EP3251571B1 - Hinge for pivoting a door - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hinge for pivoting a door, in particular a door of a shower partition, with the features of the preamble of claim 1, as well as a shower partition with a hinge.

Such hinges and shower partitions are already part of the state of the art and are, for example, in the EP 2 687 660 A2 shown.

The document EP2826939 discloses a hinge according to the preamble of claim 1.

The prior art shows a hinge with a raising-lowering mechanism, the door attached to the hinge being raised when the hinge is pivoted from a zero position. This lifting of the door has the effect that, for example, a seal on the lower edge of the door does not touch the floor when the door is moved out of the zero position. During the closing process, the door lowers again, the seal attached to the door resting on the floor in the zero position of the hinge, thus preventing water from escaping. Such hinges have energy accumulators which support the lifting process when the hinge is pivoted out of the zero position. As a result of the diagonal movements when the door is pivoted, transverse forces act on the energy storage device; these transverse forces can lead to the development of noise and also to premature damage to the energy storage mechanism. Furthermore, the installation of the energy storage mechanism is often very complicated, since it has to be inserted between a fitting part and a swivel arm. This insertion takes place under pre-tension, which means that the energy storage device has to be pressed together with an aid before it can be placed in the hinge.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages described above and to provide a hinge and a shower partition with a hinge according to the invention which are improved compared to the prior art.

This is achieved in the hinge according to the invention by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Because the longitudinal axis of the energy store is inclined in the direction of the axis of rotation, the transverse forces which act on the energy store when the hinge parts are pivoted out of the zero position and back in the direction of the zero position are reduced. The longitudinal axis is based on the movement of the swivel arm, which also moves inclined to the axis of rotation in the fitting. This takes place along a guide that forms a guide track inclined to the axis of rotation. If this guide track is inclined to the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis of the energy store is not inclined in the direction of the axis of rotation, the effect of the transverse forces increases when the hinge is pivoted out of the zero position and back into the zero position.

Since the at least one energy store supports a movement of the first fitting relative to the second fitting around the axis of rotation out of the zero position in a direction inclined to the axis of rotation of the swivel joint, then the door is not only lifted when moving out of the zero position, but also a lateral offset of the door. The door moves away to the side and is moved parallel to the axis of rotation. In this way, the door is not only raised, but also moved away from a rigid part of the shower partition, such as a wall, to the side. The gap between the wall and the door is enlarged. By lifting and moving away, contact with standing areas in the environment is avoided - seals do not rub against fixed bodies in the course of movement and are thus protected. Furthermore, impurities that are on the floor or other fixed areas of the shower partition, for example, are not smeared through the seals.

If the at least one energy store supports a movement of the first fitting relative to the second fitting around the axis of rotation out of the zero position or also back into the zero position in a direction inclined to the axis of rotation of the swivel joint, then not all of the force to open the door has to come from Zero position out or applied back to the zero position by the person using the shower.

If the longitudinal axis of the at least one energy store is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the swivel joint, the construction of the hinge is simplified and the force is better distributed in the hinge. The hinge can be made more compact. If all the moving parts were in the center of the hinge - for example, arranged around the axis of rotation or in the axis of rotation - the hinge would be complicated in structure and also more prone to errors due to the moving parts lying against one another.

If, after the first fitting has been pivoted around the axis of rotation relative to the second fitting out of the zero position, the at least one energy store counteracts a restoring movement around the axis of rotation of the first fitting relative to the second fitting back into the zero position or out of the zero position, then the The door is braked or damped by the energy storage device when moving back to the zero position or away from the zero position. A sudden fall into the zero position or into an open position is thus prevented. The energy store thus not only supports the opening movement but also brakes the closing movement, or vice versa, and thus has a damping effect when moving into the zero position or into the open position.

Since the at least one energy storage device supports moving the swivel arm along the guide when the first fitting moves relative to the second fitting around the axis of rotation out of the zero position or a movement back into the zero position, then all can Swivel arm fastened elements are supported by the energy store. The swivel arm in the guideway is the link between the two fittings. The second fitting part is thus moved in the guide track along the guide track due to the pivot arm as soon as the two fitting parts are pivoted relative to one another. The massive swivel arm takes over all the forces that arise. The solid design of the swivel arm creates a long-lasting, smooth-running and precisely functioning hinge with a lift-lower function. The guide or guideway designed as an inclined surface serves as a ramp along which the swivel arm moves. During the movement along this ramp-like guide, the counterforce increases or decreases due to the energy store.

