Greasing apparatus for refrigerator hinge shaft and control method thereof

By designing an oiling device for refrigerator hinge shafts, automated oiling of hinge shafts has been achieved, solving the problems of high labor intensity and uneven oiling caused by manual oiling, and reducing grease waste and pollution risks.

CN116060252BActive Publication Date: 2025-11-07HEFEI HAIER REFRIGERATOR +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202111284566.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-11-01
Publication Date
2025-11-07
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing process of applying oil to refrigerator hinge shafts suffers from problems such as high manual labor intensity, uneven oil application, oil waste, and pollution.

Method used

Design an oiling device for refrigerator hinge shafts, including a positioning device, an oiling device, and an oil supply device. The device achieves uniform grease coating through automated positioning, the oiling component cooperating with the hinge shaft, and the use of spiral grooves and oil injection holes.

Benefits of technology

It achieves automated lubrication of hinge shafts, reduces manual labor intensity, avoids uneven lubrication and grease waste, and ensures the lubrication effect of hinge shafts.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of refrigerator assembling equipment, and specifically provides a kind of oiling equipment for refrigerator hinge shaft and control method thereof.The oiling equipment includes conveying device, positioning device, oiling device and oil supply device.The conveying device is used to carry and convey the cabinet of refrigerator.The positioning device is used to position the cabinet to the oiling position.The oiling device is arranged on one side of the conveying device, and is used to apply oil on the hinge shaft of refrigerator.The oil supply device is arranged on one side of the oiling device, and is used to supply oil to the oiling device.The oiling equipment of the present application realizes automatic oiling of hinge shaft on refrigerator.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of refrigerator assembling equipment, and particularly provides a lubricating device for refrigerator hinge shafts and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing refrigerator generally has a cabinet and a door body pivotally installed to the cabinet. Specifically, a hinge shaft is fixedly arranged on the cabinet, and the door body is rotatably installed to the hinge shaft to realize the pivotal connection between the door body and the cabinet.

[0003] In order to prevent abnormal sound caused by friction between the door body and the hinge shaft during rotation, the hinge shaft needs to be lubricated before the door body is installed to the hinge shaft.

[0004] Currently, the oil is generally applied to the hinge shaft by a worker through a brush. However, due to the fast rhythm on the refrigerator production line, the labor intensity of the worker is large, fatigue is easy to occur, and the phenomenon of missed lubrication is easy to occur. Moreover, the manual lubrication of the hinge shaft is also easy to cause the situation of too much or too little lubrication. When the hinge shaft is too much lubricated, not only the oil is wasted, but also the oil is easy to flow out from the connection between the door body and the hinge shaft, which is easy to cause the pollution of the refrigerator. When the hinge shaft is less lubricated, the lubrication between the hinge shaft and the door body is insufficient, and abnormal sound is still easy to occur. SUMMARY

[0005] An object of the present application is to provide a lubricating device for refrigerator hinge shafts to realize the automatic lubrication of the hinge shafts on the refrigerator.

[0006] A further object of the present application is to solve the problem of uneven lubrication of the hinge shafts on the existing refrigerator.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present application provides a lubricating device for refrigerator hinge shafts, the hinge shafts being arranged on a cabinet of the refrigerator and used for installing a door body of the refrigerator, the lubricating device comprising:

[0008] A positioning device for positioning the cabinet to a lubricating position;

[0009] A lubricating device comprising a support, a first driving device mounted to the support, and a lubricating member in driving connection with the first driving device, the first driving device being used for driving the lubricating member to move to a position where the lubricating member cooperates with the hinge shaft;

[0010] An oil supply device for supplying oil to the lubricating member.

[0011] Optionally, the oiling member is provided with a containing cavity for containing the hinge shaft, a spiral groove formed on a circumferential wall of the containing cavity, and an oil injection hole penetrating through a side wall of the containing cavity and having an inner end formed in the spiral groove, the oil injection hole receiving oil delivered by the oil supply device through an outer end thereof to fill the spiral groove with the oil.

[0012] Optionally, an annular gap is formed between the circumferential wall of the containing cavity and the hinge shaft.

[0013] Optionally, the oiling member is further provided with a circular ring located in the containing cavity and adjacent to an opening of the containing cavity, the circular ring being in gap cooperation with the hinge shaft to limit the maximum thickness of the oil applied on the hinge shaft.

[0014] Optionally, the oiling member is provided with a plurality of oil injection holes, the plurality of oil injection holes being spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the oiling member and / or being spaced apart in an axial direction of the oiling member.

[0015] Optionally, the oil supply device comprises:

[0016] a storage container for storing oil;

[0017] a pressing device comprising a pressing member and a second driving device in driving connection with the pressing member, the second driving device being configured to drive the pressing member to press the oil in the storage container, the pressing member being provided with an oil outlet hole;

[0018] a first oil delivery pipeline, one end of the first oil delivery pipeline being in communication with the oil outlet hole, the first oil delivery pipeline being in communication with the oiling member through the other end thereof.

