Polylinker hinge

Abstract

A multi-joint hinge (1), more particularly for a refrigerator, comprising a mounting element (2) which can be fixed to a main body and a hinge part (3) which can be fastened to a door and which is held on the mounting element (2) in order to be pivoted between a closed position and a maximum open position by means of a joint mechanism with a plurality of articulated links (4, 5, 6, 7), wherein, in a retracted range, the hinge part (3) is preloaded in the closed direction by means of a spring (10), and wherein at least one linear damper (30) is provided, which has a damper housing (31) and a piston rod (32) which is translatable relative to the damper housing (31), which damper housing and piston rod brake the closing movement of the hinge part (3) before the closed position is reached. The damper housing (31) of the at least one linear damper (30) is rotatably fixed in a link (4) by means of a holding element (33), and the holding element (33) is fixed on a link (4) of the joint mechanism. The piston rod (32) can be inserted into the damper housing (31) by means of an actuating element (14) which is provided on an additional link (7) of the joint mechanism.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-joint hinge, in particular for a refrigerator, having a mounting element which can be fixed to a main body, and a hinge part which can be fixed to a door via a joint mechanism having a plurality of joint levers and which is pivotably held on the mounting element between a closed position and a maximum open position, wherein the hinge part is biased in the closing direction in a retracted range via a spring, and at least one linear damper is provided with a damper housing and a piston rod which is displaceable relative to the damper housing and which damps the closing movement of the hinge part before reaching the closed position. BACKGROUND

[0002] WO 2008 / 119647 discloses a multi-joint hinge in which a hinge member is pivotably supported on a mounting member, wherein a spring is provided within a lever of the hinge mechanism for retracting a door which can be fixed to the hinge member into a closed position. In order to dampen the movement of the hinge part into the closed position, a linear damper is also provided which comprises a damper housing and a displaceable piston rod. The linear damper is here mounted rotatably and thus requires additional installation space due to the pivoting movement. An elongated hole is formed in one of the levers in order to move the linear damper only when the hinge part is just before the closed position. These multi-joint hinges have proven themselves, however, it can be necessary to optimize the installation space required by the hinge, in particular for the weight of heavy doors, such as those used in refrigerators.

[0003] In WO 2018 / 104199, it is proposed to provide a damper arrangement with two parallel linear dampers in a multi-joint hinge. The two linear dampers are fixed to the damper housing via eyelets on one side and the piston rods are connected to eyelets on the opposite side, so that a pressure and a tensile force can be exerted on the linear dampers. The linear dampers are also mounted rotatably and thus occupy additional installation space due to the pivoting movement. The manufacture and assembly of these dampers is relatively complex and, in addition, the linear dampers have a very long construction length and are coupled to the levers of the hinge mechanism over the entire rotational range of the hinge part. This means that additional installation space is required. SUMMARY

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to create a multi-joint hinge which has an improved damping during the closing movement of the hinge part and which has a low installation space requirement.

[0005] This object is achieved by a multi-joint hinge according to one aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments are a further aspect of the invention.

[0006] In the multi-joint hinge according to the application, at least one linear damper comprising a damper housing and a displaceable piston rod is arranged with the damper housing in a rotationally fixed manner via a holding element within the lever and the holding element is fixed to the lever of the joint mechanism and the piston rod can be pushed into the damper housing via an actuating element which is arranged on the other lever of the joint mechanism. This facilitates assembly, since the damper housing is inserted into a receptacle on the holding element and does not require an eye to be attached to the multi-joint hinge. Via the receptacle, the damper housing can be positioned in the multi-joint hinge in a predetermined orientation in order to then generate a damping force during the closing movement of the hinge part. This enables a compact design with the holding element positioned within the lever. The cross section of the lever can be U-shaped or L-shaped, so that the holding element is received in a slot-shaped or corner-shaped channel in the lever. Preferably, the cross section of the lever is U-shaped and the damper housing of the at least one linear damper is arranged between the two leg portions of the lever.

[0007] Preferably, the actuating element has an arc-shaped contour, on which an end face of the piston rod can slide, indirectly or directly. The actuating element is here designed as a pin, for example a cylindrical pin, which is fixed between two walls of the other lever of the joint mechanism.

