GB2568530A

GB2568530A - Damped hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2568530A
Application number: GB1719218.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chi Yew Tai; Chow Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-20
Filing date: 2017-11-20
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: CN109812163A; CN210530582U; GB201719218D0; CN109812163B

Abstract

A damping arrangement (preferably a sealed unit) having a damping piston 16 mounted within a bore of a housing 13 and engaging a spindle (3, fig.1); the piston acting perpendicular to the spindle. A baffle 22 with an aperture 23 within the bore. The piston 44, bore and first side of the baffle forming a first fluid chamber; a variable volume chamber forming a second fluid chamber on the second side of the aperture; the second fluid chamber may be coaxial with the bore or may be parallel and laterally offset (fig.5). A valve arrangement controlling flow of hydraulic fluid through aperture 23. The valve arrangement may comprise a one-way valve 24 with an axial aperture 37 which communicates with the tapered stem 32 of an inline coaxial needle valve. The valve allows free movement of fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber and restricted flow via needle valve in the opposite direction. May be used in a hinge or a door closer.

Description

This invention relates to a damping anungement for a hinge for a door or other closure. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a damped hinge or 5 closer for a framed or frameless glass, wooden or other door. The hinge may be a damped self-closing hinge. Alternatively the hinge may be used io provide damping in combination with a separate self-closing arrangement. Further alternatively the hinge may be used to damp motion of a manually closable door.

Previously disclosed hinges, for example GB 2472883 or GB 2484527 include passageways forming a circuit containing oil or other hydraulic fluid arranged so that movement of the damping piston from a closed position to an opened position causes a free flow of fluid within the circuit and further arranged so that movement of the damping piston from an opened position to a closed position causes a restricted flow of 15 fluid to damp the closing movement.

A restricted flow of the fluid may be achieved using a screw valve which is adjustable to control the cross section of the oil passageway, in order to restrict the oil flow as the hinge moves in a closing direction. A one-way valve may be provided to bypass the screw valve to permit relatively free flow of oil as a hinge moves in an opening direction. The oil moves around a circuit within the hinge housing as the hinge completes an opening and closing cycle.

According to the present invention a damping arrangement for control of rotational movement of a hinge from an opened position to a closed position comprises: a housing;

a spindle mounted on an axis and rotatable with respect to the housing;

a damping piston engaging a cam surface of the spindie;

the damping piston having an axis and being movable along the axis within a 30 bore in the housing, the bore extending perpendicularly with respect to the spindle;

the damping piston comprising a piston head and a piston body extending rearward!}’ from the head, the piston head extending from the bore;

the piston head being urged forwardly into engagement with the cam surface;

the cam surface being configured to move the damping piston rearwardly away

Tom the spindle axis as the hinge moves to the closed position the bore forming a first compartment rearwardly of the piston head;

a baffle extending across the bore rearward I y of the piston, the baffle having arranged to control flow of fluid through the aperture;

compartment for hydraulic fluid, the volume of die first compartment having maximum and minimum values as the piston extends from the bore towards the spindle axis and retracts into the bore away from the spindle axis respectively a second compartment comprising a variable volume reservoir communicating with the aperture on a second side of the baffle, and means for applying pressure to fluid in the variable volume reservoir.

second compartment together with any interconnecting o' passageways may torrn second compartments in use. Fluid may pass in alternate directions, typically forwardly or backwardly relate to the spindle axis, through the aperture between the compartments during opening and closing movements of the hinge. This arrangement may be contrasted with prior art hinges in winch the fluid flows in one direction around a he provision of a sealed unit allows the fluid containing part of the damping arrangement to be provided as a separate component to facilitate manufacture and repair of the hinge. The fluid movement may be along the piston axis.

A hinge in accordance with this invention may overcome disadvantages observed with previous hinges. The manufacture of a hinge with a previously disclosed oil circuit involves drilling of channels to ionn oil passageways in the housing.

Machining of oil passageways requires precision tools and adds to manufacturing costs.

Closing of externally opening bore •W with screws or other threaded components also adds to costs and may permit leakage on prolonged use. Externally opening bores detract from appearance and may make it necessary to provide a decorative casing covering the housing.

