A door body drooping prevention structure and household appliance

Abstract

The application discloses a door body drooping prevention structure and household appliance. The door body drooping prevention structure comprises a driving component which is used for buffering when the door body is closed and can drive the extension or retraction of the second component; the first component and the second component can generate repulsive force; the first component is located above the second component in the closed state of the door body. The first component and the second component can generate repulsive magnetic force. After the door body is closed, the first component receives the upward force from the second component, that is, the upward force provided to the door body, which can offset the gravity of the door body and avoid the drooping of the door body. The telescopic driving component and the second component are arranged, so that the door body first touches the driving component to provide the first buffering force to the door body during the closing of the door body. Then, the second component extends outward, the second component can provide the first component with outward and upward repulsive force, dampens the closing of the door body, provides the second heavy buffering force to the door body, avoids the collision between the door body and the cabinet, and is beneficial to improving the service life of the household appliance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, specifically relating to an anti-door sagging structure and a household appliance having the anti-door sagging structure. Background Technology

[0002] In household appliances with doors, the door, which can be opened and closed, is located at the opening of the outer casing and is assembled to the casing via hinges. With the use of heavier materials such as glass in the doors, and the fact that doors also serve a storage function, the doors are becoming increasingly heavy. This causes the hinges to frequently deform under stress, resulting in door sagging. Especially in household appliances where the door is not located within the door frame when closed, and the door frame cannot support the door, but rather the door rests against the opening of the casing, this exerts a downward torque on the hinges even when the door is closed. For heavier doors, sagging is almost unavoidable.

[0003] Slight door sagging only affects aesthetics and has little impact on the use of household appliances, but it does affect product quality and can damage the brand image; severe door sagging directly affects the closing process and may even prevent the door from sealing properly after closing.

[0004] To prevent door sagging, the current method is generally to increase the rigidity of the door hinges. However, this can only slow down the sagging speed. The downward torque on the hinges is always present, and it cannot fundamentally prevent door sagging. During long-term use of household appliances, door sagging will still occur.

[0005] Currently, some systems incorporate fixed supports at the bottom of the door. When the door is closed, these supports lift the drooping door upwards, ensuring a tight seal. For example, patent 201820853670.1 discloses a high-voltage cabinet including a cabinet body with a door. A magnetic buffer is located on the inner side of the door, adhering to the side of the front frame of the cabinet. A door guide support is located on the lower inner side of the door, engaging with the lower part of the front frame to lift and guide the door onto it. When the drooping door is pushed to close, rollers roll along the lower part of the front frame, lifting and guiding the door onto it, eliminating the need for manual lifting and saving time and effort. This prevents door sagging and sealing issues.

[0006] In addition, with the fast pace of life, many users shake the door with their hands when closing it, which causes significant vibration to the door and the appliance, posing a risk of damage. Therefore, it is essential to install a buffer device.

[0007] The information disclosed in this background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this application, and therefore may include prior art that is not known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this invention proposes an anti-sag door structure that provides a buffer when the door is closed and applies an upward force to the door when it is closed, thus preventing the door from sagging.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution:

[0010] A door sagging prevention structure, wherein the door is closable and mounted on a housing, the door sagging prevention structure comprising:

[0011] The first component is located on the door body;

[0012] The second component is retractably mounted on the housing;

[0013] A drive component, which serves to buffer when the door is closed and can drive the extension or retraction of the second component;

[0014] The first component and the second component can generate a repulsive force; when the door is closed, the first component is located above the second component.

[0015] Furthermore, in the closed state of the door, the second component exerts an upward and inward repulsive force on the first component.

[0016] Furthermore, the first component is located above and inside the second component.

[0017] Furthermore, when the door is closed, the second component extends outward, and the second component can exert an outward and upward repulsive force on the first component, damping the closing of the door and providing a buffer for the door.

[0018] Furthermore, the drive component serves as a buffer when the door is closed, and utilizes the force applied when the door is closed to drive the extension of the second component.

[0019] Furthermore, the door is hinged to the housing, and the first component is located on the side of the door away from the hinge axis and at the lower part of the door.

