SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CO-PRINTED OR CONCURRENTLY ASSEMBLED HINGE STRUCTURES

Abstract

Systems and methods of co-printing a unitary hinge are provided. The unitary hinge may be co-printed using an additive manufacturing process. The unitary hinge includes a hinge pin that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The unitary hinge also includes a knuckle which surrounds a portion of the hinge pin and is configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin. The hinge pin is fabricated in situ with the knuckle such that further assembly is unnecessary. The unitary hinge may also include retention mechanism to retain the hinge within the knuckle without substantially restricting the knuckle from being rotated about the hinge pin. The unitary hinge may further be configured with a fluid port which may, for example, be used to provide a lubricant to an area between the hinge pin and the knuckle or to vacuum powder material or debris from the area.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: at least two parts coupled together via a unitary hinge comprising a hinge pin and a knuckle, wherein each of the two parts is capable of manipulation relative to the other as a result of concurrent production of the hinge pin within the knuckle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two parts are co-printed with the hinge pin and the knuckle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is configured to move within the knuckle substantially without friction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one retention portion configured to retain the hinge pin within the knuckle.

5. A unitary hinge, comprising: a hinge pin; and a knuckle, the hinge pin being self-captured within the knuckle and the knuckle being configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin to enable a concurrent manipulation of parts coupled to the hinge.

6. The unitary hinge of claim 5, further comprising an axial retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle.

7. The unitary hinge of claim 6, wherein the axial retention portion is position on an external surface of the hinge pin.

8. The unitary hinge of claim 5, further comprising a conical retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle.

9. A hinge assembly, comprising: a unitary hinge having a hinge pin and a knuckle; a plurality of structures joined to the unitary hinge; a lubricant port configured to provide a lubricant between the hinge pin and the knuckle, the knuckle being configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin to thereby allow concurrent manipulation of the plurality of structures relative to one another.

10. The hinge assembly of claim 9, further comprising a lubricant channel extending from an external surface of the unitary hinge to an area between the hinge pin and the knuckle.

11. The hinge assembly of claim 9 further comprising an axial retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle.

12. The hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the axial retention portion is positioned on an external surface of the hinge pin.

13. The hinge assembly of claim 9, further comprising a conical retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle.

14. A method of manufacturing a unitary hinge, comprising: fabricating, using an additive manufacturing (AM) process, the unitary hinge including a hinge pin and a knuckle configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin, the hinge pin being fabricated at least partially concurrent with the knuckle at a position within the knuckle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising fabricating, using the AM process, at least one retention portion configured to retain the hinge pin within the knuckle.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising fabricating, using the AM process axial retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle and permitting the knuckle to rotate around the hinge pin.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the hinge pin is fabricated with a conical portion and further comprising fabricating a conical retention portion to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising fabricating a fluid port configured to provide a fluid between the hinge pin and the knuckle.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a lubricant via the fluid port to reduce friction between the hinge pin and the knuckle.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising vacuuming, via the fluid port, an area between the hinge pin and the knuckle to remove residual powder material or debris.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Various aspects of the concepts described herein will now be presented in the detailed description by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an exemplary unitary hinge in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of an exemplary unitary hinge with a self-capturing retention mechanism in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of another exemplary unitary hinge with a retention mechanism in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of another exemplary unitary hinge with a retention mechanism and a fluid port in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of manufacturing a unitary hinge in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of two parts joined by a hinge pin and a knuckle and having a fluid port in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of two parts joined by a hinge pin and a knuckle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended to provide a description of various exemplary embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. The term exemplary used in this disclosure means serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments presented in this disclosure. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough and complete disclosure that fully conveys the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. However, the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components may be shown in block diagram form, or omitted entirely, in order to avoid obscuring the various concepts presented throughout this disclosure.

[0021] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a co-printed hinge system. The two separate halves of the hinge system may be co-printed or printed in an arrangement together in situ in a single print job. In addition to reducing waste in materials, printing both halves of the hinge system (e.g., a hinge and knuckle) together may also advantageously reduce additional post-assembly processes. This may significantly reduce the time to produce complex assemblies utilizing hinge systems.

[0022] Additive manufacturing provides a platform to fabricate intricate, functional parts. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a hinge pin and knuckle of the hinge pin system may be co-printed in an single print operation in an additive manufacturing process. That is, at the completion of the additive manufacturing process, the hinge pin may be printed within the knuckle. Co-printing the hinge pin and knuckle may result in a pre-assembled hinge system upon completion of the print job. Appropriate clearances between the hinge pin and the knuckle may also be provided. In some aspects, a retention mechanism may be included to retain the hinge pin within the knuckle such that translational motion of the parts connected by the hinge is constrained or prevented.