[0019] Optionally, the oil supply device comprises at least two pressing devices, each of the pressing devices being respectively provided with one storage container and one first oil delivery pipeline.

[0020] The oil supply device further comprises a reversing valve and a second oil delivery pipeline, the reversing valve comprising a plurality of oil inlets, each of the first oil delivery pipelines being connected to one of the oil inlets, and an oil outlet of the reversing valve being in communication with the oiling member through the second oil delivery pipeline.

[0021] In addition, the present application further provides a control method of the oiling equipment, the control method comprising:

[0022] controlling the positioning device to position the box to an oiling position;

[0023] In response to the box being positioned to the oiling position, the first driving device is controlled to drive the oiling member to be sleeved outside the hinge shaft;

[0024] The oil supply device is controlled to supply oil to the oiling member;

[0025] In response to the oil filling the spiral groove, the first driving device is controlled to drive the oiling member to be separated from the hinge shaft, so that the oiling member evenly applies the oil in the spiral groove to the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft.

[0026] Optionally, the control of the oil supply device to supply oil to the oiling member comprises:

[0027] Before the hinge shaft is completely embedded in the oiling member, the oil supply device is controlled to start supplying oil to the oiling member.

[0028] Optionally, the control of the oil supply device to start supplying oil to the oiling member before the oiling member is completely sleeved outside the hinge shaft comprises:

[0029] When a part of the hinge shaft is embedded in the oiling member, the oil supply device is controlled to start supplying oil to the oiling member.

[0030] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can understand that, in the foregoing technical solutions of the present application, the box can be positioned to the oiling position by the positioning device, the oiling member of the oiling device can be cooperated with the hinge shaft, and the oil supply device can supply oil to the oiling member, so that the oiling equipment can apply oil to the hinge shaft by the oiling member, thereby realizing automatic oiling operation of the hinge shaft of the refrigerator. Moreover, since the oiling operation of the hinge shaft is completed by the oiling equipment, manual intervention is avoided, thereby reducing the labor intensity of the staff and avoiding manual omission.

[0031] Further, the accommodating cavity for accommodating the hinge shaft is arranged on the oiling member, the spiral groove is arranged on the circumferential wall of the accommodating cavity, the oil injection hole penetrating the side wall of the accommodating cavity is arranged on the oiling member, and the inner side end of the oil injection hole is formed in the spiral groove, so that the oil supplied by the oil supply device can enter the spiral groove through the oil injection hole and fill the spiral groove. When the oiling member is pulled out of the hinge shaft, the oil in the spiral groove will be evenly adhered to the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft under the action of its own viscosity.

[0032] Further, the annular gap between the circumferential wall of the accommodating cavity and the hinge shaft can limit the maximum thickness of the oil on the hinge shaft, effectively avoiding the problem that the hinge shaft is polluted when the oil on the hinge shaft is applied too much.

[0033] Further, before the oiling member is completely sleeved outside the hinge shaft, the oil supply device starts to deliver oil to the oiling member, so that the spiral groove is basically filled with oil when the oiling member is completely sleeved outside the hinge shaft, thereby shortening the oiling time. Those skilled in the art can understand that, since the oil has high viscosity and poor fluidity, delivering oil to the oiling member in advance will not cause the oil to drip from the oiling member.

[0034] Still further, by arranging the floating mechanism between the first driving device and the oiling member, the oiling member can be matched with the hinge shaft by means of the floating mechanism, thereby ensuring the reliability of the matching between the oiling member and the hinge shaft.

[0035] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present application will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, given simply by way of illustration to provide a broad understanding of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, some embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the components or parts indicated by the same reference numerals in different drawings are the same or similar; the drawings of the present application are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the use effect of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 is a first axial view of the oiling device in Figure 1

[0040] Figure 3 is a second axial view of the oiling device in Figure 1

[0041] Figure 4 is an axial view of the oiling device in Figure 1

[0042] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the matching effect between the oiling member and the hinge shaft in Figure 4

[0043] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of the floating mechanism on the oiling member in some other embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the extrusion device in Figures 1 to 3

[0045] Figure 8 ​​​​​is a schematic diagram of an oil circuit connection of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 9 is a main step flow chart of the control method of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments of the present application, and are intended to explain the technical principles of the present application, not to limit the protection scope of the present application. Based on the embodiments provided by the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0048] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" and other terms indicating direction or positional relationship are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0049] In addition, it should be further noted that in the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] The oiling device in some embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3 Among them, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the use effect of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a first axonometric view of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a second axonometric view of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application.

