Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator (10) includes a cabinet (12) having a storage compartment (14) therein, a door (16) openable and closable to the storage compartment (14), a flap (32), and a hinge assembly (62) including a hinge moving member (64) and a hinge fixing member (44) connecting the door (16) and the flap (32), one of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) defining a track (70) including a first end portion (66) and a second end portion (68), and the other of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) having a stop portion (72) adapted to be rotated along the track (70) between the first end portion (66) and the second end portion (68).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to household appliances, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Some refrigerators use a flap to improve the door's seal when closed. When the door is opened, the flap needs to rotate at a certain angle, which can easily cause impacts to door hangers (such as door shelves), leading to damage or noise. Existing solutions sometimes affect aesthetics and / or increase parts costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved refrigerator.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet having a storage compartment therein; a door capable of opening and closing the storage compartment; a flap; and a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly including a hinge moving member and a hinge fixing member connecting the door and the flap, one of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member defining a trajectory including a first end and a second end, the other of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member having a limiting portion adapted to rotate along the trajectory between the first end and the second end.

[0005] In some embodiments, one of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member includes a receiving groove communicating with the trajectory, and the other of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member includes a main body portion accommodated in the receiving groove, and the limiting portion protrudes from the main body portion into the trajectory.

[0006] In some embodiments, the receiving slot includes a receiving space with a fan-shaped cross-section, and the trajectory includes a limiting space with an annular cross-section.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first end and the second end are respectively connected to the receiving space.

[0008] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the annular cross-section of the limiting space is larger than the diameter of the sector-shaped cross-section of the receiving space.

[0009] In some embodiments, the main body is cylindrical, and the limiting part is a protruding rib on the main body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the main body is hollow inside.

[0011] In some embodiments, one of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member includes a first mating portion having the trajectory and the receiving groove internally disposed therein, and the other of the hinge moving member and the hinge fixing member includes a second mating portion that abuts against the first mating portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the main body and the limiting portion extend from the second docking portion toward the first docking portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first docking portion includes a first docking surface, and the second docking portion includes a second docking surface that abuts against the first docking surface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first mating surface and the second mating surface are mutually conforming curved surfaces.

[0015] In some embodiments, the dimensions of the main body and the limiting portion are smaller than those of the second docking portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the hinge fixing member includes the trajectory, and the hinge moving member includes the limiting portion.

[0017] Where technical conditions permit, the subject matter protected by any independent claim in this application may be combined with any single or multiple subjects protected by any appended claims to form a new protected subject matter.

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals may be used in the drawings to refer to the same or similar elements, shapes, and structures in different embodiments, and descriptions of the same or similar elements, shapes, and structures in different embodiments, as well as descriptions of prior art elements, shapes, structures, features, effects, etc., may be omitted. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the right-side door is omitted;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial sectional view of the refrigerator door;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial assembly diagram of the refrigerator door and flap;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial explosion diagram of the refrigerator door;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partial assembly diagram of the refrigerator door;

[0024] Figure 6 and Figure 3 Similar, but with the addition of a cover;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A partial assembly diagram of the flip-top refrigerator;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly of a refrigerator.

[0027] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A perspective view of the hinge fastener of the hinge assembly; and

[0028] Figure 10 for Figure 8 A perspective view of the hinge moving parts of the central hinge assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0029] like Figure 1 , 7 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator 10, which includes a cabinet 12 and a storage compartment 14 inside the cabinet 12.

[0030] Refrigerator 10 includes a door 16, which can open and close the storage compartment 14.

[0031] The refrigerator 10 includes a flap 32. The flap 32 is connected to the door 16. The flap 32 is rotatably connected to the door 16 to close the gap between the door 16 and another door (not shown) adjacent to the door 16.

[0032] The refrigerator 10 includes a hinge assembly 62, which includes a hinge moving member 64 and a hinge fixing member 44 connecting the door 16 and the flap 32. One of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 defines a trajectory 70 including a first end 66 and a second end 68, and the other of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 has a limiting portion 72 adapted to rotate along the trajectory 70 between the first end 66 and the second end 68.

