environmental protection.
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
Enables simple and reliable separation and connection of objects, maintains electrical and electronic connections, and provides improved dust and water resistance, facilitating easy maintenance and use in various environments, including clean rooms.
Implementation Method 1
a friction with which a friction torque is generated in one of the sockets around the axis
Implementation Method 2
featuring reversible component groups with magnetic and mechanical locking mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a torque hinge (1) which is designed for pivotably connecting two objects (G1, G2) and has an inner cable guide (K, K') which, in a use arrangement of the torque hinge (1), provides an electrical and/or electronic connection of the objects (G1, G2). Here, the torque hinge (1) has at least two component groups (B1, B2) which are reversibly disconnectable and connectable at an interface (T) and which are assigned to the objects (G1, G2) in the use arrangement, wherein the inner cable guide (K, K') has at the interface (T) at least one reversibly disconnectable and connectable electrical and/or electronic connector element pair. The torque hinge (1) has a hollow-pin element (10), a friction element (20) and a first and second bush element (30, 40), wherein the hollow-pin element (10), through which the inner cable guide (K, K') extends, is arranged in the first bush element (30) at one end and extends into the second bush element (40) at the other end The friction element (20) is arranged in a region between the first and the second bush element (30, 40). Here, the hollow-pin element (10) is connected at one end to the first bush element (30) for conjoint rotation and is pivotably received in the second bush element (40) at the other end, or the hollow-pin element (10) is formed as a free-running pin which is pivotably received in the first bush element (30) at one end and in the second bush element (40) at the other end. Also disclosed are a device, consisting of two objects (G1, G2) which are pivotably connected via at least one torque hinge (1), and the use of a torque hinge (1) having an inner cable guide (K, K') for the pivotable and electrical and/or electronic connection of two objects (G1, G2).