Hinge assembly and refrigerator

Abstract

The invention discloses a hinge assembly and a refrigerator, and the hinge assembly comprises a hinge main frame which is provided with an adjusting operation opening for a tool to enter; the adjusting nut is arranged in the adjusting operation opening, the two end faces, in the axial direction, of the adjusting nut abut against the inner wall of the adjusting operation opening, and the adjusting nut can only rotate in the adjusting operation opening; the threaded rod penetrates through the hinge main frame and can move relative to the hinge main frame, and the threaded rod is in threaded connection with the adjusting nut; the first shaft sleeve is fixedly connected with the top end of the threaded rod, and the first shaft sleeve is connected with the bottom of a refrigerator door of the refrigerator. According to the hinge assembly and the refrigerator, the problem that in the prior art, operation for adjusting the height of a refrigerator door of the refrigerator is too complex is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a hinge assembly and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Cross-door refrigerators are now the mainstream in the market, but some users find that the left and right doors are inconsistent in height after purchasing them. It is difficult for non-professionals to adjust the left and right heights. The main solution now is to use gaskets or add protective measures to the packaging. The methods are limited, and the operation of adjusting the height of the door requires professionals and is complicated.

[0003] In summary, the operation of adjusting the height of the refrigerator door in the prior art is too complicated. Summary of the invention

[0004] A hinge assembly and a refrigerator are provided in an embodiment of the present invention to solve the problem that the operation of adjusting the height of a refrigerator door in the prior art is too complicated.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a hinge assembly, including: a hinge main frame, the hinge main frame having an adjustment operation opening for allowing a tool to enter; an adjustment nut, the adjustment nut is arranged in the adjustment operation opening, the two end faces of the adjustment nut in the axial direction are both in contact with the inner wall of the adjustment operation opening, and the adjustment nut can only rotate in the adjustment operation opening; a threaded rod, the threaded rod passes through the hinge main frame and can move relative to the hinge main frame, the threaded rod is threadedly connected to the adjustment nut; a first shaft sleeve, the first shaft sleeve is fixedly connected to the top end of the threaded rod, and the first shaft sleeve is connected to the bottom of the refrigerator door.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes: a second sleeve, the second sleeve is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the threaded rod, and the second sleeve is connected to the top of the refrigerator door.

[0007] Furthermore, the first sleeve and the second sleeve are both screwed and fixed to the threaded rod.

[0008] Furthermore, the hinge main frame includes: an upper hinge plate, the first sleeve is located above the upper hinge plate; a lower hinge plate, the lower hinge plate is arranged opposite to and fixedly connected to the upper hinge plate, and the adjustment operation port is formed between the upper hinge plate and the lower hinge plate.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one locking groove is provided on the side of the upper hinge plate facing the first shaft sleeve, and locking plates of different thicknesses may be provided in the locking groove, and the locking plates are used to resist the first shaft sleeve.

[0010] Furthermore, the hinge main frame has a mounting hole for fixing to the refrigerator body.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper hinge plate and the lower hinge plate are welded.

[0012] Furthermore, the upper hinge plate and the lower hinge plate are integrally formed.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper hinge plate and the lower hinge plate are both arranged in the horizontal direction; and the threaded rod extends in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided, comprising the above-mentioned hinge assembly.

[0015] When production line employees or consumer users discover that there is a difference in height between the left and right doors of the refrigerator, they turn the adjustment nut, and the threaded shaft cooperates with the adjustment nut thread. The threaded shaft moves upward relative to the hinge main frame, thereby driving the first sleeve upward, so that the refrigerator door corresponding to the first sleeve rises to a certain height to adjust the difference. Or, the adjustment nut is turned in the opposite direction, and the threaded shaft moves downward relative to the hinge main frame, driving the first sleeve downward, which can be lowered to the hinge main frame, so that the refrigerator door corresponding to the first sleeve drops to a certain height to adjust the height difference of the door. After discovering that there is a difference in height between the left and right doors of the refrigerator, you only need to use the tool to enter the adjustment operation port and screw the adjustment nut. The operation is simple and the adjustment is quick. The adjustment can even be completed directly by manually screwing the adjustment nut, which solves the problem of overly complicated means and processes in the adjustment operation of the refrigerator door height. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structural coordination of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 is a front view schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a hinge main frame of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the hinge assembly of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of welding points of a hinge main frame of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig.10 It is a schematic structural diagram of an upper hinge plate of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a hinge assembly is provided, which includes a hinge main frame 10, an adjusting nut 20, a threaded rod 30 and a first shaft sleeve 41, wherein the hinge main frame 10 has an adjusting operation opening 11 into which a tool can enter; the adjusting nut 20 is arranged in the adjusting operation opening 11, and the two end faces of the adjusting nut 20 in the axial direction are both in contact with the inner wall of the adjusting operation opening 11, and the adjusting nut 20 can only rotate in the adjusting operation opening 11; the threaded rod 30 passes through the hinge main frame 10 and can move relative to the hinge main frame 10, and the threaded rod 30 is threadedly connected to the adjusting nut 20; the first shaft sleeve 41 is fixedly connected to the top end of the threaded rod 30, and the first shaft sleeve 41 is connected to the bottom of the refrigerator door.