[0020] Furthermore, the drive component has a retractable buffer rod, an elastic element that can push the buffer rod out, and a connecting rod assembly for transmitting the force on the buffer rod to the second component.

[0021] Furthermore, the extension and retraction state of the buffer rod is the opposite of that of the second component.

[0022] Furthermore, a second telescopic hole is provided on the housing, and the buffer rod is telescopically located within the second telescopic hole.

[0023] Furthermore, the elastic element is located within the second telescopic hole and is used to push the buffer rod out.

[0024] Furthermore, the connecting rod assembly has a first connecting rod hinged to the buffer rod and a second connecting rod hinged to the second component, wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are hinged together.

[0025] Furthermore, the first connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the housing, and the first connecting rod has a bushing extending in the vertical direction, a first extension section extending from one end of the bushing toward the buffer rod, and a second extension section extending from the other end of the bushing toward the second connecting rod.

[0026] Furthermore, the first extension is hinged to the buffer rod.

[0027] Furthermore, the second extension is hinged to the second connecting rod.

[0028] Furthermore, the length of the second extension segment is greater than the length of the first extension segment.

[0029] Furthermore, a first telescopic hole is provided on the housing, and the second component is telescopically located within the first telescopic hole.

[0030] Furthermore, it also includes a communicating cavity formed on the housing and connecting the first telescopic hole and the second telescopic hole, wherein the connecting rod assembly is movably located within the communicating cavity.

[0031] Furthermore, both the first and second components are permanent magnets.

[0032] Furthermore, the first component and / or the second component is an electromagnet.

[0033] Furthermore, when the door is closed, the buffer rod retracts inward, and the second component extends outward.

[0034] Furthermore, when the door is opened, the buffer rod extends outward, and the second component retracts inward.

[0035] Based on the above-mentioned anti-door sagging structure, the present invention also provides a method for operating the anti-door sagging structure, which achieves buffering when the door is closed, and applies an upward force to the door when it is closed to prevent the door from sagging and accidentally opening.

[0036] A method for operating the anti-sag door structure includes a door closing step:

[0037] When the door is closed, after the door contacts the buffer rod, the door pushes the buffer rod to retract inward, causing the buffer rod to compress the elastic element. The elastic element applies a force to the buffer rod to extend outward, which is transmitted to the door. At the same time, the inward retraction of the buffer rod pushes the second component to extend outward.

[0038] Furthermore, it also includes the door opening procedure:

[0039] When the door is opened, the buffer rod extends outward under the push of the elastic element, and the extension of the buffer rod causes the second component to retract inward.

[0040] Based on the aforementioned anti-door sagging structure, the present invention also provides a household appliance having the anti-door sagging structure, which achieves buffering when the door is closed, and applies an upward force to the door when it is closed to prevent the door from sagging.

[0041] A household appliance includes a housing, an openable and closable door disposed on the housing, and the aforementioned anti-door sagging structure.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are as follows: The first and second components can generate a repulsive force. After the door is closed, the first component receives an upward repulsive force from the second component, which provides an upward supporting force to the door, offsetting part or all of the door's weight and effectively preventing sagging. By making the second component retractable, it extends outward during door closing, providing an outward and upward repulsive force to the first component, damping the door's closure, providing a buffer, and preventing collisions between the door and the housing, thus improving the lifespan of the household appliance. When the door is open, the second component retracts inward, providing an outward and upward repulsive force to the first component, facilitating the opening of the door; furthermore, the retraction of the second component prevents contact with the first component, improving safety and aesthetics; and the driving component provides a buffering effect when the door is closed, preventing collisions between the door and the housing, further improving the lifespan of the household appliance, and also assisting in opening the door. In summary, the first component, the second component, and the drive component work together to provide a buffer when closing the door and to provide assistance when opening the door.

