Simplified multifunctional hinge

Abstract

A simplified multi-functional hinge comprising a body (3) and a connecting element (5) interconnected by means of a hinge pin (7), assigned to be fixed to a door and to a frame or structure of an appliance, respectively, or vice versa, and capable of rotating relative to each other between a closed state (C) of the hinge (1), in which the hinge (1) can be opened or closed, and a maximum open state (A) of the hinge (1), in which the hinge (1) can be opened or closed. The door closes an opening of a frame or structure of the appliance, in a maximum open state, the door forms a maximum opening angle with a plane defined by an edge of the opening. The hinge (1) further comprises an elastic element (17) connected to the body (3) for transmitting an elastic closing force to the connecting element (5) by means of a transmission element (6). The transmission element (6) comprises:-a first end portion (9) constrained to the connecting element (5) by coupling of a first cam (11) and a first pin (13) obtained or fixed in the first end portion (9) and on the connecting element (5), respectively, or vice versa; -a second end portion (15) opposite the first (9) and constrained to an elastic element (17) blocking on the body (3); -an intermediate portion (19) constrained to the body (3) between the first (9) and second (15) end portions by coupling of a second cam (21) and a second pin (23) obtained or fixed in the intermediate portion (19) and on the body (3), respectively, or vice versa. The transmission element (6) is also constrained to the connecting element (5) by coupling of a third cam (24) and a third pin (27), which are obtained or fixed in the transmission element (6) and on the connecting element (5), respectively, or vice versa.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field related to hinges for household appliances, furniture, furnishings and equipment with closing doors, and refers to a simplified multifunctional hinge. Background Art

[0002] There are known hinges assigned to constrain a door of furniture or household appliances to a corresponding body, so as to allow a user to move the door between an open state and a closed state. These known hinges are equipped with a connecting element for connecting to the body of the household appliance, and with a body comprising an elastic element that facilitates actuation of the door at least in the closing or opening direction, and a force transmission element for transmitting the force of the elastic element to the connecting element. The connecting element, the transmission element, and the body of the hinge are provided with a pin that abuts a corresponding cam or a shaped groove for a metastable blocking of the door at least in a predetermined position.

[0003] A disadvantage of these known hinges lies in the fact that they are complex and therefore delicate and noisy, and expensive due to the large number of parts and the complexity required for their assembly.

[0004] Another disadvantage of known hinges is the fact that usually each of the connecting element and the transmission element is provided with both a pin and a cam, and at least one pin is connected to the elastic element, so that the machining of the individual parts and their assembly are more complicated and costly in terms of time and money. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a simplified hinge with a single elastic element and multiple functions.

[0006] Another object is to propose a simplified hinge with multiple functions in which the transmission element has a cam without a pin, or vice versa, facilitating the production and assembly of the components of the hinge itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features of the invention are emphasized below with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] - Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a simplified multifunctional hinge object according to the invention, in its partially opened state and coupled to a bracket S for fastening to a household appliance;

[0009] - Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A side view of the hinge in its closed state C;

[0010] - Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A top view of the hinge;

[0011] - Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A front view of the hinge;

[0012] - Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A side view of the hinge in its maximum open state A;

[0013] - Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A front view of the hinge;

[0014] - Figure 7 Shows Figure 5 A top view of the hinge;

[0015] - Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 A side view of the hinge;

[0016] - Figures 9 to 11 The corresponding side view, front view and top view show Figure 2 A partially transparent schematic diagram of a hinge;

[0017] - Figures 12 to 14 The corresponding side view, top view and front view show Figure 1 A partially transparent schematic diagram of a hinge;

[0018] - Figures 15 to 17 The corresponding side view, front view and top view show Figure 5 A partially transparent schematic diagram of a hinge;

[0019] - Fig.18 Shows Figure 1 Exploded axonometric view of the hinge;

[0020] - Figures 19 to 21 They are shown respectively Figure 1 A variant of the hinge is in a side view, a front view and a top view in a maximum open state A;

[0021] - Figures 22 to 24 Shows Fig.19 A partially transparent schematic diagram of a hinge;

[0022] - Fig.25 Shows Fig.19 Axonometric view of the hinge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] refer to Figures 1 to 18 , number 1 indicates a simplified multifunctional hinge object of the present invention.

