Bushing device for a refrigerator and refrigerator

Abstract

This invention relates to a bushing device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet and a door, which are pivotally connected by a hinge and a bushing device. The bushing device includes: a pre-embedded box fixedly connected to a trim strip on the door and having an end opening; a bushing detachably fixed inside the pre-embedded box; and a box cover detachably disposed at the end opening of the pre-embedded box to partially cover the bushing; the box cover has a through hole for a hinge shaft of the hinge to extend into the pre-embedded box and mate with the bushing. This application ensures the fixed relationship between the bushing and the door, and allows for easy removal and replacement of the bushing by simply removing the box cover when the bushing is damaged, obstructed by debris affecting door opening, or when different hinges are required, without replacing the entire door. This reduces the difficulty and cost of bushing maintenance, and allows multiple types of bushings to be used on a single door, achieving modularity of the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to refrigeration and freezing technology, and in particular to a bushing device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional refrigerators, the bushings installed inside the door trim are non-removable after the door body is foamed. This means that one door can only be used with one type of hinge (single-axis or double-axis), preventing modularization of the door. Furthermore, if debris gets into or damages the bushing, it cannot be cleaned or replaced; the only solution is to replace the entire door, leading to difficulties in after-sales maintenance, increased investment, and higher costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to overcome at least one deficiency in the prior art and to provide a bushing device for a replaceable bushing for a refrigerator, so as to achieve door modularization and reduce the difficulty and cost of bushing maintenance.

[0004] A further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to minimize the entry of foreign matter into the bushing, thereby reducing the frequency of bushing maintenance and replacement.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having the aforementioned bushing device.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bushing device for a refrigerator is provided, the refrigerator including a cabinet and a door, the cabinet and the door being pivotally connected to the bushing device via hinges, the bushing device comprising:

[0007] An embedded box is fixedly connected to the decorative strip of the door body and has an end opening;

[0008] The bushing is detachably fixed inside the embedded box; and

[0009] A cover is detachably disposed at the end opening of the embedded box to partially cover the bushing; and the cover has a through hole for the hinge shaft of the hinge to extend into the embedded box and engage with the bushing.

[0010] Optionally, the shape of the through hole on the cover is configured to match the longest movement trajectory of the hinge axis relative to the bushing assembly in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis; wherein

[0011] The longest motion trajectory is the sum of the motion trajectories of the hinge axis relative to the bushing device in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis during the process of the door pivoting from the closed position to the maximum open position.

[0012] Optionally, the bushing is a single-hole bushing with a single hinge hole, used to mate with a hinge with a single hinge axis; and

[0013] The through hole on the box lid is a circular hole.

[0014] Optionally, the bushing is a double-hole bushing with two hinge holes for engaging with a hinge with two hinge axes; each hinge hole is an elongated hole to allow the hinge to rotate about a pivot axis; and

[0015] The through hole on the lid is an irregular hole corresponding to the shape of the two hinge holes.

[0016] Optionally, the bushing and the embedded box are detachably fixedly connected by threaded parts.

[0017] Optionally, the cover and the embedded box are detachably fixedly connected by threaded fittings.

[0018] Optionally, the cover, the bushing, and the embedded box are provided with corresponding threaded holes, so that the cover, the bushing, and the embedded box can be detachably fixedly connected by passing the same threaded part through the threaded holes on the cover, the bushing, and the embedded box in sequence.

[0019] Optionally, the bushing device is located at the top corner of the door body and is used to cooperate with the upper hinge of the refrigerator;

[0020] The embedded box is fixed to the upper trim strip and / or one of the side trim strips of the door body, and its end opening is a top opening.

[0021] Optionally, the bushing assembly further includes:

[0022] A decorative panel is attached to at least the front side of the embedded box to decorate the embedded box.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet and a door, wherein a hinge is fixed on the cabinet and a bushing device as described above is provided on the door, and the hinge shaft of the hinge is rotatably inserted into the bushing of the bushing device so that the cabinet and the door are pivotally connected.

[0024] In the bushing device for refrigerators of the present invention, a pre-embedded box fixed to the door trim and a cover detachably connected to the pre-embedded box are specially designed. The bushing is detachably fixed in the pre-embedded box, which not only ensures the fixed relationship between the bushing and the door, but also allows for easy removal of the cover and replacement of the bushing from the pre-embedded box when the bushing is damaged, debris enters and affects the opening operation, or different hinges need to be used. This eliminates the need to replace the entire door, reducing the difficulty and cost of bushing maintenance. At the same time, a single door can use multiple types of bushings, realizing the modularity of the door.