[0043] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the detailed embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the anti-door sagging structure proposed in this invention;

[0046] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram of the lower left corner;

[0047] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the door structure after it is opened;

[0048] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified structural diagram of the lower left corner;

[0049] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the main structure for preventing door sagging;

[0050] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the middle AA direction;

[0051] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the middle connecting rod assembly;

[0052] Figure 8 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure from the middle left. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, with the direction closer to the interior of the casing being "inner," and the opposite being "outer." These terms are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0055] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0056] See Figures 1-8The diagram illustrates an embodiment of the anti-sag door structure proposed in this invention. The anti-sag door structure includes a door 100 that is hinged to a housing 200 via a hinge shaft 40. The structure comprises a first component 10, a second component 20, and a drive component 30. The first component 10 is fixed to the door 100, and the second component 20 is retractably mounted on the housing 200. The drive component 30 can also apply force to the second component 20 to extend or retract. A repulsive magnetic force is generated between the first component 10 and the second component 20. When the door 100 is closed, the first component 10 is positioned above the second component 20. A repulsive force is also generated between the first component 10 and the second component 20. After the door 100 is closed, the first component 10 experiences an upward repulsive force from the second component 20, which acts as an upward force on the door 100, counteracting part or all of the door 100's weight and preventing sagging. By making the second component 20 retractable, it extends during the final stage of the door 100 closing process. The second component 20 exerts an outward and upward repulsive force on the first component 10, damping the closing of the door 100 and providing a buffer to prevent collision between the door 100 and the housing 200, thus extending the lifespan of the household appliance. When the door 100 opens, the second component 20 retracts inward, exerting an outward and upward repulsive force on the first component 10, facilitating the opening of the door 100. Furthermore, the retraction of the second component 20 prevents the user from touching it, improving both safety and aesthetics.

[0057] The first component 10 is located above the second component 20. "Above" here is interpreted broadly, meaning directly above or slightly above, such as the inner side above, the outer side above, the left side above, or the right side above. Preferably, when the door 100 is closed, the first component 10 is located inside the second component 20. In this configuration, the first component 10 experiences an upward and inward repulsive force from the second component 20. This means the door 100 is subjected to an upward and inward force, which helps maintain the tightness of the closed position.

[0058] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the second component 20 provides the first component 10 with an upward repulsive force whose torque relative to the hinge shaft 40 is equal to or greater than the torque of the door body 100's gravity relative to the hinge shaft 40. Preferably, the first component 10 is located inside the door body 100. When the door body 100 is open, the second component 20 retracts into the housing 200, located below and inside the first component 10; when the door body 100 is closed, the second component 20 is located below and outside the first component 10. The closing process of the door 100 can be divided into three stages. In the first stage, when the second component 20 is located below and inside the first component 10, the second component 20 exerts an upward and outward repulsive force on the first component 100, lifting the door 100 upward and providing an outward damping buffer force. This helps prevent the door 100 from sagging during closing and avoids impact between the door 100 and the housing 200. In the second stage, when the second component 20 is located directly below the first component 10, the second component 20... In the first stage, the first component 10 is given an upward repulsive force, which lifts the door 100 upward. In the third stage, when the second component 20 is located below and outside the first component 10, the second component 20 gives the first component 10 an upward and inward repulsive force. The size of the second component 20 is smaller than that of the door 100. At this time, the sealing strip on the door 100 has normally contacted the housing 200. The second component 20 gives the first component 10 an upward and inward repulsive force, which lifts the door 100 upward and presses the sealing strip inward, which helps to increase the sealing performance.

[0059] To achieve a repulsive force between the first component 10 and the second component 20, both components are permanent magnets, with their magnetic poles at the ends closest to each other being identical. Alternatively, one or both of the first component 10 and the second component 20 can be electromagnets.

[0060] The drive component 30 uses the force applied when the door 100 is closed to push the second component 20 out. At the same time, the drive component 30 provides a buffering force to the door 100, thus realizing the pushing of the second component 20 and providing a buffering force to the door 100. This enables the drive component 30 to work automatically and avoids the need for a power structure, which is beneficial to the simplification of the structure.