Frequent use of the hinge and/or extreme ambient temperatures can lead to build-up of metal deposits in the internal cavities of the hinge. .Relatively high hydraulic pressures are created by forcing oil through a restricted aperture such as a screw valve. Such high pressure differentials can dislodge deposits leading to damage to contact surfaces and moving parts, particularly on prolonged use. High hydraulic pressures may be avoided or reduced in hinges of this invention, mitigating such oroblems

The variable volume reservoir may comprise a bore in the housing or in a removable casing in the bore communicating with the second side of the baffle, a region of the bore remote from the baffle being closed by a pressure release piston, the pressure •elease piston being movable within the bore to change the volume of the reservoir.

when the pressure release piston is urged towards the baffle by a resilient, means.

’The resilient means may comprise a spring, for example a compression spring.

The resilient means may be arranged to apply pressure in use on fluid in the reservoir to urge the fluid into the first compartment as the volume of the first eompartmen increases during rotation of the hinge. The force applied by the resilient means does not exceed volume value.

a maximum value selected to permit fluid to pass into the reservoir as the of the second compartment decreases from the maximum value to the minimum

In a first embodiment the reservoir is located in a bore which is coaxial with the bore of the damping piston.

a bore which is located alongside and parallel to the bore of the damping piston.

In this embodiment the reservoir bore may be located above or below the damning piston bore, so that the cam follower surfaces of the damping piston and reservoir end cap may engage one or more

The end cap may include a spring seat, to receive and correctly align the spring.

In an embodiment in which the end can

A soring or oilier resilient means remote from the .onstant force being applied to the pressure release piston by the spring in use.

In an alternative embodiment in which the end cap is movable, the end of the spring or other resilient means remote from, the pressure along the bore during opening and closing of the hinge.

The end cap may directly or^-indirectly engage release niston may be moved a second cam surface of the spindle. Indirect engagement may be by means of a coupling or connecting member.

The end cap may have a cam follower surface arranged to engage a second cam surface of the spindle. In such an arrangement the spring provides a variable compressive force on the fluid in the reservoir. This arrangement may absorb variations in pressure within the reservoir and first compartment, avoiding high fluid pressures within the hinge during use.

Movement of the assembly comprising the pressure release piston, spring and end cap provides effective control of the pressure and flow of the fluid into and out of the first compartment in use. The force applied is not dependent on the degree of compression or tolerance of the spring.

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The force applied by fluid pressure urges the cam follower surface of the end cap into engagement with the cam surface of the spindle, so that as the spindle rotate:

the radial distance of the end cap from the spindle axis is adjusted. This in turn controls the pressure applied by the spring on the pressure release piston.

The pressure release piston applies pressure on the fluid in the reservoir to balance the pressure in the damping compartment during the opening and closing cycle of the hinge, reducing or avoiding difficulties due to high fluid pressure within the hinge particularly during movement into the closed position

The one-way valve may comprise a manually adjustable needle valve. The needle valve may be arranged to allow the maximum rate of fluid during the dosing

The needle valve may be located axially of the damping compartment having a valve stem and seat or guide member can valve stem engaged with a screw thread in an annular valve seat or guide member communicating with the aperture and fluid reservoir, so that fluid passing between the pass through the aperture during closing of the onen when the hinge moves from the closed

Jc close as the hinge moves from the opened position to the opened position and to position to the closed position. Adjustment of the needle valve controls the damping having a screw thread extending axially through the damping piston head, may be used to permit adjustment, for example using a screw driver during installation. The toggle or driver may have legs slotted between to receive the valve stem permitting rotation of the valve stem causing it to be screwed in and out of the threaded valve seat.

The damping arrangement of this invention may be provided as a unitary component which may be inserted into the bore or bores of the housing and removed for repair or replacement as necessary. The unitary damping component may be a sealed unit containing working fluid.

Phe damping arrangement of the present invention may be provided in addition to an adjustable spindle as disclosed in UK Patent Application No 1704958.6 filed on

March 2017 (attorney docket CHO-P5736GB). Such a combination may provide a hinge which facilitates installation in locations which do not have the correct configuration for example, non-vertical wall surfaces., without requiring the use of packing materials or other aids.

A hinge in accordance with this invention may be for use with a wooden or glass door, for example an internal hinge for a -wooden door or a shower door. A pair of clamps may be provided to secure a door panel to the hinge. Movement of the hinge to an opened or closed position correspondingly moves the door to an opened or closed

Alternatively a door closer in accordance with this invention may conveniently secured to the top edge of a wooden or other door, the closer having articulated arm secured to the door frame. In another arrangement the spindle may be an be mounted within a housing for rotation about an axis extending through the housing and in spaced relation to the hinge axis of the door. The damping arrangement is described in this specification in relation to a damped hinge, although it would be appreciated that the configuration of the damping piston and spindle may be used for a door closer arrangement.