[0023] Accordingly, using additive manufacturing, two (or more) parts having a hinge between them may be manufactured in the same print job. In cases where it may be infeasible to print entire parts (due to the support structure requirements, or the excessive size of the parts, for example), alternative embodiments may be employed. For example, the first part that includes the hinge knuckle may be additively manufactured with a hinge pin co-printed into the knuckle. The resulting first part is then simply connected in a secondary operation to the second part by installing the second part to the hinge pin. In either case, the hinge pin and knuckle are fabricated together (i.e. preassembled), and a step in the manufacturing process is thereby eliminated.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of an exemplary unitary hinge in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the unitary hinge 100 includes a hinge pin 102 and a knuckle 104. The hinge pin 102 and knuckle 104 may be concentric, as indicated via centerline 108. The unitary hinge 100 may be configured with the hinge pin 102 in situ within the knuckle 104. The unitary hinge 100 may be printed together with the hinge pin 102 in operable position with the knuckle 104 using an AM manufacturing process, for example. The hinge pin 102 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The knuckle 104 may likewise be substantially cylindrical in shape and may be configured to surround at least a portion of the hinge pin 102. The knuckle 104 may also be configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin 102. For instance, knuckle 104 may be rotated about the hinge pin 102. The unitary hinge 100 may also be configured with clearances 106a-d between the hinge pin 102 and the knuckle 104. The clearances may reduce friction between the hinge pin 102 and the knuckle 104 which may result when such parts contact each other and may reduce performance of the unitary hinge.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of an exemplary unitary hinge with a self-capturing retention mechanism in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the unitary hinge 200 may include a hinge pin 202 and a knuckle 204. The knuckle 204 may be configured to surround a portion of the hinge pin 202. A portion of the hinge pin 202 may extend through apertures 212 and 214 of knuckle 204. In some aspects, the portion of the hinge pin 204 within or surrounded by the knuckle 204 may have a smaller circumference than the portion outside of the knuckle 204.

[0026] The hinge pin 202 may be configured with capture mechanism 206. The capture mechanism 206 may be configured as a ring shaped slot or aperture that is concentric with the hinge pin 202. The knuckle 204 may be configured with a corresponding or mating retention mechanism 208. Retention mechanism 208 may be axial and may be positioned along the axis or extend around the hinge pin 202. Although FIG. 2 shows a single capture mechanism 206 and retention mechanism 208 centered on the length of the hinge pin 202, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting. Rather, multiple capture mechanisms 206 and retention mechanisms 208 may be positioned at any portion of the hinge pin 202 and knuckle 204, respectively. Furthermore, while the capture mechanism 206 and the retention mechanism 208 appear to be substantially ring shaped, those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate after reviewing this disclosure that other shapes may also be used.

[0027] The slot portion of the capture mechanism 206 may be configured to abut the retention mechanism 208 such that the hinge pin 202 may be retained within the knuckle 204. That is, the configuration of the capture mechanism 206 and the retention mechanism 208 may substantially restrict and in some aspects, altogether prevent translation of the hinge pin 202 within the knuckle 204 in a direction parallel with the knuckle 204, while still permitting the knuckle 204 to be manipulated or rotated about the hinge pin 202. This configuration may prevent the hinge pin 202 from being displaced or removed from the knuckle 204, thereby compromising the hinge system and structures coupled thereto. Further, friction which could result for the hinge pin 202 contacting the knuckle 204 may be reduced.