If the at least one energy store is designed as a spring, preferably a helical spring, a low-maintenance and error-prone energy store is built into the hinge. Energy storage devices that are implemented, for example, by gas cylinders or oil cylinders, can leak over a long period of time and their function is no longer guaranteed. Energy accumulators, which are made from an elastomer, for example, tend to be very temperature-dependent. Furthermore, some of these become porous over time and begin to break. Even then, their function is no longer guaranteed.

If the spring is designed as a compression spring, no complicated suspension has to be provided for this spring. A compression spring only needs two surfaces between which the spring is clamped. In the case of a tension spring, the ends of the spring would have to be hooked into appropriate holders. The design as a compression spring achieves a more compact design and a long-lasting and reliable function.

If the at least one energy storage device is located in a casing, the energy storage device being mounted movably along its longitudinal axis in the casing at least in sections, a separation between the energy spokes and the surrounding elements of the fitting part is produced. The energy store itself can therefore not produce any frictional forces between the fitting part and the energy store. The energy store therefore does not rub against the fitting. In addition, the penetration of impurities into the energy storage device can also be prevented. Deposits such as lime or the like can influence or prevent the function of the energy storage mechanism. Impurities could also lead to the development of noise when the hinge is pivoted. The introduction of the energy store into the fitting is also simplified. If the energy storage device is designed as a helical spring, for example, it could deflect transversely to its longitudinal axis when it is inserted into the fitting part if it is preloaded. However, if the energy storage device is encased, it is not possible to evade the longitudinal axis of the energy storage device during pretensioning.

If the cover is formed by a sleeve with a cavity, the energy storage device corresponding in its outer shape and dimension with the shape and dimension of the cavity of the cover and at least partially protruding from at least one opening of the cover, then a play-free movement of the energy storage device in the direction not possible across its longitudinal axis. This play-free guidance of the energy storage mechanism prevents, for example, the development of noise. In addition, it can be prevented that the energy storage device moves into a different position in the course of prolonged use of the hinge and that the force on the swivel arm and the second fitting part is no longer guaranteed. The function would therefore no longer be given. The precisely fitting cover also prevents incorrect placement when installing the lift mechanism.

If the length of the at least one energy store can be changed by an adjusting element, the length being a preload length before the energy store is installed in the hinge and can be changed to an installation length in the installed state, then the energy store is along its longitudinal axis between the second fitting part and taken by the swivel arm. In addition, the preload of the energy store in the installed state and / or also in the removed state can be changed by an adjustment element. The pretensioning force of the energy store depends on the weight of the door attached to it or on the preference for operating the shower. If this would like to have a door that can be easily pivoted, the pre-tensioning force is increased. This must also be done as soon as a heavy door is installed - for example a door made of glass. If the door is lighter, the pre-tensioning force can be reduced. The energy storage mechanism can be inserted into the hinge in its maximum length (preload length) in the relieved state and can only be preloaded when it is in it. This makes the assembly of the energy storage device much easier, as it does not have to be inserted into the hinge in a pretensioned manner.

If the adjusting element is formed by a screw, the adjusting element can be adjusted by specialist personnel using conventional tools. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the screw has a receptacle for, for example, a screwdriver or an Allen key.

If the swivel arm has at least one inclined surface for receiving the energy storage device, the inclined surface extending essentially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the energy storage device and being inclined to the axis of rotation, the transverse forces in the contact area between the energy storage device and the swivel arm are reduced. Furthermore, the introduction of the energy store between the swivel arm and the second fitting part is simplified. These effects are also supported albeit that Fitting part has at least one inclined surface for receiving the energy storage device, the inclined surface extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the energy storage device and being inclined to the axis of rotation.