[0025] Furthermore, this application sets the through hole on the cover used to cover the end opening of the pre-embedded box to match the longest movement trajectory of the hinge shaft relative to the bushing device in a plane perpendicular to the hinge shaft. In other words, the through hole on the cover is made as small as possible while ensuring the normal pivoting of the hinge shaft (i.e., ensuring the normal pivoting of the door body), thereby minimizing the entry of debris into the bushing and reducing the number of times the bushing needs to be repaired and replaced.

[0026] Furthermore, the cover, bushing, and embedded box are detachably fastened together by threaded parts. When the bushing needs to be repaired or replaced, only a few threaded parts need to be removed, which further simplifies the bushing repair and replacement operation and reduces the difficulty.

[0027] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a bushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a door of a refrigerator;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded view of the bushing device applied to a door body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic exploded view of a bushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic exploded view of the bushing device according to another embodiment of the present invention after it is applied to the door body;

[0033] Figure 5This is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention first provides a bushing device for a refrigerator, the refrigerator including a cabinet and a door, the cabinet and the door being pivotally connected by a hinge and a bushing device. Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a bushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a door of a refrigerator. Figure 2 This is a schematic exploded view of the bushing device after being applied to a door body according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic exploded view of a bushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Hinge 30 is also shown. See also Figures 1 to 3 The bushing device 10 of the present invention includes a pre-embedded box 11, a bushing 12 and a box cover 13.

[0035] The embedded box 11 is fixedly connected to the trim strip of the door body 20 and has an end opening 111. Specifically, the embedded box 11 can be pre-connected to the trim strip of the door body 20 by means of screws and / or snap-fit, etc. After the door body 20 is foamed, the embedded box 11 is fixedly connected to the door body 20 and cannot be disassembled. Depending on the position of the hinge that cooperates with the bushing device 10, the end opening 111 on the embedded box 11 can be a top opening, a bottom opening, or an opening in other directions.

[0036] The bushing 12 is detachably fixed inside the embedded box 11. Specifically, the bushing 12 can be installed inside the embedded box 11 through the end opening 111. The bushing 12 can be installed using a threaded fitting, a snap-fit ​​connection, or other detachable connection methods.

[0037] The cover 13 is detachably disposed at the end opening 111 of the embedded box 11 to partially cover the bushing 12. The cover 13 has a through hole 131 for the hinge shaft 31 of the hinge 30 to extend into the embedded box 11 and engage with the bushing 12. Specifically, the cover 13 can be disposed at the end opening 111 of the embedded box 11 by means of a threaded fitting, snap-fit, or other detachable method to cover the end opening 111, thereby partially covering the bushing 12 disposed within the embedded box 11. To avoid affecting the normal use of the bushing 12, the cover 13 has a through hole 131 through which the hinge shaft 31 of the hinge 30, which engages with the bushing assembly 10, extends into the embedded box 11 and is inserted into the bushing 12.

[0038] The bushing device 10 for refrigerators of the present invention features a specially designed embedded box 11 fixed to the door trim and a cover 13 detachably connected to the embedded box 11. The bushing 12 is detachably fixed inside the embedded box 11. This design ensures the fixed relationship between the bushing 12 and the door 20. Furthermore, if the bushing 12 is damaged, becomes contaminated and affects the door opening operation, or needs to be compatible with different hinges, the cover 13 can be removed directly, and the bushing 12 can be removed from the embedded box 11 for replacement without replacing the entire door 20. This reduces the maintenance difficulty and cost of the bushing 12. At the same time, a single door 20 can use multiple types of bushings 12, achieving modularity of the door 20.

[0039] In some embodiments, the shape of the through hole 131 on the cover 13 is configured to match the longest movement trajectory of the hinge shaft 31 relative to the bushing assembly 10 in a plane perpendicular to the hinge shaft 31. This longest movement trajectory is the sum of the movement trajectories of the hinge shaft 31 relative to the bushing assembly 10 in a plane perpendicular to the hinge shaft 31 during the process of the door 20 pivoting from the closed position to the maximum open position. In other words, the through hole 131 on the cover 13 is made as small as possible while ensuring normal pivoting of the hinge shaft 31 (i.e., ensuring normal pivoting of the door), thereby minimizing the entry of debris into the bushing 12 and reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement of the bushing 12.