[0061] The door body 100 is hinged to the housing 200. The first component 10 is located on the side of the door body 100 away from the hinge axis 40, and is situated at the lower part of the door body 100. The fact that the first component 10 is far from the hinge axis 40 helps to increase the distance between the first component 10 and the hinge axis 40, which in turn increases the lever arm of the upward repulsive force on the first component 10 relative to the hinge axis 40, thereby increasing the torque and improving the lifting effect on the door body 100.

[0062] See Figure 5The diagram shows a front view of the drive component 30, with line BB indicating the position of the lower end face of the door 100 after it is closed. The drive component 30 has a retractable buffer rod 31, an elastic element 32 that can push the buffer rod 31 outward, and a connecting rod assembly 33 for transmitting the force received by the buffer rod 31 to the second component 20. The buffer rod 31 can extend or retract into the housing 200. When the door 100 is in the open state, the second component 20 is in the retracted state, and the buffer rod 31 is in the extended state. When the door 100 is closed, after the door 100 touches the buffer rod 31, the door 100 pushes the buffer rod 31 inward, causing the elastic element 32 to be compressed. The elastic element 32 provides an outward elastic force to the buffer rod 31, which is transmitted to the door 100 through the buffer rod 31, so that the closing of the door 100 is damped and buffered. The inward movement of the door 100 drives the action of the connecting rod assembly 33, which pushes the second component 20 outward. When the door 100 is closed, the elastic element 32 is compressed, giving the buffer rod 31 an outward elastic force, which is transmitted to the door 100 through the buffer rod 31, so that the door 100 is subjected to the outward force of the buffer rod 31; the second component 20 gives the first component 10 an upward and inward repulsive force.

[0063] When the door 100 is closed, the second component 20 is extended, the elastic element 32 is compressed, and the buffer rod 31 is retracted. When the door 100 is opened, the buffer rod 31 extends outward under the action of the elastic element 32. The movement of the buffer rod 31 drives the action of the connecting rod assembly 33, which pulls the second component 20 outward. In other words, the movement of the buffer rod 31 in the inward and outward directions drives the extension and retraction of the second component 20 through the connecting rod assembly 33. When the buffer rod 31 extends outward, the second component 20 retracts inward; when the buffer rod 31 retracts inward, the second component 20 extends outward. The movement directions of the buffer rod 31 and the second component 20 are opposite, and the extension / retraction state of the buffer rod 31 is opposite to that of the second component 20.

[0064] To facilitate the installation of the drive component 30, a first telescopic hole 201 is provided on the housing 200, and the second component 20 is telescopically located within the first telescopic hole 201. A second telescopic hole 202 is provided on the housing 200, and the buffer rod 31 is telescopically located within the second telescopic hole 202. An elastic element 32 is located within the second telescopic hole 202 and is used to push the buffer rod 31 out. The system also includes a communicating cavity 203 formed on the housing 200 and connecting the first telescopic hole 201 and the second telescopic hole 202, and a connecting rod assembly 33 is movably located within the communicating cavity 203.

[0065] See Figure 6As shown, the connecting rod assembly 33 has a first connecting rod 331 hinged to the buffer rod 31 and a second connecting rod 332 hinged to the second component 20. The first connecting rod 331 and the second connecting rod 332 are hinged together. The first connecting rod 331 is rotatably mounted on the housing 200. One end of the first connecting rod 331 is hinged to the buffer rod 31, and the other end is hinged to the second connecting rod 332. One end of the second connecting rod 332 is hinged to the second component 20, and the other end is hinged to the first connecting rod 331.

[0066] See Figure 7 As shown, the first connecting rod 331 has a bushing 3311 extending vertically, a first extension section 3312 extending from one end of the bushing 3311 toward the buffer rod 51, and a second extension section 3313 extending from the other end of the bushing 3311 toward the second connecting rod 332. A connecting shaft 34 passes through the bushing 3311, rotatably housing the first connecting rod 331 within the communicating cavity 203. The first connecting rod 331 is used to transmit force, driving the extension and retraction of the second component 20. The length of the second extension section 3313 is greater than the length of the first extension section 3312, resulting in a shorter lever arm relative to the connecting shaft 34, which allows the buffer rod 31 to provide a larger damping buffer force to the door body 100.