[0033] The refrigerator 10 can be of any suitable type. The body 12, storage compartment 14, and door 16 can include any suitable shape and structure. The door 16 can include two or more doors, which can be arranged side by side. Figure 1 The right-hand door (not shown) is omitted to more clearly illustrate the positional relationship between door 16 and flap 32. The refrigerator 10 can improve the sealing between adjacent doors 16 when they are closed via flap 32.

[0034] During the opening or closing of the door 16, the guide portion 33 at the end of the flap 32 and the guide structure 35 on the cabinet 12 cooperate to drive the flap 32 to rotate. As the flap 32 rotates, the hinge moving part 64 rotates simultaneously with the flap 32. When it rotates to its designed maximum position, the limiting part 72 abuts against one of the first end 66 and the second end 68, preventing the flap 32 from rotating further. This significantly reduces the likelihood of the flap 32 colliding with other components on the door 16 (such as the door shelf, not shown). When collisions between the flap 32 and other components of the door 16 are avoided or reduced in frequency, the likelihood of noise generation is significantly reduced, which also helps extend the lifespan of the refrigerator 10. Furthermore, controlling the flipping angle of the flap 32 through the hinge assembly 62 helps to maintain aesthetics without significantly increasing component costs.

[0035] In some embodiments, one of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 includes a receiving groove 74 communicating with the trajectory 70, and the other of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 includes a main body portion 76 accommodated in the receiving groove 74, with a limiting portion 72 protruding from the main body portion 76 into the trajectory 70. The main body portion 76 can rotate within the receiving groove 74, causing the limiting portion 72 to rotate along the trajectory 70, which is beneficial in that it does not affect the aesthetics or increase the cost of the parts.

[0036] The receiving slot 74 and the track 70 may include any suitable shape and configuration. Please refer to the following: Figure 9 In some embodiments, the receiving slot 74 includes a receiving space 78 with a fan-shaped cross-section. The trajectory 70 includes a limiting space 80 with an annular cross-section. This facilitates the main body 76 being received in the receiving space 78, while the limiting part 72 protrudes from the main body 76 into the limiting space 80. In some embodiments, the first end 66 and the second end 68 are respectively connected to the receiving space 78. This facilitates controlling the movement of the limiting part 72 within the trajectory 70 to limit the flipping range of the flap 32.

[0037] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the annular cross-section of the limiting space 80 is larger than the diameter of the sector cross-section of the receiving space 78. This facilitates the housing of the main body 76 within the receiving space 78, while the limiting part 72 protrudes from the main body 76 into the limiting space 80. The size of the main body 76 may be less than or equal to the diameter of the sector cross-section of the receiving space 78, and the size of the limiting part 72 may be less than or equal to the difference between the outer and inner diameters of the limiting space 80.

[0038] The main body 76 and the limiting part 72 may include any suitable shape and structure. For example... Figure 10 As shown, in some embodiments, the main body 76 is cylindrical, and the limiting part 72 is a protruding rib on the main body 76. This facilitates the rotation of the limiting part 72 by the main body 76.

[0039] In some embodiments, the main body 76 is hollow. The hollow main body 76 can help reduce the weight of the hinge assembly 62 and allows the main body 76 to have a certain degree of flexibility, thus providing a certain margin when assembled with the receiving space 78.

[0040] In some embodiments, one of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 includes a first mating portion 82 with an internal track 70 and a receiving groove 74, and the other of the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44 includes a second mating portion 84 that abuts against the first mating portion 82. The abutment of the first mating portion 82 and the second mating portion 84 facilitates the cooperation of the track 70 and the receiving groove 74 with the limiting portion 72 and the main body portion 76, respectively.