[0008] The at least one piston rod of the linear damper can be moved on the actuating element and is preferably aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod. Two or more piston rods of the linear damper can also be moved simultaneously at the actuating element or offset from one another. If the linear dampers are offset, particularly gentle damping curves can be achieved. The actuating element can be designed as a cylindrical pin or have a different cross-sectional shape. In this case, the actuating element on the other lever can act on the piston rod within the damping range when the hinge part is pivoted and can be moved freely outside the damping range. In this case, a part of the rotation range of the hinge part is designed as a free movement, in which no damping force acts. This is achieved by arranging the actuating element at a distance from the piston rod and in a free movement area which is not in contact with the piston rod. This free movement is independent of any spring force.

[0009] Alternatively, the actuating element can be adjustable, in particular slidably attached to the other lever, so that the range of free movement is adjusted with respect to the damping force.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the holding element is fixed to the hinge shaft between the lever and the other lever. Alternatively, the holding element can also be fixed to one of the levers of the hinge. In this way, the installation space within the multi-joint hinge can be optimally used for the linear dampers. For a stable support of the holding element, the holding element can have a stop which is supported on a wall of the lever.

[0011] Preferably, a stop element is provided on each receptacle, which limits the movement of the damper housing when the piston rod is pushed in and supports the damper housing on the side opposite the piston rod. The stop element can be designed, for example, as a stop pin that is fixed to both walls of the lever and engages through a holding element. In this way, the stop element can even absorb very high forces when the piston rod is pushed in, the stop element being fixed to the walls of the lever at opposite ends. The holding element can consist of or include a plastic profile, for example. The stop element can be designed as a metal pin and thus designed to absorb higher forces. Optionally, an adjustment mechanism can be integrated on the damper housing, by means of which an adjustment of the linear movement of the damper housing or the piston rod and thus an adjustment of the damping power is possible.

[0012] Preferably, the spring of the multi-joint hinge acts on a guide lever or slide, which can be moved along a curved guide when the hinge part is pivoted. The retraction range of the spring can thus be defined via the curved guide, which is preferably located between the closed position of the hinge part and the opening angle of the hinge part (between 20° and 40°). The effective range of the linear damper, i.e. the damping range, is preferably smaller than the retraction range of the rotational range of the spring relative to the hinge part, so that no unintended stopping of the door in the opening range is caused. Both linear dampers can be effective, for example, between 10° and 25°, in particular between 15° and 20°, between the closed position of the hinge part and the open position of the hinge part. The effective range can begin when the damping force is generated via the linear dampers after overcoming a possible free play.

[0013] Each linear damper preferably has a spring element that biases the piston rod into the protruding position. This allows the actuating element for compressing the linear damper to pressurize and compress the linear damper only by pressure, while the piston rod of the linear damper is automatically moved into the extended position during the opening movement of the hinge part.

[0014] The multi-joint hinge is preferably designed as a seven-joint hinge, which has four levers that can be pivoted relative to one another, thereby forming a total of seven joints. Alternatively, the multi-joint hinge can also be designed as a four-joint hinge. Preferably, at least one lever of the joint mechanism is designed as a U-shaped bent steel sheet part and is able to withstand high weight loads.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, at least two linear dampers are provided, whereby the piston rods can be pushed together via the actuating element at least in the partial range between the closed position of the hinge part and the open position of the hinge part into the damper housing. The use of two parallel arranged dampers on the multi-joint hinge also enables the braking of the weight of heavy doors, for example refrigerator doors.

[0016] When the hinge part is pivoted within the damping range and can move freely outside the damping range, the actuating element on the other lever preferably acts on the at least one piston rod. Thus, the actuating element is arranged in the freely moving area at a distance from the at least one piston rod. This means that the linear damper does not have to be fixed on both sides.

[0017] In another embodiment of the application, the actuating element comprises an inlet guide for the at least one piston rod. The inlet guide can be funnel-shaped in order to provide lateral guidance towards the actuating element when the piston rod enters the inlet guide. The inlet guide for the at least one piston rod can allow a small lateral play and receive a piston rod with play, preferably with a lateral play of less than 1 mm.

[0018] The actuating element is preferably designed to be adjustable with respect to the linear damper, so that the point of contact between the at least one piston rod and the actuating element can be adjusted depending on the angular position of the hinge part. This allows to adjust the damping range.