Since the longitudinal axis of the energy storage device deviates from the axis of rotation of the rotary joint at an angle of between 5 ° and 40 °, preferably 8 ° and 30 °, particularly preferably between 10 ° and 20 °, there is not so great a difference between the angle of the Longitudinal axis and the axis of rotation. The closer the angle of the longitudinal axis is adapted to the angle of the axis of rotation, the lower the transverse forces that act on the energy storage device or the swivel arm.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are shown with reference to the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

Scharnier in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

Scharnier in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 3

Scharnier - Stand der Technik - schematisch dargestellt,

Fig. 4

Scharnier in Nulllage,

Fig. 5

Scharnier verschwenkt aus der Nulllage und

Fig. 6

eine Duschabtennung.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the description of the figures with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

Hinge in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

Hinge in an exploded view,

Fig. 3

Hinge - state of the art - shown schematically,

Fig. 4

Hinge in zero position,

Fig. 5

The hinge swivels out of the zero position and

Fig. 6

a shower enclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a hinge 100 with a first fitting part 1 and a second fitting part 2. In general, the second fitting part 2 is closed with the guide 5 by a cover. This cover cannot be seen in the figures, since the inner workings of the hinge 100 would otherwise not be visible. The cover prevents the ingress of splash water and Contamination into the interior of the fitting parts 1, 2. The first fitting part 1 is connected to the second fitting part 2 via a swivel arm 6. This pivot arm 6 has a swivel joint 3, which in the oblique view Fig. 1 is not apparent. The axis of rotation 4 formed by the swivel joint 3 has been shown schematically in FIG Fig. 1 drawn. The first fitting part 1 can pivot relative to the second fitting part 2 about this axis of rotation 4. This takes place from a zero position N. In the Fig. 1 The position shown of the hinge 100 corresponds to the zero position N. If the hinge 100 is moved out of the zero position N, the swivel arm 6 moves along a guide 5 which forms a linear guide track 51. This linear guide track 51 inclines towards the axis of rotation 4. When the first fitting part 1 is pivoted relative to the second fitting part 2 about the axis of rotation 4, the pivot arm 6 is displaced along the linear guide track 51. Since this linear guideway 51 inclines towards the axis of rotation 4, a superimposed movement occurs during the pivoting of the first fitting part 1 relative to the second fitting part 2. The pivot arm 6 slides upwards along the linear guideway 51, with the first fitting part 1 moving away from the second Fitting part 2 is removed in a direction of movement at right angles to the axis of rotation 4. Not only a horizontal offset, but also a vertical offset of the door 101 is achieved. The pivot arm 6 slides along the linear guide track 51 not only to the side, but also upwards. This upward sliding causes the first fitting part 1 to move relative to the second fitting part 2 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 4. The two superimposed movements in the vertical and horizontal axis cause the first fitting part 1 to move obliquely relative to the second fitting part 2 when the first fitting part 1 is pivoted relative to the second fitting part 2. This movement is supported by an energy store 7, which is located between the second fitting part 2 and the pivot arm 6 is located. The energy store 7 is additionally held and preloaded by an adjusting element 9. By adjusting the Adjusting element 9, the spring force or pretensioning force of the energy store 7 can be changed.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the hinge 100. The second fitting part 2 has a recess which at least partially corresponds to the outer contour of the pivot arm 6. The swivel arm 6 is inserted into this and then positively positioned by the guide 5 and guided in a diagonal between vertical and horizontal offset. The second fitting part 2 has a fastening section 22 in which the adjusting element 9 is inserted. The fastening section 22 can be designed as a thread, for example, the adjusting element 9 as a corresponding screw element. If the adjusting element 9 in the form of a screw is rotated inward - that is, clockwise - the preload of the energy store 7 is increased. By increasing this force, the pivoting back into the zero position N or from the zero position into an open position - depending on the design of the hinge 100 - can be reinforced. If the adjusting element 9 is unscrewed counterclockwise, the spring preload of the energy accumulator 7 is reduced and thus also the support of the pivoting back into one of the positions. In the installed state, the energy store 7 is held in its position by the underside of the adjusting element 9. On the opposite side of the energy storage mechanism 7, it is held by a holding element 21 which is located on the pivot arm 6 or is formed by the latter. Accidental escape of the energy storage device 7 from this position is prevented by this measure. This also facilitates the installation of the energy store 7, since the energy store 7 in the relaxed state, the preload length LKV can be inserted between the pivot arm 6 and the fitting part 2, is held by the holding element 21 and then positioned by the adjusting element 9 and adjusted to the installation length LKE (see Fig. 4 ) is preloaded.