[0028] When production line employees or consumer users discover that there is a difference in height between the left and right doors of the refrigerator, they turn the adjustment nut, and the threaded shaft cooperates with the adjustment nut thread. The threaded shaft moves upward relative to the hinge main frame, thereby driving the first sleeve upward, so that the refrigerator door corresponding to the first sleeve rises to a certain height to adjust the difference. Or, the adjustment nut is turned in the opposite direction, and the threaded shaft moves downward relative to the hinge main frame, driving the first sleeve downward, which can be lowered to the hinge main frame, so that the refrigerator door corresponding to the first sleeve drops to a certain height to adjust the height difference of the door. After discovering that there is a difference in height between the left and right doors of the refrigerator, you only need to use the tool to enter the adjustment operation port and screw the adjustment nut. The operation is simple and the adjustment is quick. The adjustment can even be completed directly by manually screwing the adjustment nut, which solves the problem of overly complicated means and processes in the adjustment operation of the refrigerator door height.

[0029] The hinge assembly further includes a second sleeve 42, which is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the threaded rod 30, and the second sleeve 42 is connected to the top of the refrigerator door. The threaded rod 30 is arranged in the vertical direction, and the second sleeve 42 is located below the hinge main frame 10, that is, connected to the bottom end of the threaded rod 30. The top end of the threaded rod 30 is arranged upward, and the bottom end of the threaded rod 30 is arranged toward the ground.

[0030] If the second sleeve 42 fits with the hinge main frame, it will play a limiting role and restrict the up and down movement of the threaded rod 30. Therefore, it is necessary to set a sufficient spacing between the second sleeve 42 and the bottom surface of the hinge main frame to reserve movement space for the threaded rod 30 so that the threaded rod 30 can rise to a sufficient distance to adjust the height of the door.

[0031] The hinge assembly of this embodiment can also be the middle hinge assembly of a refrigerator. For the hinge structure of a cross-door refrigerator, not only can the height of the upper door be adjusted through the matching relationship of the first sleeve, but it also serves as the pivot axis of the lower door, and the hinge assembly has wider versatility.

[0032] Preferably, the first sleeve 41 and the second sleeve 42 are both screwed and fixed to the threaded rod 30 .

[0033] The first sleeve 41 and the second sleeve 42 have corresponding threaded holes in the middle, and the threaded rod 30 is threadedly connected in the threaded holes to fix the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The entire outer surface of the threaded rod 30 has threads, the manufacturing process is simple, and the production cost is reduced. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are fixed by threads, the assembly efficiency is high, and the production cost is low.

[0034] The hinge main frame 10 includes an upper hinge plate 10a and a lower hinge plate 10b, and the first shaft sleeve 41 is located above the upper hinge plate 10a; the lower hinge plate 10b is arranged opposite to and fixedly connected to the upper hinge plate 10a, and the adjustment operation port 11 is formed between the upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b.

[0035] The upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b form a U-shaped adjustment operation opening 11, and tools can be inserted in the circumference of the adjustment operation opening 11. The structure is simple and easy to operate, the structure cost is low, and the structural strength can meet the requirements.

[0036] Combination Figure 1 and Fig.10 As shown, at least one locking groove 51 is provided on the side of the upper hinge plate 10 a facing the first shaft sleeve 41 , and locking plates 52 of different thicknesses may be provided in the locking groove 51 , and the locking plates 52 are used to resist the first shaft sleeve 41 .