[0019] The multi-hinged hinge is preferably used in a refrigerator having an appliance body and a door pivotably mounted on the appliance body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The application is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B : two views of the multi-joint hinge in the closed position;

[0022] FIG. 2 : exploded view of the multi-joint hinge of Fig. 1 ;

[0023] FIGS. 3A-3D : several views of the multi-joint hinge in different positions;

[0024] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B : two sectional views through the multi-joint hinge of Fig. 1 ;

[0025] FIGS. 5A-5D : several sectional views of the multi-joint hinge in different positions, and

[0026] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B : two sectional views of the damping in different positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The multi-joint hinge 1 comprises a mounting element 2 which can be fixed to a piece of furniture or an appliance, for example the body of a refrigerator. A hinge part 3 is pivotably held on the mounting element 2 via a joint mechanism.FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B shows the closed position, in which the multi-joint hinge 1 is arranged in a box-like manner in the folded position.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the multi-joint hinge 1. The joint mechanism comprises four lever arms 4, 5, 6 and 7, which establish a connection between the mounting element 2 and the hinge part 3.

[0029] The mounting element 2 comprises a first axis Al, to which the first lever arm 4 is articulated. In addition to the first axis Al, the first lever arm 4 also has a second axis A2 and a fifth axis A5. The second lever arm 5 is articulated to the mounting element 2 on a third axis A3, which has a fourth axis A4 at the opposite end, which is articulated to the third lever arm 6. The third lever arm 6 has the fourth axis A4 in the central region and is connected to the first lever arm 4 at one end via the axis A2. On the opposite side, the third lever arm 6 is connected to the hinge part 3 at a sixth axis A6. The hinge part 3 is articulated to the fourth lever arm 7 by means of a seventh axis A7, which is articulated to the first lever arm 4 at the opposite end by means of the fifth axis A5. All lever arms 4, 5, 6, 7 are made from a curved steel sheet as a section U-shaped part.

[0030] The mounting element 2 has a height adjustment. For this purpose, the axis A8 is formed by a screw 20 with a threaded portion 21. An internally threaded insert 22 is mounted on the threaded portion 21, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on a holder 24. For this purpose, two protrusions 23 are formed on the internally threaded insert 22 as end stops. By turning the screw 20, the screw 20 and thus the mounting element 2 are axially displaced relative to the internally threaded insert 22. The internally threaded insert 22 is thereby fixed in the axial direction to the holder 24, which is fixed to the main body via an opening 26 via fastening means such as screws. By turning the screw 20, the height of the mounting element 2 can thus be adjusted relative to the holder 24.

[0031] The articulation mechanism of the multi-joint hinge 1 comprises a spring 10 held between a first guide element 11 and a second guide element 12. The first guide element 11 is articulated to an axis Al l and the second guide element 12 is articulated to a guide lever 13. The guide lever 13 is articulated to the fourth lever arm 7 and carries a guide roller 15, which is movable along a curved guide 18 on a guide element 16. The guide element 16 is fixed to the fourth lever arm 7 via an opening 17 with an axis.

[0032] The fourth lever arm 7 comprises an insert element 9, which can be pivoted about the fifth axis A5 together with the fourth lever arm 7. The insert element 9 is fixed to the fourth lever arm 7 via a further axis A13. The fourth lever arm 7 and the insert element 9 thus form a unit that can be moved together, whereby the insert element 9 can also optionally be formed integrally with the fourth lever arm 7.

[0033] An axis A14 is formed on the insertion element 9, into which an actuating element 14 in the form of a pin is inserted. In the assembled position, the actuating element 14 can act on the front end of the piston rod 32, which can then be pushed into the damper housing 31.

[0034] The multi-joint hinge 1 comprises two linear dampers 30, each of which has a damper housing 31 and a piston rod 32. It is also possible to provide only one linear damper 30. The one or more linear dampers 30 are arranged within the U-shaped bar 4. The linear dampers 30 are at least partially covered laterally by the leg of the U-shaped bar 4. The linear dampers 30 are fixed to a holding element 33, which has two adjacent receptacles 35 into each of which a part of the damper housing 31 is inserted. The insertion depth of the damper housing 31 is limited by a stop 34. The stop 34 is designed as a stop pin and is inserted into an opening 37 of the holding element 33. The stop 34 is held at opposite ends on the first bar 4, for which an opening 36 is formed in the first bar 4 for inserting one end of the stop 34. The stop 34 can also be held to the first bar 4 by other fastening means. Furthermore, the stop 34 does not have to pass through the opening 37 on the holding element 33, but can also extend adjacent to the holding element 33.