[0028] The unitary hinge 200 with self-capturing retention mechanism including the hinge pin 202 and knuckle 204 may be printed using an AM manufacturing process. Self-capturing of the hinge pin 202 within the knuckle 204 means that the knuckle 204 need not be fabricated over or around the hinge pin 202 to capture the hinge pin 202 that was fabricated in a previous step. Rather, the hinge pin and knuckle are assembled concurrently such that the hinge pin 202 effectively finds itself within the knuckle during the assembly period, and hence is self-captured within the knuckle 204. This procedure is in contrast to conventional techniques which require the knuckle to capture the hinge pin in a second, discrete manufacturing step as described above. The hinge pin 202 and knuckle 204 may be printed together or co-printed with the hinge pin 202 in situ within the knuckle 204. For instance, the unitary hinge 200 may be printed such that the hinge pin 202 is in operable position with the knuckle 204 upon completion of the printing process without further assembly.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of another exemplary unitary hinge with a retention mechanism in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the unitary hinge 300 may include a hinge pin 302 and a knuckle 304. The hinge pin 302 may be configured with conical shaped portion 306. The knuckle 304 may be configured with a conical retention mechanism 310 in corresponding or mating shape to conical-shaped portion 306. The knuckle 304 may be further configured to surround a portion of the hinge pin 302, with a portion of the hinge pin extending through apertures 312 and 314. The retention mechanism 310 may be configured to retain or capture the hinge pin 302 within the knuckle 304. That is, the retention mechanism 310 may substantially restrict and in some aspects, prevent translation of the hinge pin 302 within the knuckle 304 in a direction parallel with the knuckle 304 (e.g., in a direction along centerline 314), while still permitting the knuckle 304 to be manipulated or rotated about the hinge pin 302. This may prevent the hinge pin 302 from being displaced or removed from the knuckle 304, thereby compromising the hinge system and structures coupled thereto. Further, the retention portion 310 may prevent the hinge pin 302 from sliding within the knuckle 304 or contacting the knuckle 304. As such, friction which could result for the hinge pin 302 contacting the knuckle 304 may be reduced.

[0030] The unitary hinge 300 with retention mechanism including the hinge pin 302 and knuckle 304 may be printed using an AM manufacturing process. The hinge pin 302 and knuckle 304 may be printed together or co-printed with the hinge pin 302 in situ within the knuckle 304. For instance, the unitary hinge 300 may be printed such that the hinge pin 302 is in operable position with the knuckle 304 upon completion of the printing process without further assembly.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a top cross-sectional view of another exemplary unitary hinge with a retention mechanism and a fluid port in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the unitary hinge 400 may include a hinge pin 402 and a knuckle 404. The knuckle 404 may be further configured to surround a portion of the hinge pin 402, with a portion of the hinge pin extending through apertures 412 and 414. The hinge pin 402 may be configured with conical-shaped portion 406. In some aspects, the hinge pin may be cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example.

[0032] The unitary hinge 400 may further include a retention mechanism. The knuckle 404 may be configured with a conical retention portion 410 in corresponding or mating shape to conical shaped portion 406. In some aspects, unitary hinge 400 may alternatively be configured using the capture mechanism and retention mechanism as illustrated for example, in FIG. 2. The retention mechanism 410 may be configured to retain or capture the hinge pin 402 within the knuckle 404. That is, the retention mechanism 410 may substantially restrict, and in some aspects, prevent translation of the hinge pin 402 within the knuckle 404 in a direction parallel with the knuckle 404 (e.g., in a direction along centerline 414), while still permitting the knuckle 404 to be manipulated or rotated about the hinge pin 402.

[0033] The unitary hinge 400 may further be configured with a fluid port 416 and a fluid channel 418. The fluid port 416 may be positioned along an external wall of the knuckle 404 or any other external surface of unitary hinge 400. The fluid channel 418 may be coupled to the fluid port 416 and may extend from the fluid port 416 to an area between the hinge pin 402 and the knuckle 404. In some aspects, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 may be configured to receive and distribute or deliver a lubricant or other fluid (e.g., air) to an area or space between the knuckle 404 and the hinge pin 402. In one exemplary aspect, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel may be used to deliver a lubricant substance to the area between the hinge pin 402 and the knuckle to reduce friction between the two components. In another exemplary aspect, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 may deliver an air jet to the space between the hinge pin 402 and knuckle to remove debris or other particles (e.g., un-fused powder material after printing) between the two components.

[0034] The unitary hinge 400 with retention mechanism 410, fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 including the hinge pin 402 and knuckle 404 may be printed using an AM manufacturing process. The hinge pin 402 and knuckle 404 may be printed together or co-printed with the hinge pin 402 in situ within the knuckle 404. For instance, the unitary hinge 400 may be printed such that the hinge pin 402 is in operable position with the knuckle 404 including the retention portion 410, fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 upon completion of the printing process without further assembly.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of manufacturing a unitary hinge in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. An additive manufacturing process may be used to fabricate or print the unitary hinge (501). The dashed lines and bi-directional arrows of block 501 are present to illustrate that the steps 502, 504 and 506 may be performed in a single manufacturing step. That is, the unitary hinge may be fabricated in a single print process and include a hinge pin and a knuckle configured to be manipulate about the hinge pin. The hinge pin is fabricated at position within the knuckle. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the hinge pin 102 is positioned within the knuckle 104. The hinge pin 102 and the knuckle 104 are concentric such that the knuckle 104 may be rotated around the hinge pin 102.