The hinge may further comprise a closing piston

The closing piston may be located either diametrically opposed or alternatively in parallel to the damping piston ana and one arranged to act on a closing cam surface of the spindle. Alternatively the damping closing pistons may be located on the spindles of separate hinges of a door, so that •tinge provides a closing force and the oilier hinge provides a force to damp the closing movement, particularly during the final stage of the closing movement.

In an embodiment, the damping arrangement is arranged increase displacement of the damping piston during a final stage ofclosing of the hinge.

increased during rotation through an incremental angle of 20° to 0°, from 10“ to 0°.. or piston. However, fluid flow is restricted by the adjustable valve or valves so that a damping force is applied to the spindle educing the rate of rotation and damping movement of the door. The rate of rotation of the spindle decreases as the O'¹ position is approached because the damping circuit imposes a maximum limit on the fluid flow.

damping piston during final angular increments as the hinge approaches the dosed position.

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Ώ location along the axis of the spindle. Such an arrangement reduces twisting forces on the spindle and bearings and also allows the hei ght of the housing to be minimised.

Alternatively in a second embodiment the closing and damping cam surfaces may be arranged at different axial locations so that one is above the other along the and damping pistons may extend paralle on the same side of the spindle axis. Such an arrangement is disclosed in GB 2484527, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this specification by reference for all purpose:

In some embodiments, the closing and damping arrangements extend .radially from tiie spindle axis in parallel or opposite directions.

The invention is further described by means of example, but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a damping arrangement in accordance with this invention

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the damping piston components;

Figure 3 is a sectional view from above of the damping arrangement showing various stages of dosing;

Figure 4 is a sectional view from above of an alternative damping arrangement showing various stages of closing;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of an alternate damping arrangement; and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating stages of closing of the arrangement shown in Figure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are simplified sectional views showing stages of opening and dosinti

I

The damping arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a hinge body housing (1) having a vertical bore (2.) to receive a spindle (3) mounted in bearing rings (4, 5). A closing piston (6) is driven by compression spring (7) acting against end cap (8). The end cap 8) is screw threaded to close cylindrical bore (9). Hie bore (9) has a horizontal axis (11) extending through lite housing, perpendicular to the vertical spindle axis (10).

The damping arrangement comprises a sealed having a bore and an end cap (21) engaged into the bore unit comprising a housing (13) by a thread. A pressure release piston (15) is slidably located in the bore. Damping piston (16) forms a fluid tight seal with ring (14).

Pressure release piston (15) is slidably received in the axial bore of housing (13) and is urged towards channel block (17.) by compression spring (18). The spring (18) is engaged in spring seat (19) of the end cap (21). Sealing ring (20) ensures that pressure release piston (15) forms a fluid-tight seal with the bore of housing (13) io form a reservoir for oil or other working fluid.

Channel block (17) includes a battle (22) extending across the bore of the permit flow of fluid in use housing (13), the baffle having an axial aperture (23) io between opposite sides of the baffle.

A one-way valve (24) comprises a valve stem snindle (25) extending forwardly ,n a direction towards the (26). Baffle (22) has a planar valve seat surface arranged engage the valve surface (26) to close the valve when fluid is urged rearwardly in a direction away from

Compression spring (27) mounted on stem (25) urges the valve surface (26) into engagement with the valve seat surface of baffle (22) to close the valve, preventing flow of fluid rearwardly into the reservoir (30).

return

An adjustable needle valve assembly controls the rate of flow of fluid through baffle (22) between the first fluid compartment (31) and the variable volume reservoir (30) as shown in Figure 3. The needle valve comprises a tapered valve stem (32) and a threaded head (33 ) engaged in a threaded bore (35) of annular guide (34). The end of valve stem (32) is received in an axial aperture (37) of the stem (25) of the non valve (24). When the valve (24) is closed, fluid flow is limited to the volume of oil which may pass through the aperture (37) as controlled by the stem (32) of the needle valve. Rotation of the needle valve head (33) in threaded bore (35) causes movement of the tapered stem (32} into and out of the axial aperture (37) to close or open the needle valve respectively. A driver (36) has a head with a slot (38) dimensioned to receive a screw driver blade (not shown) or other tool. The driver further comprises rearwardly extending legs (39) defining a slot (40) between the legs (39). The driver is dimensioned to be received in the bore (35) of the threaded guide (34). The screw head (38) extends through an axial aperture (41) of the damping piston (16) to permit manual adjustment of the needle valve within the bore (35) during assembly of the hinge. The head (38) is sealed to the damping piston (16) by a sealing ring (42).