[0035] The holding element 33 is fixed via an opening to the fifth axis A5 and is supported on the first bar 4 and movable therewith in the mounted position.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the cross section of the hinge part 3 is L-shaped, wherein a mounting part 103 is fixed to the hinge part 3, so that the sixth axis A6 and the seventh axis A7 can extend between a wall of the hinge part 3 and the mounting part 103. The mounting part 103 forms a spacer to allow the cover 8 to pivot. In the assembled position, the bars 6 and 7 are arranged within a U-shaped door bearing consisting of the hinge part 3 and the mounting part 103.

[0037] The multi-joint hinge 1 also comprises a cover 8, which in the open position covers the gap between the third bar 6 and the fourth bar 7, thus forming protection against engagement. The cover 8 can be held in a hinged manner on the stop 34 or another shaft and has an elongated hole guide that cooperates with a guide pin fixed to the hinge part 3.

[0038] FIGS. 3A-3D The multi-joint hinge 1 is shown in different positions. In the folded closed position, the bars 4, 5, 6, 7 of the joint mechanism nest inside each other and the multi-joint hinge 1 is box-shaped.

[0039] When the hinge part 3 is pivoted relative to the mounting element 2, the joint mechanism unfolds and the bars 4, 5, 6 and 7 are pivoted towards each other, asFIG. 3B and FIG. 3C is shown. FIG. 3D The maximum opening position of the hinge part 3 is shown, for example in the range of 100° to 150° from the closed position. The opening angle can be determined from the two parallel surfaces of the mounting element 2 and the hinge part 3 in the closed position.

[0040] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B A cross-sectional view of the multi-joint hinge 1 is shown. Each linear damper 30 is inserted into a holding element 33 with a damper housing 31, whereby the front end of the damper housing 31 is supported on a stop 34, which is held between two walls of the first lever 4. The stop 34, designed as a stop pin, can be made of metal and can absorb high compression forces.

[0041] On the opposite side, the piston rod 32 abuts with an end face against an actuating element 14, which is designed as a pin, in particular a cylindrical pin. The actuating element 14 can also be made of metal in order to be able to transmit high forces.

[0042] The spring 10 is articulated on the axis A11 between first guide elements 11 to the insertion element 9. The guide elements 11 protrude with pins into the spring 10 and the second guide elements 12 also have pins for guiding the spring 10. The pins provide centering within the lever 7. The insertion element 9 serves to center the guide elements 11 within the lever 7, which is preferably movable without drag. The second guide elements 12 are articulated to a guide lever 13, which is articulated to be centered on the insertion element 9 about an axis A13. The guide lever 13 serves to move a guide roller 15 that rolls along a curved guide 18. The curved guide 18 is formed on a guide element 16, which is held non-rotatably on the hinge part 3.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4B two linear dampers are arranged side by side on the holding element 33, which are both supported by a single stop 34 and whose piston rods 32 can both be moved by an actuating element 14. The longitudinal axes of the actuating element 14 and the stop 34 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the linear dampers.

[0044] FIG. 5A A multi-joint hinge in the maximum opening position is shown. It can be seen that the spring 10 is arranged in a compact, compressed position and that the guide roller 15 has been moved along the curved guide 18. The linear dampers 30 are arranged on the holding element 33 and the piston rod 32 of each linear damper is arranged in an independent manner without contact with another component. The multi-joint hinge is in a freely movable position. In the freely movable position, the linear dampers 30 are inactive.

[0045] When the multi-joint hinge is moved in the closing direction, asFIG. 5B The guide roller 15 is shown to move along the curved guide 18. Until an angle of about 30° before the closed position, for example between 20° and 40° before the closed position, the spring 10 remains in a compressed position, since the first guide element 11 and the second guide element 12 do not move or only slightly move relative to each other. When the hinge part 3 reaches the angular position at the beginning of the retraction range, the guide roller 15 moves on the curved guide 18, so that the guide rod 13 is pivoted, whereby the second guide element 12 moves away from the first guide element 11. This allows the spring 10, which was compressed to a certain pressure, to release and thus supports the closing process. At the beginning of the retraction range, one end face of the piston rod 32 is still at a distance to the actuation element 14, since the linear damper 30 only becomes effective later during the closing movement.