[0040] Understandably, during the pivoting of the door 20 relative to the housing, since the hinge 30 is fixed to the housing and the housing is absolutely stationary, the hinge 30 is also absolutely stationary; the bushing device 10 is fixed to the door 20, and since the door 20 pivots, the bushing device 10 is absolutely moving. However, movement is relative. During the pivoting of the door 20, the hinge 30 can be considered to move relative to the bushing device 10. During the pivoting process of the door 20 from the closed position to the maximum open position, the sum of all the movement trajectories of the hinge 30 relative to the bushing device 10 constitutes its longest movement trajectory. The shape of the through hole 131 matches the shape of this longest movement trajectory to avoid structural interference with the cover 13 during the pivoting process of the hinge 30 relative to the bushing device 10.

[0041] In some embodiments, the bushing 12 may be a double-hole bushing with two hinge holes 121 for engaging with a hinge 30 having two hinge axes 31. Each hinge hole 121 is an elongated hole to allow the hinge 30 to rotate about the pivot axis. Correspondingly, the through hole 131 on the cover 13 is an irregular hole corresponding to the shape of the two hinge holes 121. This bushing assembly 10 is suitable for built-in refrigerators.

[0042] Figure 4This is a schematic exploded view of the bushing device according to another embodiment of the present invention after it has been applied to a door body. For ease of understanding, Figure 4 The image also shows a hinge 40 that mates with the bushing assembly. In other embodiments, the bushing 12 may be a single-hole bushing with a single hinge hole 121 for mates with the hinge 40, which has a single hinge axis 41. The hinge hole 121 may be a circular hole to allow the hinge 40 to rotate about a stationary axis. Accordingly, the through hole 131 on the cover 13 is a circular hole. This bushing assembly 10 is suitable for ordinary refrigerators.

[0043] In some embodiments, the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11 are detachably fixedly connected by a first threaded member 15. Specifically, the first threaded member 15 can be a screw, bolt, or other threaded connector. The bushing 12 may be provided with a first threaded hole 122 for the first threaded member 15 to pass through, and the embedded box 11 has a second threaded hole 112 for the first threaded member 15 to pass through. The first threaded member 15 passes through the first threaded hole 122 and the second threaded hole 112 sequentially from the outside to the inside, thereby detachably fixing the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11. The number of first threaded members 15 can be one, two, or more than three.

[0044] In some embodiments, the cover 13 and the embedded box 11 are detachably fixedly connected by a threaded component. Specifically, the threaded component can be a screw, bolt, or other threaded connector.

[0045] In some embodiments, the cover 13, bushing 12, and embedded box 11 are provided with corresponding threaded holes, so that the cover 13, bushing 12, and embedded box 11 can be detachably fixedly connected by the same second threaded member 14 passing through the threaded holes in the cover 13, bushing 12, and embedded box 11 in sequence. Specifically, the second threaded member 14 can be a screw, bolt, or other threaded connector. The number of second threaded members 14 can be one, two, or more. The cover 13 may be provided with a third threaded hole 132 for the second threaded member 14 to pass through, the bushing 12 may be provided with a fourth threaded hole 123 for the second threaded member 14 to pass through, and the embedded box 11 may be provided with a fifth threaded hole 113 for the second threaded member 14 to pass through. The second threaded member 14 passes through the third threaded hole 132, the fourth threaded hole 123, and the fifth threaded hole 113 in sequence from the outside to the inside, thereby detachably fixing the cover 13, bushing 12, and embedded box 11.

[0046] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, after the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11 are detachably fixedly connected by two first threaded parts 15, the box cover 13, the bushing 12, and the embedded box 11 are further detachably fixedly connected by a second threaded part 14, thereby strengthening the connection strength and reliability between the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11, and between the box cover 13 and the embedded box 11. The second threaded part 14 and the two first threaded parts 15 can be arranged in a triangle to further strengthen the connection strength and reliability between the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11, and between the box cover 13 and the embedded box 11.