[0024] The hinge 1 comprises a body 3 and a connecting element 5 which are connected to one another by means of a hinge pin 7 which defines a hinge axis of the hinge itself.

[0025] The body 3 and the connecting element 5 are preferably and respectively fixed to a door and to the structure or frame of a household appliance (e.g. an oven or a dishwasher), or vice versa, the body 3 and the connecting element 5 are respectively fixed to the frame of such a household appliance and to the door. Alternatively, the invention proposes that such a device can be used as a hinge for furniture, furnishings and the like.

[0026] The body 3 and the connecting element 5 can rotate relative to each other around the hinge axis between a closed state C of the hinge 1 and a maximum open state A of the hinge 1, in which the door of the appliance closes the opening of the internal volume of the appliance itself, and in which the door forms a maximum opening angle with the plane defined by the edge of the opening.

[0027] The hinge 1 also includes an elastic element 17, which is connected to the main body 3 and to a transmission element 6 in the shape of a plate or a slender thick plate. The transmission element 6 transmits an elastic closing force between the main body 3 and the connecting element 5 by means of the elastic element. In other words, the force tends to bring the hinge 1 to the closed state C.

[0028] The first cam 11, which is preferably constituted by a corresponding slot formed in the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6 through the thickness of the transmission element, is coupled to a first pin 13 fixed to the connecting element 5, thereby constraining the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6 to the connecting element 5. Alternatively, the first cam 11 may consist of an open concave surface or a shaped edge of a slot or of a protruding protrusion of the transmission element 6.

[0029] The first end portion 9 consists of the portion of the transmission element 6 which is closest to the hinge pin 7 .

[0030] A second end portion 15 of the transmission element 6 , opposite the first end portion 9 , is constrained to an elastic element 17 that comes into contact with the body 3 .

[0031] A second cam 21 constituted by a corresponding groove obtained in the intermediate portion 19 of the transmission element 6 between the first 9 and second 15 end portions couples with a second pin 23 fixed to the body 3 , constraining the intermediate portion 19 of the transmission element 6 to the body 3 .

[0032] The transverse dimension (ie, width) of the slots of the first and second cams 11 , 21 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the corresponding first and second pins 13 , 23 , each of which is slidably inserted through the corresponding cams 11 , 21 .

[0033] A third cam 24 consisting of a shaped edge 25 of the free end of the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6 is coupled to a third pin 27 fixed to the connection element 5 , constituting a further constraint between the transmission element 6 and the connection element 5 .

[0034] The body 3 is a U-shaped metal profile or a hollow rectangular cross-section, one end of which is pivotally connected to the hinge pin 7 .

[0035] The connecting element 5 is preferably constituted by two shaped thick plates, which are equal and parallel to each other and are spaced apart at a distance to allow the insertion between them of the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6. The connecting element 5 can be fixed in a removable manner to the body of the household appliance, or to its receiver or support S, by fitting into a suitable seat of the latter or by means of screws.

[0036] The first pin 13 and the third pin 27 are fixed between two shaped thick plates of the connecting element 5 perpendicular to them; the second pin 23 is fixed in the body 3, between two opposite faces of the latter, parallel to the first pin 13, the third pin 27 and the hinge pin 7.

[0037] The second end portion 15 of the transmission element 6 , ie its end opposite the shaped edge 25 , has a tap 26 , which is conformed by the shaping of the second end portion 15 itself and is assigned for connection with an elastic element 17 , which is an air piston or preferably a helical spring 18 .