[0046] FIG. 5C A position of the hinge part 3 is shown, in which the actuation element 14 starts to push the piston rod 32 into the damper housing 31. The damper housing 31 is supported by a stop 34, so that the closing movement of the hinge part 3 can be braked. At the same time, the spring 10 ensures that the hinge part 3 is pre-tensioned in the closing direction by moving the guide roller 15 along the curved guide 18.

[0047] FIG. 5D A closed position is shown, in which the spring 10 is released by moving the guide roller 15 along the curved guide 18. At the same time, the piston rod 32 is pressed into the damper housing 31, so that the movement of the hinge part 3 is braked.

[0048] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B An enlarged view of the linear damper 30 is shown. In FIG. 6A the linear damper 30 is in a free movement position and does not contact the actuation element 14. The actuation element 14 has a curved surface. This curved surface is surrounded by an inlet guide 38. The inlet guide 38 is funnel-shaped. The inlet guide 38 serves as a guide for the piston rod 32. FIG. 6B A moment is shown, in which the piston rod 32 just touches the actuation element 14. It can be seen that the inlet guide 38 only allows a minimum lateral play for the piston rod 32, thereby preventing unwanted transverse forces that can act on the piston rod 32. As the hinge continues to close, the piston rod 32 slides on the actuation element 14 as the angles of the rod parts 4 and 7 continuously change. The damper 30 thus performs a partial orbital run around the actuation element 14. The shape of the inlet guide 38 in particular is such that the piston rod 32 is not pushed laterally out of the inlet guide 38 during the partial orbital run around the actuation element 14.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, two linear dampers 30 are mounted between the first lever 4 and the fourth lever 7. It is of course also possible to provide linear dampers between the two other levers 4, 5, 6 and 7 or on the mounting element 2 or the hinge part 3 designed as a lever. In addition, the spring 10 with the guide lever 13 can be mounted at another position of the multi-joint hinge instead of between the fourth lever 7 and the hinge part 3.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the linear dampers 30 and the actuating element 14 are not adjustable. However, the linear dampers 30 can also be arranged on an adjustable bracket on the holding element 33. In this case, an eccentric or a worm gear can be provided as an adjustment device. The linear dampers 30 can be adjusted from the outside of the lever 4.

[0051] Alternatively, the actuating element 14 can also be mounted adjustably. To this end, for example, threaded means can be provided on the actuating element 14, so that the actuating element can be displaced in depth. If the actuating element is designed as a pin 14, the pin can be guided laterally in a guide on the lever 7. It is important here that the actuating element 14 is adjustable relative to the linear dampers 30, so that the point of contact between the at least one piston rod 32 and the actuating element 14 can be adjusted depending on the angular position of the hinge part 3.