[0067] The working method of the above-mentioned anti-door sagging structure includes the door closing steps:

[0068] When the door 100 closes, upon contact with the buffer rod 31, the door 100 pushes the buffer rod 31 inward, causing it to compress the elastic element 32. The elastic element 32 exerts an outward force on the buffer rod 31, which is transmitted to the door 100, damping the inward closing of the door 100 and providing a buffering effect. Simultaneously, the inward retraction of the buffer rod 31 also pushes the second component 20 outward. During the outward extension of the second component 20, it also exerts an outward repulsive force on the first component 10 mounted on the door 100, enhancing the buffering effect. The drive component 30 achieves both pushing the second component 20 and providing a buffering force to the door 100, enabling automatic operation of the drive component 30 and eliminating the need for a power structure, thus simplifying the structure.

[0069] Specifically, when the door 100 is closed, after the door 100 touches the buffer rod 31, the door 100 pushes the buffer rod 31 inward, causing the elastic element 32 to be compressed. The elastic element 32 gives the buffer rod 31 an outward extension force, which is transmitted to the door 100 through the buffer rod 31, so that the closing of the door 100 is damped and buffered. The inward movement of the door 100 drives the action of the connecting rod assembly 33, which is used to push the second component 20 outward.

[0070] The working method also includes the door opening procedure:

[0071] When the door 100 is opened, the buffer rod 31 extends outward under the push of the elastic member 32, and the extension of the buffer rod 31 causes the second component 20 to retract inward.

[0072] Specifically, when the door 100 is opened, the buffer rod 31 extends outward under the action of the elastic element 32. The movement of the buffer rod 31 drives the action of the connecting rod assembly 33, which pulls the second component 20 inward. In other words, the movement of the buffer rod 31 in the inward and outward directions drives the extension and retraction of the second component 20 through the connecting rod assembly 33. When the buffer rod 31 extends outward, the second component 20 retracts inward; when the buffer rod 31 retracts inward, the second component 20 extends outward. The movement directions of the buffer rod 31 and the second component 20 are opposite, and the extension / retraction state of the buffer rod 31 is opposite to that of the second component 20.

[0073] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A structure for preventing door sagging, wherein the door is closable and mounted on a housing, characterized in that, The anti-sagging structure of the door body includes: The first component is located on the door body; The second component is retractably mounted on the housing; A drive component, which serves to buffer when the door is closed and can drive the extension or retraction of the second component; The first component and the second component can generate a repulsive force; in the closed state of the door, the first component is located above the second component; The driving component has a retractable buffer rod, an elastic element that can push the buffer rod to extend, and a connecting rod assembly for transmitting the force on the buffer rod to the second component; the connecting rod assembly has a first connecting rod hinged to the buffer rod and a second connecting rod hinged to the second component, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod being hinged together; a second telescopic hole is provided on the housing, the buffer rod is retractably located in the second telescopic hole, and the elastic element is located in the second telescopic hole for pushing the buffer rod to extend.

2. The anti-sag structure for the door body according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the door is closed, the second component exerts an upward and inward repulsive force on the first component.

3. The anti-sag structure for the door body according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component uses the force applied by the door to extend the second component.

4. The anti-sag structure for the door body according to claim 1, characterized in that, The door is hinged to the housing, and the first component is located on the side of the door away from the hinge axis and at the bottom of the door.

5. The anti-sag structure for door bodies according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the housing. The first connecting rod has a bushing extending in the vertical direction, a first extension section extending from one end of the bushing toward the buffer rod, and a second extension section extending from the other end of the bushing toward the second connecting rod.

6. The anti-sag structure for door bodies according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A first telescopic hole is provided on the housing, and the second component is telescopically located within the first telescopic hole; a connecting cavity is provided on the housing for connecting the first telescopic hole and the second telescopic hole, and the connecting rod assembly is movably located within the connecting cavity.

7. A household appliance, comprising a housing and an openable / closable door disposed on the housing, characterized in that, It also includes the anti-sag structure of the door body as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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