Fig. 3 shows an example from the prior art. The longitudinal axis LA of the energy store 7 is parallel to the in Fig. 3 not shown axis of rotation 4 aligned. When the swivel arm 6 is moved along the guide 5 and the guide track 51, the energy store 7 is compressed. In addition, transverse forces arise because the energy store 7 makes contact at its upper end with a rigid component of the second fitting part 2 and is mounted in a movable element in the lower area. As it were, the energy store 7 rubs when the swivel arm 6 is moved along a surface of the second fitting part 2, which leads to transverse forces and thus, under certain circumstances, to the development of noise. In addition, the energy store 7 can be damaged after a long period of use. The installation of the energy storage device 7 also proves to be more difficult than in the case of the hinge 100 according to the invention, since the pre-tensioning of the energy storage device 7 has to be established by an external aid prior to installation due to the lack of adjusting element 9.

Fig. 4 shows the hinge 100 in a zero position N. The hinge 100 consists of the two fitting parts 1, 2. In the second fitting part 2, the guide 5 with the guide track 51 is formed. The pivot arm 6 moves along this guide track 51. This is only in FIG Fig. 5 evident. In the zero position N, the energy store 7 presses the swivel arm 6 along the guide 5 and the guide track 51 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 4. This reduces the distance between the first fitting part 1 and the second fitting part 2. In addition, both fitting parts 1, 2 are brought to the same horizontal plane. Depending on the bias of the energy store 7 by the adjusting element 9, this effect is supported more or less. The longitudinal axis LA of the energy store 7 is inclined towards the axis of rotation 4. As a result of this inclination, fewer transverse forces are generated when the pivot arm 6 moves relative to the second fitting part 2. The energy store 7 can compensate for the radially acting forces more easily than as in FIG Fig. 3 to the state of the art. The angle of the longitudinal axis LA of the energy store 7 deviates by a value of between 5 ° and 40 °, preferably 8 ° and 30 °, particularly preferably between 10 ° and 20 ° from the angle of the axis of rotation 4 of the swivel joint 3. The smaller the deviation of the angle of the longitudinal axis LA from the angle of the guide track 51 of the guide 5, the smaller the transverse forces which act on the energy storage device 7. The energy store 7 is arranged between the inclined surfaces 10, 11. The inclined surface 10 is formed by the swivel arm 6, the inclined surface 11 by the fitting part 2. In the inclined surface 11, the adjusting element 9 is adjustable at a right angle to the inclined surface 11. In the maximally extended state of the adjusting element 9, the energy storage device 7 will contact the inclined surface 11. As a result of the prestress built up by the adjusting element 9, there is no longer any direct contact between the energy store 7 and the inclined surface 11.

Fig. 5 shows a hinge 100 in a state pivoted out of the zero position N. The first fitting part 1 has been pivoted relative to the second fitting part 2 about the axis of rotation 4 of the swivel joint 3. The swivel arm 6 plays an essential role here, since it supports the first fitting part 1 from the second fitting part 2. During the pivoting about the axis of rotation 4 and this support, the pivoting arm 6 therefore moves along the guide track 51. The energy store 7 counteracts this force. This means that in this exemplary embodiment the energy storage mechanism 7 supports pivoting back into the zero position N of the hinge 100. If the energy store 7 were arranged on the underside of the swivel arm 6 and repelled from the second fitting part 2 there, a movement out of the zero position N would be supported. The energy accumulator 7, in this case designed as a spring, as a compression spring, is located in a casing 8 in this exemplary embodiment. This casing 8 prevents direct contact between the surrounding elements and the energy accumulator 7. This can have a positive effect on the development of noise or even when guiding the energy store 7. However, a casing 8 is not absolutely necessary.

Fig. 6 shows a shower partition 110 with at least one hinge 100 for pivoting the door 101 relative to a wall 102. When the door 101 is pivoted, it is raised or the gap between the door 101 and the wall 102 is enlarged.