[0051] As Figures 1 to 3As shown in some embodiments of the present application, the oiling device comprises a conveying device 100, a positioning device 200, an oiling device 300 and an oil supply device 400. The conveying device 100 is used to carry and convey the refrigerator 500, specifically the cabinet 510 of the refrigerator 500. The positioning device 200 is used to position the cabinet 510 to an oiling position (such as the position shown in FIG. 2). The oiling device 300 is arranged on one side of the conveying device 100, and is used to apply oil to the hinge shaft 520 of the refrigerator 500. The oil supply device 400 is arranged on one side of the oiling device 300, and is used to supply oil to the oiling device 300. Figure 1

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 500 comprises a cabinet 510, a door body (not shown in the figure) and a hinge shaft 520. The hinge shaft 520 is fixedly connected to the cabinet 510, and the hinge shaft 520 is pivotally connected to the door body. In the use state of the refrigerator 500, the axial direction of the hinge shaft 520 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying device 100 comprises a carrying frame 110 and a plurality of conveying rollers 120, which are arranged on the carrying frame 110 at intervals and have the same arrangement direction as the conveying direction of the cabinet 510. Each of the conveying rollers 120 is freely rotatable to realize the conveying of the cabinet 510 by the rolling of the conveying rollers 120. Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning device 200 comprises a longitudinal positioning device 210 and a transverse positioning device 220. The longitudinal positioning device 210 is used to limit the cabinet 510 in a first direction, and the transverse positioning device 220 is used to limit the cabinet 510 in a second direction. The first direction is parallel to the conveying direction of the cabinet 510, and the second direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cabinet 510.

[0054] Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal positioning device 210 comprises a stop member and a lifting member, and the lifting member is used to drive the stop member to rise and fall. When the cabinet 510 does not need to be positioned, the stop member falls below the conveying rollers 120 to allow the cabinet 510 to move along its conveying direction; when the cabinet 510 needs to be positioned, the stop member rises above the conveying rollers 120 to prevent the cabinet 510 from moving along its conveying direction. The specific structure of the longitudinal positioning device 210 is described below.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the transverse positioning device 220 comprises a plurality of transverse positioning members 222, which are arranged on the carrying frame 110 at intervals and have the same arrangement direction as the conveying direction of the cabinet 510. Each of the transverse positioning members 222 is freely rotatable to realize the transverse positioning of the cabinet 510 by the rolling of the transverse positioning members 222. Figures 1 to 3

[0056] ​​​Exemplarily, the stop member is a baffle, and the lifting member is an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The top end of the lifting member is fixedly connected with the stop member, and the bottom end of the lifting member is fixed to the ground. Further, in the projection on the horizontal plane, the longitudinal positioning device 210 is located on the inner side of the conveying device 100 to save the floor area. Still further, the conveying device 100 is provided with a avoiding space for avoiding the stop member to allow the lifting member to freely lift and lower.

[0057] It should be noted that, since the box body 510 moves in one direction during the conveying on the conveying device 100, only one longitudinal positioning device 210 is arranged in the advancing direction of the box body 510, and the positioning of the box body 510 in the advancing direction can be realized by stopping the advancement of the box body 510. Of course, the person skilled in the art can also arrange one longitudinal positioning device 210 on each of the front and back sides of the oiling position of the box body 510 according to the needs. Figure 1

[0058] Continuing to refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the transverse positioning device 220 includes a baffle mechanism 221 and a push plate mechanism 222. The baffle mechanism 221 is arranged on the side of the carrier frame 110 close to the oiling device 300 and cannot move relative to the carrier frame 110. The push plate mechanism 222 is arranged on the side of the carrier frame 110 away from the oiling device 300 and can perform telescopic action relative to the carrier frame 110. In addition, the person skilled in the art can also arrange the baffle mechanism 221 on the side of the carrier frame 110 away from the oiling device 300 and arrange the push plate mechanism 222 on the side of the carrier frame 110 close to the oiling device 300 according to the needs.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3 , the push plate mechanism 222 includes a fixed frame 2221, a telescopic member 2222 and a push plate 2223. The fixed frame 2221 is fixedly arranged on the side of the carrier frame 110 away from the oiling device 300, the telescopic member 2222 is fixedly mounted on the fixed frame 2221, and the push plate 2223 is fixedly connected with the telescopic end of the telescopic member 2222, so that the push plate 2223 approaches or moves away from the baffle mechanism 221 under the action of the telescopic member 2222.

[0060] The telescopic member 2222 can be any feasible member, such as an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0061] During the advancement of the box body 510 in the direction of conveying, the telescopic member 2222 drives the push plate 2223 to retract to avoid the moving box body 510. When it is necessary to position the box body 510, the telescopic member 2222 drives the push plate 2223 to extend and pushes the box body 510 to the position abutting against the baffle mechanism 221. ​

[0062] In some embodiments of the present application, the working principle of the positioning device 200 is as follows:

[0063] When the box 510 needs to be positioned, the longitudinal positioning device 210 is first raised from below the conveying roller 120 to above the conveying roller 120 to stop the box 510 and thus stop the movement of the box 510. Thus, the box 510 is positioned in the conveying direction of the box 510. Then, the push plate mechanism 222 drives its push plate 2223 to move towards the direction close to the baffle mechanism 221 until the box 510 is pushed to the position abutting against the baffle mechanism 221. At this time, the box 510 is positioned at the oiling position.