In use of the damping arrangement the reservoir comprising the housing (13). end cap (2I). spring (18) and pressure adjustment piston (15) are located within the bore (9) of the hinge body (I). Rotation of spindle (3) in the bore (2) during movement of the hinge to the closed position causes damping cam surface (43) to urge the cam follower surface (44) to move along axis (lit. The movement may be forwardly towards the spindle axis (10) or backwardly away from the spindle axis (10) dependent on rotation of the spindle. Movement of the damping piston (16) rearwardly away from the spindle axis (10).. compresses the fluid in the first compartment (31). The one-way valve (24) closes the aperture (23) of baffle (22) so that fluid can only flow through the needle valve and axial aperture (37) in the one-way valve stem (25). This causes the flow of fluid io be restricted, damping the movement of the 1 tinge as it rotates toward •ds the 0° closed position.

The damping cam surface (43 ) has an apex (45) so that displacement of the damping piston increases to a maximum as the fully closed. 0° position is reached, as .As the hinge moves from the fully closed position as shown in Figure 3(d) to he opened 90” position as shown in Figure 3(a), the damping piston moves forwardly in the iirsi compartment allowing one-way valve (24) to open pressure release piston (15) and spring (IS), Fluid cars flow around the one-way valve (24), the plunger shaped guide (34) reducing the pressure under pressure of the permitting undamped opening of the hinge.

have the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2.

Damping piston (16) has a earn follower head (44) with a centrally raised portion to increase acceleration and hence damping as the fully closed position is approached. The structure and function of the cam is as disclosed in GB 2501225, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference tor all purposes.

During the successive stages of movement from the 9()° position to the 60°, 30° and the 0° positions, fluid is displaced by movement of the damping piston (16) rearwardly away from the spindle axis (to the right, hand side as shown in the Figures).

Urging fluid through the restricted passageway between the needle valve (32) and the guide (34), and subsequently through the aperture (23) into the reservoir (30), Increasing fluid pressure in the reservoir urges piston (15) rearwardly compressing the spring (18) against end cap (21).

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the damping

Cylindrical housing (50) encloses the io reservoir (30) and pressure release piston (15). Damping piston (51) is slidable within

2C the bore (54) so that the piston head (55) extends from the end (56) of the housing to a variable extent as the damping cam surface of the spindle rotates as shown in Figures

3(a) to (d). Screw bead (57) permits adjustment of the needle valve before installation pressure release pistons are located one above the other on the same side of the spindle axis. Hinge easing (70) has a vertical bore to receive the spindle (71) and sealing and

Two parallel bores in the casing (70) receive the damping and pressure release piston assemblies respectively.

The damping piston assembly comprises a damping piston (80), needle valve (81), threaded guide (82), driver (83), spring (84) and one-way valve unit as described communicating with duet member (88) located in a. recessed seat in

In a similar arrangement die lower bore containing the variable is closed by end cap (85), the end cap having an axial aperture communicating with a second end of duct member (88) so that fluid may flow freely between die upper and lower bores through the duet member located in the recessed seat in the back plate. This arrangement including the duct member (88) serves a similar function to the baffle (23) in Figures 1 to 3 embodiment. The arrangement shown in

Figure 5 has an advantage that the recess seat (89) has no external openings so that leakage to the exterior cannot occur.

The variable volume reservoir is located in a second, lower bore parallel to the first bore and located below the first bore as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6. In contrast to the Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 embodiments the end cap (21) is replaced by a piston compression spring (92). The head (93) of piston (91) is planar and engages a planar reservoir cam surface (94) of the spindle. The reservoir cam surface (94) is perpendicular to the damping cam surface (43) (Figures I to 3) so that when one surface is fully extended while the other is fully retracted.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown;, the head of piston (91) indirectly contacts the spindle by means of a coupling or connecting member.

The function of the second piston (91) in conjunction with the cam surface of spindle (71) is to equalise pressure between the first compartment and adjustable volume reservoir ensuring efficient flow of fluid between the compartment and reservoir during the various stages of the opening and closing cycle. Avoidance of high pressures within, the system prolongs working life and reduces any liability to leakage.