[0041] In some embodiments, the main body 76 and the limiting part 72 extend from the second docking part 84 toward the first docking part 82. This facilitates the engagement of the trajectory 70 and the receiving groove 74 with the limiting part 72 and the main body 76, respectively, when the second docking part 84 abuts against the first docking part 82.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first mating portion 82 includes a first mating surface 86, and the second mating portion 84 includes a second mating surface 88 that abuts against the first mating surface 86. The abutment between the first mating surface 86 and the second mating surface 88 facilitates a surface-to-surface fit between the hinge moving member 64 and the hinge fixing member 44.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first mating surface 86 and the second mating surface 88 are mutually fitted curved surfaces. This can help improve the reliability of the engagement between the first mating surface 86 and the second mating surface 88.

[0044] In some embodiments, the dimensions of the main body 76 and the limiting part 72 are smaller than those of the second docking part 84. This allows the main body 76 and the limiting part 72 to be accommodated in the receiving groove 74 and the track 70, making movement less susceptible to interference and without affecting the appearance or increasing the cost of parts.

[0045] The trajectory 70, the limiting portion 72, and other corresponding shapes and structures can be located in either the hinge fixing member 44 or the hinge moving member 64. In some embodiments, the hinge fixing member 44 includes the trajectory 70, and the hinge moving member 64 includes the limiting portion 72. Thus, when the hinge moving member 64 moves, it can drive the limiting portion to rotate within the trajectory 70 of the hinge fixing member 44.

[0046] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 1 and 3, another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a refrigerator 10, which includes a cabinet 12 and a storage compartment 14 inside the cabinet 12.

[0047] The refrigerator 10 includes a door 16 that can open and close the storage compartment 14. The door 16 includes an inner liner 18, a front panel 20, and insulation material 24 located at least partially within an insulation space 22 between the front panel 20 and the inner liner 18.

[0048] The door 16 may include a reinforcement 26. The reinforcement 26 extends along the inner side 28 of the inner liner 18 facing the insulated space 22. The reinforcement 26 may include a first connecting portion 30 extending out of the inner liner 18.

[0049] The refrigerator 10 includes a flap 32 connected to the door 16. The flap 32 is rotatably connected to the door 16 to close the gap between the door 16 and another door (not shown) adjacent to the door 16.

[0050] The refrigerator 10 includes a connecting assembly 34, which connects the flap 32 and the door 16. The connecting assembly 34 is connected to the first connecting part 30.

[0051] The refrigerator 10 can be of any suitable type. The body 12, storage compartment 14, and door 16 can include any suitable shape and structure. The door 16 can include two or more doors, which can be arranged side by side. Figure 1 The right-hand door (not shown) is omitted to more clearly illustrate the positional relationship between door 16 and flap 32. The refrigerator 10 can improve the seal between door 16 and adjacent doors 16 when closed via flap 32.

[0052] The first connecting part 30 of the connecting assembly 34, which connects the flap 32 and the door 16 to the reinforcing member 26, can help improve the assembly accuracy between the flap 32 and the door 16, and also help reduce the assembly complexity.

[0053] The inner liner 18 and the first connecting portion 30 can be arranged relative to each other in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the inner liner 18 includes a protrusion 36 that projects toward the storage compartment 14 when the door 16 is closed. The protrusion 36 extends into the storage compartment 14 when the door 16 is closed. The protrusion 36 may be provided with a fixing structure 37 for securing a door shelf (not shown).

[0054] The protrusion 36 includes a recess 38 facing the storage compartment 14 and recessed in a direction away from the storage compartment 14, and the first connecting portion 30 extends into the recess 38.

[0055] The first connecting part 30 extends into the recessed part 38 and connects with the flap 32, making it possible for the flap 32 to require less space to flip. When the required flip space for the flap 32 is reduced, it is beneficial to increase the usable space of the refrigerator 10.

[0056] The reinforcing member 26 can be disposed relative to the recess 38 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, at least in one cross section 40, the reinforcing member 26 has a shape adapted to the recess 38. This facilitates the positioning of the reinforcing member 26 relative to the recess 38, and consequently the positioning of the flap 32 relative to the door 16, as well as ensuring high assembly accuracy and reducing assembly difficulty during installation.