[0064] When the box 510 does not need to be positioned, the longitudinal positioning device 210 is retracted to below the conveying roller 120, and the push plate mechanism 222 drives its push plate 2223 to move towards the direction away from the baffle mechanism 221 to the initial position to allow the box 510 to travel along its conveying direction.

[0065] The oiling device 300 in some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 . Among them, Figure 4 is the isometric view of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 is Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation effect between the oiling member and the hinge shaft in

[0066] As shown in Figure 4 , the oiling device 300 comprises a support 310, a first driving device (not marked in the figure), and an oiling member 330. Among them, the support 310 is fixed to the ground and located at one side of the carrier frame 110, the first driving device is installed to the support 310, the oiling member 330 is drivingly connected with the first driving device, and the first driving device is used to drive the oiling member 330 to move to the position cooperating with the hinge shaft 520 (as shown in Figure 5 ).

[0067] Continuing to refer to Figure 4 , the first driving device comprises a first push rod 321 and a second push rod 322. Among them, the first push rod 321 is fixedly connected with the support 310, the second push rod 322 is fixedly connected with the moving end of the first push rod 321, and the oiling member 330 is fixedly connected with the end of the second push rod 322 away from the first push rod 321.

[0068] As can be seen from Figure 4 , the first push rod 321 is used to drive the second push rod 322 and the oiling member 330 to move in the radial direction of the hinge shaft 520, and the second push rod 322 is used to drive the oiling member 330 to move in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 520.

[0069] The first push rod 321 and the second push rod 322 can be any feasible linear driving device, such as a pneumatic cylinder, an electric push rod, an oil cylinder, etc.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the oiling member 330 is provided with a receiving cavity 331, a spiral groove 332, an oil injection hole 333, and a threaded hole 334. The receiving cavity 331 is used to accommodate the hinge shaft 520, the spiral groove 332 is formed on the circumferential wall of the receiving cavity 331, the oil injection hole 333 penetrates the side wall of the receiving cavity 331, and the inner side end of the oil injection hole 333 is formed in the spiral groove 332. The oil injection hole 333 receives the oil delivered by the oil supply device 400 through its outer side end. The oiling member 330 is fixedly connected to the second push rod 322 through the threaded hole 334.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5 , an annular gap (not labeled in the figure) is formed between the circumferential wall of the receiving cavity 331 and the hinge shaft 520. This annular gap not only allows the hinge shaft 520 to be smoothly inserted into the receiving cavity 331, but also allows the oil in the spiral groove 332 to flow onto the entire circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520 when it is squeezed, and can also limit the thickness of the oil applied to the hinge shaft 520. That is, the thickness of the oil on the hinge shaft 520 will not exceed the width of the annular gap.

[0072] Alternatively, under the premise of allowing the hinge shaft 520 to be smoothly inserted into the receiving cavity 331, the skilled person in the art can also make the annular gap small enough to confine the oil in the spiral groove 332 as needed. That is, the oil in the spiral groove 332 will not flow onto the entire circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520 under the action of its own viscosity; but during the process of pulling the oiling member 330 off the hinge shaft 520, the oil will be uniformly applied to the entire circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520 by virtue of its own viscosity characteristics. The skilled person in the art can understand that this way will make the oil on the hinge shaft 520 be thinly and uniformly applied, avoiding the waste of oil.

[0073] Alternatively, the skilled person in the art can also set a circular ring on the inside of the receiving cavity 331 as needed, and make the circular ring near the opening of the receiving cavity 331, and make the circular ring fit with the hinge shaft 520 with a gap, so as to limit the maximum thickness of the oil applied to the hinge shaft 520.

[0074] Continuing to refer to Figure 5 , in order to allow the hinge shaft 520 to be smoothly inserted into the receiving cavity 331, the oiling member 330 is also provided with a guide structure for guiding the insertion of the hinge shaft 520 into the receiving cavity 331. Specifically, the guide structure is Figure 5The conical surface of the lower part of the accommodating cavity 331 is shown in the figure. In addition, the technical personnel in the art can also set the guide structure to other any feasible structure according to the needs, for example, a conical ring.

[0075] Although not shown in the figure, in some embodiments of the present application, both ends of the spiral groove 332 are located inside the circumferential surface of the accommodating cavity 331 in the axial direction of the oiling member 300. That is, the length of the spiral groove 332 is less than the length of the accommodating cavity 331 in the axial direction of the oiling member 300. The technical personnel in the art can understand that the length of the spiral groove 332 is less than the length of the accommodating cavity 331, which can avoid the grease in the spiral groove 332 from falling off the oiling member 300 along the port of the spiral groove 332.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The oiling member 330 is provided with three oil injection holes 333, and the plurality of oil injection holes 333 are distributed in the circumferential direction of the oiling member 330 and also distributed in the axial direction of the oiling member 330. The technical personnel in the art can understand that this kind of distribution of the oil injection hole 333 helps the grease to quickly fill the entire spiral groove 332.

