scharnierende

Scharnierende is a German term used in engineering, architecture, and related fields to describe joints and connections that allow rotation between two parts around a fixed axis. In practice, scharnierende Verbindungen correspond to hinges, enabling angular movement with typically one degree of freedom. They are essential for controlling access, visibility, or folding in a wide range of assemblies.

Technically, a hinge consists of at least two leaves connected by a pin or axle. The axis runs along the hinge line, and movement is produced by rotation of one part relative to the other about this axis. Leaves can be mortised into or mounted on surfaces, and the design affects load capacity, wear, clearance, and ease of operation. Variants include butt hinges, concealed or hidden hinges, piano hinges, and spring or self-closing types, as well as specialized forms for doors, lids, or panels.

Applications span everyday furniture and architectural elements to machinery and robotics. Doors, cabinet doors, laptop lids, and folding chairs frequently employ scharnierende connections. In robotics and kinematics, scharniergelenke are equivalent to revolute joints, providing rotational motion around a single axis.

Design and maintenance considerations emphasize material choice, lubrication, corrosion resistance, and precise alignment to minimize wear and play. Installation tolerances, mounting surface flatness, and appropriate fasteners influence long-term performance. The term emphasizes both the functional capability of rotation and the mechanical means by which it is achieved.

See also: hinge, hinge joint, revolute joint.