[0036] In block 504, the AM process may be used to fabricate one or more retention portions to retain the hinge pin within the knuckle. In some aspects, the retention portion may be an axial retention portion that substantially restricts movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle and permitting the knuckle to rotate around the hinge pin. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge pin 202 may be configured with capture mechanism 206. The capture mechanism 206 may be configured as a ring shaped slot or aperture that is concentric with the hinge pin 202. The knuckle 204 may be configured with a corresponding or mating retention mechanism 208. Retention mechanism 208 may be axial and may be positioned along the axis or extend around the hinge pin 202. The slot portion of the capture mechanism 206 may be configured to abut the retention mechanism 208 such that the hinge pin 202 may be retained within the knuckle 204. That is, the configuration of the capture mechanism 206 and the retention mechanism 208 may substantially restrict and in some aspects, prevent translation of the hinge pin 202 within the knuckle 204 in a direction parallel with the knuckle 204, while still permitting the knuckle 204 to be manipulated or rotated about the hinge pin 202.

[0037] In some aspects, the retention portion may be a conical in shape to substantially restrict movement of the hinge pin in a direction parallel to the knuckle. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the hinge may be configured with a conical-shaped portion 306 and the knuckle 304 may be configured with a conical retention mechanism 310. The conical retention mechanism 310 may configured to correspond to or mate with the conical-shaped portion 306. The retention mechanism 310 may be configured to retain the hinge pin 302 within the knuckle 304. Furthermore, the retention mechanism 310 may substantially restrict and in some aspects, prevent translation of the hinge pin 302 within the knuckle 304 in a direction parallel with the knuckle 304 (e.g., in a direction along centerline 314), while still permitting the knuckle 304 to be manipulated or rotated about the hinge pin 302.

[0038] In block 506, a fluid port may be fabricated and configured to provide a fluid between the hinge pin and the knuckle. In block 508, an area between the hinge pin and the knuckle may be vacuumed to remove residual powder material or debris. In some aspects, another fluid may be injected (air) to remove the residual powder material or debris. In block 510, a lubricant may be provided via the fluid port to reduce friction between the hinge pin and the knuckle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the unitary hinge 400 may include a fluid port 416 and a fluid channel 418. The fluid port 416 may be positioned along an external wall of the knuckle 404 or any other external surface of unitary hinge 400. The fluid channel 418 may be coupled to the lubricant port 416 and may extend from the lubricant port 416 to an area between the hinge pin 402 and the knuckle 404. In some aspects, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 may be configured to receive and distribute or deliver a lubricant or other fluid (e.g., air) to an area or space between the knuckle 404 and the hinge pin 402. In one exemplary aspect, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel may be used to deliver a lubricant substance to the area between the hinge pin 402 and the knuckle to reduce friction between the two components. In another exemplary aspect, the fluid port 416 and fluid channel 418 may deliver air to the space between the hinge pin 402 and knuckle to remove debris or other particles (e.g., unmelted powder material after printing) between the two components.

[0039] FIG. 6A is a perspective view 600 of two generic parts 605 and 610 joined together by a concurrently assembled hinge pin 604 and knuckle 609, in accordance with an embodiment. The knuckle 609 further includes a fluid port 606. FIG. 6B is a similar perspective view 602 of two parts 607 and 608 with hinge pin 610 and knuckle 612, but without the fluid port. In FIG. 6A, parts 605 and 610 may be any structure for which hinge operation is needed such as, for example, two sides of a panel. In FIG. 6A, parts 605 and 610 may be similarly situated. A point to be illustrated in FIGS. 6A and B is that whatever the parts are, the hinge pin and knuckle can be concurrently assembled with the two adjoining parts to entirely obviate an extra required step. For example, the adjoining parts can be co-printed along with the hinge pin and knuckle, thereby allowing for a structure that allows movement between parts 605 and 610 (FIG. 6A) relative to one another without requiring an additional production step of fabricating a hinge pin to fit around a knuckle.

[0040] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments presented throughout this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the concepts disclosed herein may be applied to other hinge systems and methods for manufacturing such hinges. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments presented throughout the disclosure, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the exemplary embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), or analogous law in applicable jurisdictions, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase step for.