[0077] It should be noted that the number of oil injection holes 333 on the oiling member 330 is not limited to three, but can also be any other number, for example, one, two, five, eight, etc.

[0078] The working principle of the oiling device 300 will be briefly described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4 .

[0079] After the box body 510 is positioned to the oiling position by the positioning device 200, the first push rod 321 is extended to drive the second push rod 322 and the oiling member 330 to move towards the box body 510, so that the oiling member 330 is aligned with the hinge shaft 520 in the vertical direction. Then, the second push rod 322 is extended to drive the oiling member 330 to move downward, so that the oiling member 330 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 520.

[0080] After the oiling of the hinge shaft 520 is completed, the second push rod 322 is first retracted to separate the oiling member 330 from the hinge shaft 520, and then the first push rod 321 is retracted to return to the original position.

[0081] The technical personnel in the art can understand that due to installation errors, positioning errors, etc., the center axis of the oiling member 330 and the axis of the hinge shaft 520 cannot be aligned, and the distance in the horizontal direction is large. In order to overcome this problem, in some other embodiments of the present application, the oiling device 300 further comprises a guide structure as shown in Figure 6The floating mechanism 340 is shown. The floating mechanism 340 is disposed between the second push rod 322 and the oiling component 330, and the floating mechanism 340 is used to assist the oiling component 330 in cooperating with the hinge shaft 520.

[0082] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the floating mechanism 340 includes a first floating member 341 and a second floating member 342. The first floating member 341 is fixedly connected to the oiling member 330. Preferably, the first floating member 341 is provided with a bolt hole (not shown in the figure) so that a bolt 350 passes through the bolt hole and is tightened into the threaded hole 334 on the oiling member 330, thereby fixing the first floating member 341 and the oiling member 330. In addition, those skilled in the art can also connect the first floating member 341 and the oiling member 330 together using any other feasible connection method as needed, such as welding, snap-fitting, bonding, etc. Alternatively, those skilled in the art can also make the first floating member 341 and the oiling member 330 integrally formed as needed. The second floating member 342 is fixedly connected to or integrally formed with the second push rod 322. This fixed connection can be any feasible connection method such as welding, threaded connection, snap-fitting, bonding, sleeve connection, etc.

[0083] Of course, those skilled in the art may, as needed, fix or integrally connect the first floating member 341 with the second push rod 322, and fix or integrally connect the second floating member 342 with the oiling member 330.

[0084] Continue reading Figure 6 The first floating member 341 is provided with a mounting hole 3411. The second floating member 342 includes a connecting shaft 3421 passing through the mounting hole 3411, a first axial stop structure 3422 located on one side of the mounting hole 3411, and a second axial stop structure 3423 located on the other side of the mounting hole 3411. Furthermore, the diameter of the connecting shaft 3421 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole 3411, so that the connecting shaft 3421 can swing radially within the mounting hole 3411, thereby compensating for the position of the oiling member 330 during the process of the oiling member 330 being fitted onto the hinge shaft 520, so that the oiling member 330 can be smoothly fitted onto the hinge shaft 520.

[0085] Preferably, both the first axial stop structure 3422 and the second axial stop structure 3423 are nuts. Correspondingly, the connecting shaft 3421 includes a first threaded section adapted to the first axial stop structure 3422 and a second threaded section adapted to the second axial stop structure 3423.

[0086] The following reference Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8The oil supply device 400 in some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail.

[0087] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 The oil supply device 400 includes a rack 410, two oil storage containers 420, two extrusion devices 430, a reversing valve 440 and a metering valve 450. The oil storage containers 420 are placed below the rack 410 and are used to store the oil for lubricating the hinge shaft 520. The extrusion devices 430 are fixedly arranged on the rack 410 and are used to extrude the oil in the oil storage containers 420 to make the oil in the oil storage containers 420 extrude out of the oil storage containers 420. The oil extruded out of the oil storage containers 420 flows through the reversing valve 440 and then the metering valve 450, and finally flows to the oil applying member 330. The reversing valve 440 can only make the oil in one of the oil storage containers 420 flow to the metering valve 450 at the same time. The metering valve 450 is used to control the amount of oil supplied each time.

[0088] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present application, the oil supply device 400 is configured with two oil storage containers 420, two extrusion devices 430 and a reversing valve 440, so that the oil supply device 400 can continuously and uninterruptedly deliver oil to the oil applying member 330. That is, after the oil in one of the oil storage containers 420 is used up, the other oil storage container 420 can continue to supply oil through the reversing valve 440. At the same time, the empty oil storage container 420 is replaced or the oil is injected into the empty oil storage container 420.

[0089] In addition, under the premise that the oil supply device 400 can continuously and uninterruptedly deliver oil to the oil applying member 330, the oil storage containers 420 can also be any other feasible number, such as three, four, five, etc. And each oil storage container 420 corresponds to an extrusion device 430.