[0047] In practical applications, when debris falls into the hinge hole 121 of the bushing 12 and affects its normal use, or when the bushing 12 is damaged and needs to be replaced, or when the door 20 needs to be used in different refrigerators 10 (for example, when it needs to be switched from a double-axis hinge cabinet to a single-axis hinge cabinet), it is only necessary to remove the threaded parts 14 and 15, replace the bushing 12 or replace the corresponding cover 13 at the same time, and then screw on the threaded parts 14 and 15. The operation is very simple and convenient.

[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the bushing 12 and the embedded box 11, as well as the box cover 13 and the embedded box 11, can also be detachably fixedly connected by snap-fit ​​or other suitable means.

[0049] In some embodiments, the bushing assembly 10 may be located at the top corner of the door body 20 for engaging with the upper hinge of the refrigerator. The embedded box 11 is fixed to the upper trim 21 and / or one of the side trim 22 of the door body 20, and its end opening 111 is a top opening. After the door body 20 is foamed, the embedded box 11 is fixedly connected to the door body 20 and cannot be disassembled.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, the bushing assembly 10 may also engage with the central hinge of the refrigerator or a hinge at another location.

[0051] In some embodiments, the bushing assembly 10 further includes a decorative plate 16, which is attached at least to the front side of the embedded box 11 to decorate the embedded box 11. Specifically, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the decorative panel 16 is attached to the front side and one of the lateral sides of the embedded box 11 to provide a better decorative effect.

[0052] The present invention also provides a refrigerator, Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 5 The refrigerator 1 provided by the present invention includes a cabinet 50 and a door 20.

[0053] Specifically, a hinge 30 is fixed on the housing 50, and a bushing device 10 as described in any of the above embodiments is provided on the door 20. The hinge shaft of the hinge 30 is rotatably inserted into the bushing 12 of the bushing device 10 so that the housing 50 and the door 20 can be pivotally connected.

[0054] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the bushing device 10 is located at the top corner of the door body 20, and the hinge 30 is the upper hinge of the housing 50. In other embodiments, the bushing device 10 is located at other corners of the door body 20, and the hinge 30 can be the middle hinge or other hinges of the housing 50.

[0055] Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise specified, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "horizontal," "front," and "rear" used in the embodiments of the present invention to indicate orientation or positional relationship are based on the actual usage state of the refrigerator 1. These terms are only for the purpose of describing and understanding the technical solution of the present invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0056] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A bushing device for a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising a cabinet and a door, characterized in that, The housing and the door are pivotally connected by a hinge and a bushing assembly, the bushing assembly comprising: An embedded box is fixedly connected to the decorative strip of the door body and has an end opening; The bushing is detachably fixed inside the embedded box; and A cover is detachably disposed at the end opening of the embedded box to partially cover the bushing; and the cover has a through hole for the hinge shaft of the hinge to extend into the embedded box and cooperate with the bushing. The shape of the through hole on the cover is configured to match the longest movement trajectory of the hinge axis relative to the bushing assembly in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis; wherein The longest motion trajectory is the sum of the motion trajectories of the hinge axis relative to the bushing device in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis during the process of the door pivoting from the closed position to the maximum open position.

2. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing is a single-hole bushing with a single hinge hole, used to mate with a hinge with a single hinge shaft; and The through hole on the box lid is a circular hole.

3. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing is a double-hole bushing with two hinge holes for engaging with a hinge with two hinge axes; each hinge hole is an elongated hole to allow the hinge to rotate about a pivot axis; and The through hole on the lid is an irregular hole corresponding to the shape of the two hinge holes.

4. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing and the embedded box are detachably fixedly connected by threaded parts.

5. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box cover and the embedded box are detachably fixed together by threaded parts.

6. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover, the bushing, and the embedded box are provided with threaded holes in corresponding positions, so that the cover, the bushing, and the embedded box can be detachably and fixedly connected by passing the same threaded part through the threaded holes in the cover, the bushing, and the embedded box in sequence.

7. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing device is located at the top corner of the door and is used to cooperate with the upper hinge of the refrigerator; The embedded box is fixed to the upper trim strip and / or one of the side trim strips of the door body, and its end opening is a top opening.

8. The bushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A decorative panel is attached to at least the front side of the embedded box to decorate the embedded box.

9. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet and a door, characterized in that, A hinge is fixed on the housing, and a bushing device as described in any one of claims 1-8 is provided on the door. The hinge shaft of the hinge is rotatably inserted into the bushing of the bushing device, so that the housing and the door are pivotally connected.

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