Claims (13)

1. A hinge (100) for pivoting a door (101), in particular a door (101) of a shower partition (110), about an axis of rotation (4) from a neutral position (N), wherein upon a pivotal movement of the door (101) out of the neutral position (N) the door is displaced at a right angle and parallel to the axis of rotation (4), comprising: - a first and a second fitting part (1, 2), wherein the first fitting part (1) is connected to the second fitting part (2) by way of a pivotal arm (6), - a rotary joint (3) having a vertical axis of rotation (4) and by way of which the first fitting part (1) is mounted to the pivotal arm (6) pivotably from the neutral position (N), - a guide (5) on the second fitting part (2) for movable mounting of the pivotal arm (6) along a linear guide track (51), wherein the linear guide track (51) is inclined in the direction of the axis of rotation (4), wherein upon a movement of the hinge (100) out of the neutral position (N) by pivotal movement of the first fitting part (1) relative to the second fitting part (2) about the axis of rotation (4) the pivotal arm (6) is displaced along the linear guide track (51), wherein the first fitting part (1) moves at a right angle and parallel to the axis of rotation (4) relative to the second fitting part (2), wherein when the first fitting part (1) is arranged on the door (101) the door (101) is displaced at a right angle and parallel to the axis of rotation (4), - at least one force storage means (7) with a spring force acting along a longitudinal axis (LA) of the force storage means (7), which force storage means (7) is arranged between the second fitting part (2) and the pivotal arm (6), wherein upon a movement of the first fitting part (1) relative to the second fitting part (2) about the axis of rotation (4) out of the neutral position (N) and/or back into the neutral position (N) the at least one force storage means (7) supports or brakes a movement of the pivotal arm (6) along the guide (5), characterised in that the longitudinal axis (LA) of the force storage means (7) is arranged at an angle of between 5° and 40° relative to the axis of rotation (4).
2. A hinge according to claim 1 characterised in that upon a movement of the first fitting part (1) out of the neutral position (N) and relative to the second fitting part (2) about the axis of rotation (4) the second fitting part (2) is guided by the guide (5) in a direction inclined relative to the axis of rotation (4) of the rotary joint (3).
3. A hinge according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the at least one force storage means (7) supports upon a movement of the first fitting part (1) relative to the second fitting part (2) about the axis of rotation (4) out of the neutral position (N) and/or back into the neutral position (N) in a direction inclined relative to the axis of rotation (4) of the rotary joint (3).
4. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the longitudinal axis (LA) of the at least one force storage means (7) is spaced from the axis of rotation (4) of the rotary joint (3).
5. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that upon pivotal movement of the first fitting part (1) about the axis of rotation (4) relative to the second fitting part (2) out of the neutral position (N) and/or back into the neutral position (N) the at least one force storage means (7) counteracts a restoring movement about the axis of rotation (4) of the first fitting part (1) relative to the second fitting part (2) back into the neutral position (N) and/or out of the neutral position (N).
6. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the at least one force storage means (7) is in the form of a spring, preferably a coil spring.
7. A hinge according to claim 6 characterised in that the spring is in the form of a compression spring.
8. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the at least one force storage means (7) is disposed in a casing (8), the force storage means (7) being mounted movably at least portion-wise along its longitudinal axis (81) in the casing (8).
9. A hinge according to claim 8 characterised in that the casing (8) is formed by a sleeve having a cavity, wherein the force storage means (7) in its external shape and dimensions corresponds to the shape and dimensions of the cavity of the casing (8) and at least portion-wise projects from at least one opening in the casing (8).
10. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the at least one force storage means (7) is variable in its length (LK) by an adjusting element (9), preferably in the form of a screw, wherein the length (LK) before installation of the force storage means (7) in the hinge (100) is of a pretensioning length (LKV) and is variable by the adjusting element (9) to an installation length (LKE) in the installed state.
11. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that the pivotal arm (6) has at least one inclined surface (10) for receiving the force storage means (7), wherein the inclined surface (10) extends substantially orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the force storage means (7) and is inclined relative to the axis of rotation (4).
12. A hinge according to one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that a fitting part (1, 2) has at least one inclined surface (11) for receiving the force storage means (7), wherein the inclined surface (11) extends substantially orthogonally relative to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the force storage means (7) and is inclined relative to the axis of rotation (4).
13. A shower partition (110) with at least one hinge (100) - preferably at least two hinges (100) - for pivoting a door (101) relative to a wall (102) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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