Systems and devices for motion control
Systems and devices to control rotational and/or arcuate motion are provided herein. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing a shear thickening fluid. In some examples, a door closure system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing two opposing springs.
1 . A device for controlling the motion of a door, comprising:
a hinge including a first hinge leaf and a second hinge leaf;
a first spring within a first chamber of the first hinge leaf and connected to a plunger; and
a second spring within a second chamber of the second hinge leaf and configured to contact a surface of the plunger opposite the first spring,
wherein, when one of the first hinge leaf and second hinge leaf is rotated, a screw connected to the plunger rotates such that the plunger moves vertically within the first hinge leaf to vertically compress one of the first or second spring and vertically extend the other of the first or second spring;
a plunger bushing connected to the screw by a pin, the plunger bushing configured to maintain a concentric position of the plunger such that the plunger travels along a central axis while moving with the screw and wherein the pin travels within one or more slots of the plunger bushing during vertical movement of the plunger.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first spring is configured to drive the hinge to close by applying a force against the plunger.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the second spring is configured to resist closure of the hinge by opposing the force against the plunger by the first spring.
4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to rotate with respect to the screw thereby adjusting an amount of resistance experienced by the plunger from the first spring.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the cap includes a cap screw extending into a shaft within the screw.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein rotation of the cap drives the cap screw into or out from the shaft, changing the amount of linear movement of the plunger when the first hinge leaf rotates relative to the second hinge leaf, and thus how far the door can swing open.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plunger bushing is at least partially arranged within the second hinge leaf and configured to substantially maintain a vertical position within the second hinge during rotation of the screw.
8 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a washer platform located in the second chamber and configured to be raised or lowered to change a distance the second spring can be compressed within the second chamber.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the washer platform is configured to be accessed at an end of the second chamber opposite the plunger, such that rotation of the washer platform raises or lowers the washer platform with respect to the plunger.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first spring is compressed or extended within the first chamber as a distance between the plunger bushing and the plunger changes during vertical movement of the screw.
11 . A device for controlling the motion of a door, comprising:
a first spring within a first chamber of a hinge and connected to a piston cartridge;
a plunger connected to the piston cartridge;
a screw connected to the piston cartridge and extending through a threaded portion of a nut, the nut fixed to, and configured to rotate with, a first hinge leaf of the hinge; and
a second spring within a second chamber of the hinge and configured to contact the plunger opposite the first spring,
wherein, when the first hinge leaf is rotated, the nut rotates with the first hinge leaf, which causes the screw to rotate and move vertically, causing the piston cartridge and the plunger to move vertically within the hinge to vertically compress one of the first or second spring and vertically extend the other of the first or second spring.
12 . A device for controlling the motion of a door, comprising:
a hinge including a first hinge leaf and a second hinge leaf;
a first spring within a first chamber of the first hinge leaf and connected to a plunger; and
a second spring within a second chamber of the second hinge leaf and configured to contact a surface of the plunger opposite the first spring, and
a washer platform located in the second chamber and configured to be raised or lowered to change a distance the second spring can be compressed within the second chamber;
wherein, when one of the first hinge leaf and second hinge leaf is rotated, a screw connected to the plunger rotates such that the plunger moves vertically within the first hinge leaf to vertically compress one of the first or second spring and vertically extend the other of the first or second spring.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the washer platform is configured to be accessed at an end of the second chamber opposite the plunger, such that rotation of the washer platform raises or lowers the washer platform with respect to the plunger.
14 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising a nut fixed to, and configured to rotate with, the first hinge leaf, wherein the screw extends through a threaded portion of the nut, such that rotation of the first hinge leaf causes the screw to rotate.
15 . The device of claim 12 , further comprising a cap configured to rotate with respect to the screw thereby adjusting an amount of resistance experienced by the plunger from the first spring.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the cap includes a cap screw extending into a shaft within the screw and wherein rotation of the cap drives the cap screw into or out from the shaft, changing the amount of linear movement of the plunger when the first hinge leaf rotates relative to the second hinge leaf.
17 . A device for controlling the motion of a door, comprising:
a hinge including a first hinge leaf and a second hinge leaf;
a first spring within a first chamber of the first hinge leaf and connected to a plunger; and
a second spring within a second chamber of the second hinge leaf and configured to contact a surface of the plunger opposite the first spring,
wherein, when one of the first hinge leaf and second hinge leaf is rotated, a screw connected to the plunger rotates such that the plunger moves vertically within the first hinge leaf to vertically compress one of the first or second spring and vertically extend the other of the first or second spring;
a plunger bushing connected to the screw by a pin, the plunger bushing configured to maintain a concentric position of the plunger such that the plunger travels along a central axis while moving with the screw and wherein the first spring is compressed or extended within the first chamber as a distance between the plunger bushing and the plunger changes during vertical movement of the screw.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the plunger bushing is configured to substantially maintain a vertical position within the second hinge leaf during rotation of the screw.
19 . The device of claim 17 , further comprising a nut fixed to, and configured to rotate with, the first hinge leaf, wherein the screw extends through a threaded portion of the nut, such that rotation of the first hinge leaf causes the screw to rotate.
20 . The device of claim 17 , further comprising a cap configured to rotate with respect to the screw thereby adjusting an amount of resistance experienced by the plunger from the first spring.
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the cap includes a cap screw extending into a shaft within the screw and wherein rotation of the cap drives the cap screw into or out from the shaft, changing the amount of linear movement of the plunger when the first hinge leaf rotates relative to the second hinge leaf.