[0052] 1 multi-joint hinge

[0053] 2 mounting element

[0054] 3 hinge part

[0055] 4 lever

[0056] 5 lever

[0057] 6 lever

[0058] 7 lever

[0059] 8 cover

[0060] 9 insertion element

[0061] 10 spring

[0062] 11 guide element

[0063] 12 guide element

[0064] 13 guide lever

[0065] 14 actuating element

[0066] 15 guide roller

[0067] 16 guide element

[0068] 17 opening

[0069] 18 curved guide

[0070] 20 screw

[0071] 21 threaded portion

[0072] 22 internally threaded insert

[0073] 23 protrusion

[0074] 24 bracket

[0075] 25 receptacle

[0076] 26 opening

[0077] 30 linear damper

[0078] 31 damper housing

[0079] 32 piston rod

[0080] 33 retaining element

[0081] 34 stop

[0082] 35 receptacle

[0083] 36 opening

[0084] 37 opening

[0085] 38 inlet guide

[0086] 103 mounting portion

[0087] A1 axis

[0088] A2 axis

[0089] A4 axis

[0090] A5 axis

[0091] A6 axis

[0092] A7 axis

[0093] A11 axis

[0094] A13 axis

[0095] A14 axis

Claims

1. Multi-joint hinge (1) with a mounting element (2) which can be fixed to an appliance body and a hinge part (3) which can be fixed to a door via a joint mechanism with a plurality of joint levers (4, 5, 6, 7) and which can be held pivotably on the mounting element (2) between a closed position and a maximum open position, wherein the hinge part (3) is biased in the closing direction in a range of retraction via a spring (10) and at least one linear damper (30) is provided, which has a damper housing (31) and a piston rod (32) which is displaceable relative to the damper housing (31), which dampens the closing movement of the hinge part (3) before the closed position is reached, characterized in that The at least one linear damper (30) is arranged with a rotationally fixed manner via a holding element (33) within the lever (4) with a damper housing (31), and the holding element (33) is fixed to the lever (4) of the joint mechanism, and the piston rod (32) can be pushed into the damper housing (31) via an actuating element (14) which is arranged on the other lever (7) of the joint mechanism, wherein in the closed position the levers (4, 5, 6, 7) of the joint mechanism are nested inside one another and the multi-joint hinge (1) is box-shaped, wherein the opening angle is determined by the two parallel surfaces of the mounting element (2) and the hinge part (3).

2. The multi-joint hinge according to claim 1, wherein The lever (4) is U-shaped in cross-section, and the damper housing (31) of the at least one linear damper (30) is arranged between the two legs of the lever (4).

3. The multi-joint hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The actuating element (14) has a curved contact surface which is arranged between the two walls of the other lever (7).

4. The multi-joint hinge of claim 3, wherein, The piston rod (32) slides indirectly or directly with one end face on the contact surface of the actuating element (14) at least during the closing movement of the hinge.

5. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The holding element (33) is fixed on the joint axis (A5) between the lever (4) and the other lever (7).

6. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The holding element (33) is supported with a stop on the wall of the lever (4).

7. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The holding element (33) comprises at least one receptacle (35) for the damper housing (31), which limits the movement of the damper housing (31) when the piston rod (32) is pushed in.

8. The multi-joint hinge of claim 7, wherein, A stop (34) for the damper housing (31) is formed on the receptacle (35).

9. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The retraction range of the spring (10) between the closed position of the hinge part (3) and the open position of the hinge part (3) is set to be between 20° and 40°.

10. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The effective range of the linear damper (30) relative to the pivoting range of the hinge part (3) is smaller than the retraction range of the spring (10).

11. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, At least one linear damper (30) is active in the open position of the hinge part (3) between 10° and 25° and in the closed position.

12. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, Each linear damper (30) comprises a spring element which biases the piston rod (32) into a protruding position.

13. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The multi-joint hinge (1) is designed as a seven-joint hinge with four levers (4, 5, 6, 7) which can be pivoted relative to one another and together form seven joints (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7).

14. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, At least two linear dampers (30) are provided, wherein the piston rods (32) can be pushed together into the damper housings (31) via the actuating element (14) at least in the partial area between the closed position of the hinge part (3) and the open position of the hinge part (3). At least two linear dampers (30) are provided, wherein the piston rods (32) can be pushed together into the damper housings (31) via the actuating element (14) at least in the partial area between the closed position of the hinge part (3) and the open position of the hinge part (3).

15. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The actuating element (14) on the further lever (7) acts on at least one piston rod (32) in a damping range when the hinge part is pivoted and can move freely outside the damping range, the actuating element (14) being arranged in the freely moving range at a distance from the at least one piston rod (32) and the at least one piston rod (32) thus being arranged not to come into contact with the actuating element (14).

16. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The actuating element (14) comprises an inlet guide (38) for the at least one piston rod (32).

17. The multi-joint hinge of claim 16, wherein, The inlet guide (38) is funnel-shaped.

18. A multi-joint hinge according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The inlet guide (38) of the at least one piston rod (32) is arranged with a lateral play around the piston rod (32).

19. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The actuating element (14) is adjustable relative to the linear damper (30) such that the point of contact between the at least one piston rod (32) and the actuating element (14) can be adjusted as a function of the angular position of the hinge part (3).

20. The multi-joint hinge of claim 1, wherein, The multi-joint hinge is used for a refrigerator.

21. A refrigerator comprising an appliance body and a door, the door being pivotably mounted on the appliance body and being held on the appliance body by at least one multi-joint hinge according to any one of the preceding claims.

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