Figures 7 and 8 are simplified views showing successful stages of opening and closing of a damping arrangement as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The relative proportions have been altered and the springs are not shown for clarity and ease of understanding.

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Figures 7(a) to (d) show successive stages of opening and Figures 8(a) to (d) show successive stages of closing. The previous reference numerals are employed. During opening, the damping piston (16, 51) moves away from baffle (2.2.), increasing the volume of the first fluid compartment (52) and moving the tapered needle valve stem (32) out of the axial bore of stem (25) of the one way valve. The one way valve member (24) moves away from the valve seat of the baffle, opening the valve to permit fluid flow into the compartment (5.2).

aperture (2.3) of baffle (2.2.) increases, applied to the binge.

The rate of fluid flow through the reducing the damping force

At the fully position of Figure 7(d), the needle valve is fully opened.

During closing. Figures 8(a) to (d), piston (51) is moving towards baffle (22).

One way valve (24) is closed. The needle valve stem gradually engages the bore of stem (25). restricting the fluid flow and increasing the damping force to maximum value

Claims

1. A damping arrangement for control of rotational movement of a hinge from an opened to a closed position comprising a spindle mounted on an axis and rotatable with respect to the housing a damping piston directly or indirectly engaging a earn surface of the spindle;

the damping piston having an axis and being movable along the axis within a bore in the housing, the bore extending perpendicularly with respect io the spindle:

the damping piston comprising a piston head and a piston body extending rearwardly from the head, the niston head extending from the bore: J ? Λ O the piston head being urged forwardly into engagement with the cam surface:

the earn surface being configured to move the damping piston rearwardly away horn the spindle axis as the hinge moves to the closed position;

the bore forming a first compartment rearwardly of the piston head a baffle extending across the bore rearwardly of the piston, the baffle having two sides and an aperture communicating between the arranged to control flow of fluid through the aperture;

wherein the bore, piston and a ’d a first side of compartment for hydraulic fluid, the volume of the first compartment having maximum and minimum values as the piston extends from the bore towards the spindle axis and retracts into the bore away from the spindle axis respectively;

a second compartment comprising a variable volume reservoir communicating with the aperture on a second side of the baffle, fluid in the variable volume reservoir.

id means for applying pressure to

2. A damping arrangement as claimed in claim L wherein the first and second fluid compartments and anv interconnectinc passageways form a sealed unit wherein

J ./ Ο Λ C? .· fluid may reciprocate between the first and second compartments in use.

3. A damoinc arrangement as claimed in claim 2., wherein the fluid may pass in

Λ k./ X forward and reverse directions through the aperture between the compartments

A damping arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the variable volume reservoir comprises a bore in the housing communicating with the pressure release piston, the pressure release bore to change the volume of the reservoir, the pressure release piston being urged towards the baffle by a resilient means.

5.

A damping arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the resilient means composes a spring.

6.

A damping arrangement· as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the resilient means is arranged to apply pressure on the fluid in the reservoir to urge fluid into the first compartment as the volume of the first compartment increases during

7.

A damping arrangement, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is located in a bore which is coaxial damping arrangement as claimed in any of claims I to 6. wherein the reservoir is located in a bore alongside and parallel to the bore of the damping piston.

9.

damping arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cam follower surfaces of the damping piston and reservoir end cap engage one or more cam surfaces of the spindle.

10. A damping arrangement as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the end cap is movable, the end of the spring or other resilient means remote from the pressure release piston being movable along the bore during opening and closing of the hinge.

11. A damping arrangement as claimed in claim 8 to 10, wherein the end cap has a cam follower surface arranged to engage a second cam surface of the spindle.

12. A damping arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the oneway valve includes a manually adjustable needle valve.

i

13. A damping arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the needle valve is ocated axially of the damping compartment having a valve stem engaged widi a screw thread in an annular valve seat or guide member in fluia communication

14. A. damping arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fluid passing between the valve stem and seat or guide member in use mav nass through the aperture during closing of the hinge.

15. A damping arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one-way valve is arranged to open when the hinge moves towards die opened position and to close has the hinge moves from the opened position to the closed position.

16. A damping arrangement as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15. further comprising a rotatable member having a screw diread extending axially through a bore in tlie damping piston head.

unitary component which may be inserted into the housing and removed for sealed, fluid containing unit.

18. A lunge comprising a damping arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.

19. A hinge as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a closing piston.