Compliant Hinge Concept

This design exploits some of the key capabilities of additive manufacturing processes to create an innovative product line. The hinge is a one-piece compliant construction, requiring no additional fastenings, and enabling a tunable "soft close" feel. The geometry - and hence damping profile of the compliant section - can be re-optimised for various specific applications, with no retooling costs. Though the design is intended for a homogenous thermoplastic construction - by altering the thickness of the material to influence stiffness - there is the option of specifying a flexible material for the compliant elements (white), whilst a rigid thermoplastic material could be specified for the scored element (black), to enable higher load-bearing products. The "gripper" geometry is designed for vertical applications (doors) by utilising the weight of the door to provide sufficient retention through friction. The hinge is push-fastened - lifting the door upwards slightly on the hinge releases the gripper friction, for disassembly, without screws. Optionally, the slotted "gripper" fixing geometry could be changed for different applications, such as a printed tenon design, or a compliant dovetail design, dependent upon different applications.