[0037] When production line employees or consumer users find that the cabinets are not at the same height, after eliminating other factors, they can choose to add locking plates. The thickness of the locking plates has several specifications, such as 0.25mm, 0.5mm, 0.75 and 1mm. Choose the appropriate locking plate and assemble it into the locking configuration slot. Then you can screw the adjustment nut and work with the locking plate up and down to lock the assembly to ensure that there will be no rebound after the height adjustment is consistent.

[0038] Preferably, the hinge main frame 10 has a mounting hole 12 for fixing to the refrigerator body. The hinge main frame 10 is fixed to the body through the cooperation of the fixing screws and the mounting hole 12. Generally, the mounting hole 12 is selected to be opened on the upper hinge plate 10a. The mounting hole 12 fixes the hinge main frame 10 to the body, and the structure is more stable.

[0039] See also Fig. 9 The upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b are welded. The welding point A between the upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b is located at the end position, the welding process is relatively simple, the production cost is low, and the welding is more firm and stable.

[0040] In an embodiment not shown, the upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b are integrally formed. The integrally formed upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b are more complete in structural integration and are not easily deformed.

[0041] In this embodiment, the upper hinge plate 10a and the lower hinge plate 10b are both arranged in the horizontal direction; and the threaded rod 30 extends in the vertical direction.

[0042] The arrangement of the upper hinge plate, the lower hinge plate and the threaded rod can be more suitable for a cross-door refrigerator and meet the needs of various models of refrigerators.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes the above-mentioned hinge assembly.

[0044] The production line staff checks whether the left and right doors are the same height. If they are the same height, it meets the design theory requirements and does not need to be adjusted. If consumers find that there are slight differences between the left and right doors after getting the refrigerator, they can also use locking tools and add locking plates to ensure that the door heights are consistent. The operation of adjusting the height of the cabinet door is very simple, which improves the aesthetics of the door assembly.

[0045] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0047] Of course, the above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the basic principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly, characterized in that: include: A hinge main frame (10), wherein the hinge main frame (10) has an adjustment operation opening (11) into which a tool can enter; an adjusting nut (20), the adjusting nut (20) being arranged in the adjusting operation opening (11), the two end faces of the adjusting nut (20) in the axial direction both being in contact with the inner wall of the adjusting operation opening (11), and the adjusting nut (20) being only rotatable in the adjusting operation opening (11); a threaded rod (30), the threaded rod (30) passing through the hinge main frame (10) and being movable relative to the hinge main frame (10), the threaded rod (30) being threadedly connected to the adjusting nut (20); A first shaft sleeve (41), wherein the first shaft sleeve (41) is fixedly connected to the top end of the threaded rod (30), and the first shaft sleeve (41) is connected to the bottom of the refrigerator door.

2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A second shaft sleeve (42), wherein the second shaft sleeve (42) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the threaded rod (30), and the second shaft sleeve (42) is connected to the top of the refrigerator door.

3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first shaft sleeve (41) and the second shaft sleeve (42) are both threadedly fixed to the threaded rod (30).

4. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hinge main frame (10) comprises: An upper hinge plate (10a), wherein the first shaft sleeve (41) is located above the upper hinge plate (10a); A lower hinge plate (10b), the lower hinge plate (10b) is arranged opposite to and fixedly connected to the upper hinge plate (10a), and the adjustment operation port (11) is formed between the upper hinge plate (10a) and the lower hinge plate (10b).

5. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least one locking groove (51) is arranged on the side of the upper hinge plate (10a) facing the first shaft sleeve (41), and locking plates (52) of different thicknesses can be arranged in the locking groove (51), and the locking plates (52) are used to resist the first shaft sleeve (41).

6. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hinge main frame (10) is provided with a mounting hole (12) for fixing to a refrigerator body.

7. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper hinge plate (10a) and the lower hinge plate (10b) are welded.

8. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper hinge plate (10a) and the lower hinge plate (10b) are integrally formed.

9. The hinge assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper hinge plate (10a) and the lower hinge plate (10b) are both arranged in the horizontal direction; The threaded rod (30) extends in a vertical direction.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The hinge assembly comprises the hinge assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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