[0090] As shown in Figure 7As shown, the squeezing device 430 comprises a squeezing member 431, a squeezing push rod 432 as a second driving device, and a guide rod 433. The squeezing member 431 is provided with an oil outlet hole 4311, and the squeezing member 431 can extend into the oil storage container 420 through the container port of the oil storage container 420, and thus squeeze the oil in the oil storage container 420. Preferably, the size of the squeezing member 431 in the horizontal direction is adapted to the cross section of the inner cavity of the oil storage container 420. The housing of the squeezing push rod 432 is fixedly connected with the rack 410, and the rod body of the squeezing push rod 432 is fixedly connected with the squeezing member 431, so that the squeezing push rod 432 drives the squeezing member 431 to move downward, thereby squeezing the oil in the oil storage container 420. The guide rod 433 is slidably connected with the rack 410, and the guide rod 433 is fixedly connected with the squeezing member 431. The guide rod 433 prevents the squeezing member 431 from rotating during the upward and downward movement, thereby avoiding the first oil conveying pipeline 461 connected with the oil outlet hole 4311 of the squeezing member 431 from winding around the squeezing push rod 432.

[0091] The squeezing push rod 432 can be any feasible linear driving device, such as an electromagnetic push rod, a screw push rod, a pneumatic push rod, a hydraulic push rod, etc.

[0092] Further, the reversing valve 440 comprises a plurality of oil inlet ports (not labeled in the figure), so that the oil outlet hole 4311 of each squeezing member 431 is respectively connected with an oil inlet port of the reversing valve 440. The oil outlet port of the reversing valve 440 can only communicate with one oil inlet port at the same time, so that the reversing valve 440 can only output the oil in one oil storage container 420 at the same time.

[0093] As shown, Figure 8 The oil supply device 400 further comprises a first oil conveying pipeline 461, a second oil conveying pipeline 462, and a third oil conveying pipeline 463. One end of each first oil conveying pipeline 461 is respectively connected with and communicates with the oil outlet hole 4311 of the corresponding squeezing member 431, and the other end of each first oil conveying pipeline 461 is respectively connected with and communicates with an oil inlet port of one reversing valve 440. One end of the second oil conveying pipeline 462 communicates with the oil outlet port of the reversing valve 440, and the other end of the second oil conveying pipeline 462 communicates with the inlet of the metering valve 450. The outlet of the metering valve 450 communicates with each oil applying member 330 through the third oil conveying pipeline 463.

[0094] The working principle of the oil supply device 400 will be briefly described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 .

[0095] When the oiling member 330 is completely matched with the hinge shaft 520, or at the same time, the extrusion push rod 432 drives the extrusion member 431 to extrude the oil in the oil storage container 420, so that the oil in the oil storage container 420 enters the oiling member 330 through the first oil delivery pipeline 461, the reversing valve 440, the second oil delivery pipeline 462, the metering valve 450, and the third oil delivery pipeline 463. When the oil in the metering valve 450 reaches the set amount, the extrusion push rod 432 stops working. When the current oil in the oil storage container 420 is used up, the reversing valve 440 switches the oil inlet to make another oil storage container 420 deliver oil for the reversing valve 440. Those skilled in the art can understand that, since there is filling and pumping when the metering valve 450 works, in order to enable the oil supply device 400 to continuously output the metered oil, the oil supply device 400 can include two parallel metering valves 450.

[0096] The working principle of the oiling device described above will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 9 the control method of the oiling device. Among them, Figure 9 is the main step flowchart of the control method of the oiling device in some embodiments of the present application.

[0097] In the present application, the oiling device for the refrigerator hinge shaft further includes control modules, sensors, micro switches, and other structures or members for controlling the actions of the delivery device 100, the positioning device 200, the oiling device 300, and the oil supply device 400, to realize the automatic positioning of the box body 510 by the oiling device, the automatic oiling of the hinge shaft 520, and other actions.

[0098] It should be noted that, in order to facilitate description and to enable those skilled in the art to quickly understand the technical solutions of the present application, only the technical features that are strongly related (directly related or indirectly related) to the technical problems and / or technical concepts to be solved by the present application will be described below. For technical features that are weakly related to the technical problems and / or technical concepts to be solved by the present application, no further description will be given. Since the technical features that are weakly related belong to the common knowledge in the art, the disclosure of the present application will not be insufficient even if the weakly related features are not described.

[0099] As Figure 9 shown, in some embodiments of the present application, the control method of the oiling device includes:

[0100] Step S100, controlling the positioning device 200 to position the box body 510 to the oiling position.

[0101] Specifically, when the box 510 is about to move to the oiling position, the longitudinal positioning device 210 is caused to rise from below the conveying roller 120 to above the conveying roller 120, stop the box 510, and thus stop the movement of the box 510. Then, the push plate mechanism 222 is caused to drive its push plate 2223 to move towards the baffle mechanism 221 until the box 510 is pushed to a position abutting against the baffle mechanism 221. At this time, the box 510 is positioned to the oiling position.

[0102] Step S200, in response to the box 510 being positioned to the oiling position, the first driving device is controlled to drive the oiling member 330 to be sleeved outside the hinge shaft 520.