[0057] The first connecting portion 30 can extend out of the inner liner 18 in any suitable shape or configuration. The connecting assembly 34 can include any suitable shape or configuration and connect to the first connecting portion 30. Please refer to... Figure 4 In some embodiments, the inner liner 18 includes a first window 42 exposing the first connecting portion 30, and the connecting assembly 34 includes a hinge fastener 44 fixed to the first connecting portion 30. The first connecting portion 30 can extend out of the inner liner 18 from the first window 42 to be fixed with the hinge fastener 44 of the connecting assembly 34, which is beneficial for positioning the flap 32 relative to the door 16, and for achieving high assembly accuracy between the flap 32 and the door 16 during installation, thus reducing assembly difficulty.

[0058] The first window 42 may include any suitable shape and configuration, adapted to the shape and configuration of the first connecting portion 30. The opening direction of the first window 42 helps determine the engagement direction of the first connecting portion 30 and the connecting assembly 34, and consequently, the installation direction of the flap 32 relative to the door 16. In some embodiments, the first window 42 opens in a forward-backward direction. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-backward direction herein refers to the direction relative to the user of the refrigerator 10; that is, the closer one is when facing the user, the forward direction is considered forward, and vice versa. The forward-backward opening of the first window 42 helps to reduce the flipping space required for the flap 32, thereby increasing the usable space of the refrigerator 10.

[0059] The hinge fastener 44 may include any suitable shape or construction. In some embodiments, the hinge fastener 44 includes a second connecting portion 46 and a third connecting portion 48, the second connecting portion 46 being combined with the first connecting portion 30, and the third connecting portion 48 being connected to the flap 32. The hinge fastener 44 may facilitate the connection between the door 16 and the flap 32.

[0060] The extending directions of the second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48 can help determine the relative assembly direction of the flap 32 and the door 16. In some embodiments, the second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48 extend in parallel. This facilitates the flap 32 and the door 16 extending in relative parallel after assembly.

[0061] The second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48 can be arranged relative to each other in any suitable shape or configuration. In some embodiments, the hinge fastener 44 includes an intermediate portion 50 connecting the second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48, the intermediate portion 50 extending in a different direction than the second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48. This facilitates the second connecting portion 46 and the third connecting portion 48 being spaced apart from each other and respectively connecting the door 16 and the flap 32.

[0062] The middle portion 50 can extend in any suitable direction. In some embodiments, the direction in which the middle portion 50 extends is different from the length direction of the inner liner 18. This facilitates the connection of the hinge fastener 44 with the door 16 and the flap 32, which are parallel in length direction.

[0063] The reinforcing member 26 and the connecting assembly 34 may include any suitable shape and construction to fit together. For example... Figure 5 , 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member 26 includes a fourth connecting portion 52 extending out of the inner liner 18, and the connecting assembly 34 includes a cover 54 connected to the fourth connecting portion 52. The cover 54 can be adapted to the shape and structure of other parts of the protrusion 36. After the cover 54 is connected to the fourth connecting portion 52, the outer contour of the cover 54 is comparable to the outer contour of other parts of the protrusion 36, which can help maintain the shape continuity of the inner liner 18.

[0064] The cover 54 can be of any suitable shape and configuration to cooperate with the fourth connecting portion 52. In some embodiments, the cover 54 covers the first connecting portion 30 and the fourth connecting portion 52. The cover 54 can help prevent the first connecting portion 30 and the fourth connecting portion 52 from interfering with other parts of the refrigerator 10, and / or prevent debris from falling into the recess 38.

[0065] The number of fourth connecting portions 52 may be more than one. When there is more than one fourth connecting portion 52, in some embodiments, the fourth connecting portions 52 are distributed on both sides of the first connecting portion 30. This can improve the stability of the connection between the fourth connecting portion 52 and the cover 54.

[0066] The second connecting portion 46 can engage with the first connecting portion 30 at any suitable angle and orientation. In some embodiments, the distance between the first connecting portion 30 and the fourth connecting portion 52 on one side is greater than or equal to the width of the second connecting portion 46. This facilitates the movement of the second connecting portion 46 from the gap between the first connecting portion 30 and the fourth connecting portion 52, which is at a distance greater than or equal to its width, toward the first connecting portion 30 to engage with it.