[0103] Specifically, at the same time or after the box 510 is positioned to the oiling position, the first push rod 321 is caused to extend, drive the second push rod 322 and the oiling member 330 to move towards the box 510, so that the oiling member 330 is aligned with the hinge shaft 520 in the vertical direction. Then, the second push rod 322 is caused to extend, drive the oiling member 330 to move downwards, so that the oiling member 330 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 520.

[0104] Step S300, at the same time or before the hinge shaft 520 is completely embedded in the oiling member 330, the oil supply device 400 is controlled to deliver oil to the oiling member 330.

[0105] Specifically, when a part of the hinge shaft 520 is embedded in the oiling member 330, the oil supply device 400 is controlled to start delivering oil to the oiling member 330.

[0106] Part of the hinge shaft 520 is 1 / 5 to 1 / 2 of the hinge shaft 520, for example, 1 / 5, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, etc.

[0107] Further specifically, when a part of the hinge shaft 520 is embedded in the oiling member 330, the extrusion push rod 432 is caused to drive the extrusion member 431 to extrude the oil in the oil storage container 420, so that the oil in the oil storage container 420 enters the oiling member 330 through the first oil delivery pipeline 461, the reversing valve 440, the second oil delivery pipeline 462, the metering valve 450, and the third oil delivery pipeline 463. When the oil in the metering valve 450 reaches the set amount, the extrusion push rod 432 is stopped.

[0108] Step S400, in response to the oil filling the spiral groove 332, the first driving device is controlled to drive the oiling member 330 to disengage from the hinge shaft 520, so that the oiling member 520 uniformly applies the oil in the spiral groove 332 to the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520.

[0109] Specifically, when the oil in the metering valve 450 reaches the set amount, it is determined that the oil has filled the spiral groove 332, and then the metering valve 450 is caused to output the oil therein. After the metering valve 450 outputs all the oil therein, it is determined that the oil has filled the spiral groove 332, and a portion of the oil in the spiral groove 332 has flowed through the annular gap and coated onto the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520. Then the second push rod 322 is retracted to cause the oil coating member 330 to disengage from the hinge shaft 520, and the first push rod 321 is retracted to return to the original position.

[0110] As can be understood by those skilled in the art, because the oil itself has viscosity, during the process of pulling the oil coating member 330 off the hinge shaft 520, the oil in the spiral groove 332 can be uniformly coated onto the entire circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520 by virtue of its own viscosity characteristics.

[0111] Further, because of the annular gap between the circumferential wall of the accommodating cavity 331 and the hinge shaft 520, during the process of pulling the oil coating member 330 off the hinge shaft 520, the oil in the spiral groove 332 can be uniformly coated on the hinge shaft 520 by virtue of its own viscosity. And because of the existence of the annular gap, the thickness of the oil on the hinge shaft 520 will not exceed the width of the annular gap, so that the oil coating member 330 can almost uniformly coat the oil in the spiral groove 332 on the oil coating member 330 during the process of pulling the oil coating member 330 off the hinge shaft 520.

[0112] Further, when the annular gap is small, or when the pressure of the oil delivered is not enough to force the oil in the spiral groove 332 to spread through the annular gap to cover the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520, the oil coating member 330 can also almost uniformly coat the oil in the spiral groove 332 on the oil coating member 330 during the process of pulling the oil coating member 330 off the hinge shaft 520, ensuring the oiling effect of the oiling device on the hinge shaft 520.

[0113] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can understand that the present application can position the cabinet 510 to the oiling position by the positioning device 200, and can cause the oil coating member 330 of the oiling device 300 to cooperate with the hinge shaft 520, and can cause the oil supply device 400 to deliver oil to the oil coating member 330, so that the oiling device can coat the oil on the hinge shaft 520 by the oil coating member 330, thereby realizing the automatic oiling operation on the hinge shaft 520 of the refrigerator 500. And because the oiling operation on the hinge shaft 520 is completed by the oiling device, manual intervention is avoided, thereby reducing the labor intensity of the staff and avoiding the phenomenon of manual omission.

[0114] Further, by providing the accommodating cavity 331 on the oiling member 330 for accommodating the hinge shaft 520, providing the spiral groove 332 on the circumferential wall of the accommodating cavity 331, providing the oil injection hole 333 on the oiling member 330 penetrating the side wall of the accommodating cavity 331, and making the inner side end of the oil injection hole 333 formed in the spiral groove 332, the oil provided by the oil supply device 400 can enter the spiral groove 332 through the oil injection hole 333 and fill the spiral groove 332. When the oiling member 330 is pulled out of the hinge shaft 520, the oil in the spiral groove 332 will be uniformly adhered to the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 520 under the action of its own viscosity.

[0115] Further, the annular gap between the circumferential wall of the accommodating cavity 332 and the hinge shaft 520 can limit the maximum thickness of the oil on the hinge shaft 520, effectively avoiding the problem of contamination of the refrigerator caused by excessive oil on the hinge shaft 520.

[0116] Further, before the oiling member 330 is completely sleeved on the outside of the hinge shaft 520, the oil supply device 400 starts to deliver oil to the oiling member 330, so that the spiral groove 332 is basically filled with oil when the oiling member 330 is completely sleeved on the outside of the hinge shaft 520, thereby shortening the oiling time. Those skilled in the art can understand that, since the oil has high viscosity and poor flowability, delivering oil to the oiling member 330 in advance will not cause the oil to drip from the oiling member 330.

[0117] Further, by providing the floating mechanism 340 between the second push rod 322 and the oiling member 330, the oiling member 330 can be combined with the hinge shaft 520 through the floating mechanism 340, thereby ensuring the reliability of the combination of the oiling member 330 and the hinge shaft 520.

[0118] So far, the technical solutions of the present application have been described in combination with the foregoing embodiments, but those skilled in the art can easily understand that the protection scope of the present application is not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can split and combine the technical solutions in the above embodiments, or make equivalent changes or replacements to the related technical features, without deviating from the technical principles of the present application. Any changes, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the technical concept and / or technical principles of the present application will fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A lubricating device for a refrigerator hinge shaft, the hinge shaft being arranged on a cabinet of the refrigerator and used for mounting a door body of the refrigerator, the lubricating device comprising: a positioning device for positioning the cabinet to a lubricating position; a lubricating device comprising a support, a first driving device mounted to the support, and a lubricating member in driving connection with the first driving device, the first driving device being used for driving the lubricating member to move to a position where the lubricating member is cooperated with the hinge shaft; the lubricating device further comprising a floating mechanism arranged between the first driving device and the lubricating member, the floating mechanism being capable of swinging the lubricating member in a radial direction to assist the lubricating member to be cooperated with the hinge shaft; an oil supply device for supplying oil to the lubricating member; wherein the lubricating member is provided with a receiving cavity for receiving the hinge shaft, a spiral groove formed on a circumferential wall of the receiving cavity, and an oil injection hole penetrating through a side wall of the receiving cavity and having an inner end formed in the spiral groove, the oil injection hole receiving oil supplied by the oil supply device through an outer end thereof to fill the spiral groove with the oil; an annular gap being formed between the circumferential wall of the receiving cavity and the hinge shaft; and a guide structure arranged on the lubricating member and used for guiding the hinge shaft to be inserted into the receiving cavity. 2.The lubricating device for the refrigerator hinge shaft according to claim 1, wherein: a circular ring is further arranged on the lubricating member and located in the receiving cavity, the circular ring being adjacent to an opening of the receiving cavity and being cooperated with the hinge shaft to define a maximum thickness of the oil coated on the hinge shaft. 3.The lubricating device for the refrigerator hinge shaft according to claim 1, wherein: a plurality of the oil injection holes are arranged on the lubricating member, the plurality of the oil injection holes being spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the lubricating member and / or in an axial direction of the lubricating member. 4.The lubricating device for the refrigerator hinge shaft according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the oil supply device comprises: an oil storage container for storing oil; an extruding device comprising an extruding member and a second driving device in driving connection with the extruding member, the second driving device being used for driving the extruding member to extrude oil in the oil storage container, the extruding member being provided with an oil outlet hole; and a first oil supply pipeline having one end in communication with the oil outlet hole and the other end in communication with the lubricating member. 5.The lubricating device for the refrigerator hinge shaft according to claim 4, wherein: the oil supply device comprises at least two extruding devices, and each of the extruding devices is respectively provided with one oil storage container and one first oil supply pipeline. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The oil supply device further comprises a reversing valve and a second oil supply pipeline, the reversing valve comprises a plurality of oil inlets, each of the first oil supply pipelines is connected to one of the oil inlets, and an oil outlet of the reversing valve is communicated with the oil applying member through the second oil supply pipeline.

6. A control method of an oiling apparatus characterized by comprising: The oil applying device is the oil applying device of claim 1 or 2, and the control method comprises: controlling the positioning device to position the box to an oil applying position; in response to the box being positioned to the oil applying position, controlling the first driving device to drive the oil applying member to be sleeved outside the hinge shaft; controlling the oil supply device to supply oil to the oil applying member; in response to the oil filling the spiral groove, controlling the first driving device to drive the oil applying member to be separated from the hinge shaft, so that the oil applying member uniformly applies the oil in the spiral groove to the circumferential surface of the hinge shaft.

7. The control method of claim 6, wherein the controlling the oil supply device to supply oil to the oil applying member comprises: controlling the oil supply device to start supplying oil to the oil applying member before the hinge shaft is completely embedded in the oil applying member.

8. The control method of claim 7, wherein the controlling the oil supply device to start supplying oil to the oil applying member before the oil applying member is completely sleeved outside the hinge shaft comprises: controlling the oil supply device to start supplying oil to the oil applying member when a part of the hinge shaft is embedded in the oil applying member.

Citation Information

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