[0067] The reinforcing member 26 may include any suitable shape or configuration other than those described above. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 2In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 26 includes a base 56 located within the heat-insulating space 22, from which a first connecting portion 30 extends. The base 56 can be combined with the inner side 28 of the inner liner 18, which facilitates the fit between the reinforcing member 26 and the inner liner 18 and prevents the reinforcing member 26 from falling off the inner liner 18.

[0068] In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 26 includes a first positioning portion 58 extending from both ends of the base 56, and the inner liner 18 includes a second positioning portion 60 that engages with the first positioning portion 58. The engagement of the first positioning portion 58 and the second positioning portion 60 can facilitate the positioning of the reinforcing member 26 relative to the inner liner 18.

[0069] The reinforcing member 26 can be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 26 is made of plastic. This facilitates the bonding of the reinforcing member 26 with the inner liner 18.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 7 The flap 32 includes a first mounting portion 90 and a second mounting portion 92 disposed opposite to the first mounting portion 90. The third connecting portion 48 of the hinge fixing member 44 abuts against the first mounting portion 90, and the hinge moving member 64 includes a third mounting portion 94 that abuts against the second mounting portion 92. The first mounting portion 90 and the second mounting portion 92 can fix the mutually cooperating hinge moving member 64 and hinge fixing member 44 between each other and install them on the flap 32.

[0071] The third mounting portion 94 extends from the second mating portion 84 in a direction opposite to that of the main body portion 76 and is smaller in size than the second mating portion 84. The hinge assembly 62 includes an elastic member 96 located between the second mating portion 84 and the third mounting portion 94. The elastic member 96 can be sleeved onto the third mounting portion 94. The elastic member 96 can be a spring, which helps to provide elasticity for the mounting and movement of the hinge assembly 62.

[0072] The various specific embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the entirety of the invention. Any modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic technical concept of this invention are within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (10), characterized in that... ,include: The box (12) has a storage room (14) inside; Door (16), which can open and close the storage room (14); Flip-board (32); and A hinge assembly (62) comprising a hinge moving member (64) and a hinge fixing member (44) connecting the door (16) and the flap (32), one of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) defining a trajectory (70) including a first end (66) and a second end (68), the other of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) having a limiting portion (72) adapted to rotate along the trajectory (70) between the first end (66) and the second end (68); One of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) is provided with a receiving groove (74) communicating with the trajectory (70), and the other of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) includes a main body (76) accommodated in the receiving groove (74), and the limiting part (72) protrudes from the main body (76) into the trajectory (70).

2. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving slot (74) includes a receiving space (78) with a fan-shaped cross-section, and the trajectory (70) includes a limiting space (80) with an annular cross-section.

3. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first end (66) and the second end (68) are respectively connected to the receiving space (78).

4. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the annular cross-section of the limiting space (80) is larger than the diameter of the sector cross-section of the receiving space (78).

5. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (76) is cylindrical, and the limiting part (72) is a protruding rib on the main body (76).

6. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (76) is hollow inside.

7. The refrigerator (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, One of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) includes a first docking portion (82) incorporating the trajectory (70) and the receiving groove (74), and the other of the hinge moving member (64) and the hinge fixing member (44) includes a second docking portion (84) that abuts against the first docking portion (82).

8. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The main body (76) and the limiting part (72) extend from the second docking part (84) toward the first docking part (82).

9. The refrigerator (10) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first docking part (82) includes a first docking surface (86), and the second docking part (84) includes a second docking surface (88) that abuts against the first docking surface (86).

10. The refrigerator (10) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The first mating surface (86) and the second mating surface (88) are mutually fitting curved surfaces.

11. The refrigerator (10) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The dimensions of the main body (76) and the limiting part (72) are smaller than those of the second docking part (84).

12. The refrigerator (10) as described in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The hinge fixing member (44) includes the trajectory (70), and the hinge moving member (64) includes the limiting part (72).

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