[0038] The spring 18 preferably acts in compression with one end abutting the end of the body 3 opposite the pivoting end of the latter and provided with a spring guide 20 connected between the opposite end of the spring 18 itself and the tap 26 of the transmission element 6 .

[0039] Alternatively, the spring 18 acts in a traction manner, with one end abutting against the end of the body 3 opposite to its pivoting end and the opposite end directed toward the hinge pin 7 connected to the tapping 26 .

[0040] The first cam 11 is almost in the shape of a circular arc, its extension, ie its chord or interpolated straight line, is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the transmission element 6 , and its concave surface faces in a direction opposite to the second end portion 15 .

[0041] The second cam 21 has an almost elongated “S” shape, ie a meandering shape, and therefore has two consecutive concavities facing in opposite directions and has an arbitrary extension, preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the transmission element 6 .

[0042] The profiled edge 25 is curvilinear and is obtained along the edge of the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6 and interacts with the third pin 27 .

[0043] The first cam 11, the second cam 21 and the third cam 24 are shaped and adapted so that the third pin 27 abuts against and is always in contact with the third cam 24 itself between the closed C and the maximum open A states of the hinge 1. The shape and position of the first, second and third cams and the position of the corresponding pins help determine the behavior of the hinge and can be modified to obtain a specific behavior, movement or function.

[0044] For example, the third cam 24 preferably has a concave surface and a convex surface, which define metastable positions for the corresponding third pin 27. These metastable positions can, for example, correspond to at least one of the two end travel positions of the third pin 27 along the third cam 24, in other words, at the closed C and / or maximum open A state of the hinge 1, but they can also correspond to further intermediate states of the hinge 1, at a predetermined partial opening angle of the hinge 1 itself.

[0045] Preferably, the hinge 1 further comprises at least one friction element 29, which is made of an elastically compressible material, such as plastic, silicone or rubber, metal and other materials with elasticity, fixed along the edge of the second cam 21. The friction element 29 makes the transverse dimension of the inner cavity of the second cam 21 slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding second pin 23, so as to resist the sliding thereof and the mutual rotation resistance of the body 3 and the connecting element 5 of the hinge 1. The friction element 29 is constituted, for example, by a washer, which is fixed by interlocking along the edge of the second cam 21 to form a kind of frame for the groove of the cam itself.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, further friction elements may be fixed along the edge of the first cam 11 so as to resist sliding of the corresponding first pin 13 therealong.

[0047] Optionally, at least one of the first pin 13, the second pin 23 and the third pin 27 is provided with a roller, which is assigned to reduce the sliding friction of the pin itself along the corresponding first cam 11 or the second cam 21 or the third cam 24 to avoid jamming or irregularity. Preferably, in particular, the third pin 27 is provided with a roller to make its sliding along the third cam 24 smoother and more fluent.

[0048] Preferably, the hinge 1 also comprises shaped holes 33 formed on the body 3 for fastening the latter to the household appliance by means of corresponding screws. Each of these shaped holes 33 has a broken shape, generally like a pinwheel, with one or more protrusions 35, teeth or fins, preferably four protrusions, protruding towards the inside of the shaped hole 33 itself and making the smallest diameter of the shaped hole 33 slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding screw. These protrusions 35 are assigned to deform in an irreversible way during the tightening of the corresponding screw, so as to improve the grip of the screw itself on the corresponding shaped hole 33 and thus on the body 3, also reducing the risk of accidental unscrewing.

[0049] Preferably, the hinge 1 also includes a blocking element 31 constrained to the connecting element 5, and which can be manually operated between an interference state X and a disengagement state Y of the blocking element 31 corresponding to the maximum opening state A of the hinge 1, in which the blocking element 31 interferes with the blocking mating portion 36 of the transmission element 6 to prevent the hinge 1 from reaching its closed state C, and in the disengagement state, the blocking element does not interfere with the transmission element 6, allowing the hinge 1 to operate freely between its closed C and maximum opening A states.

[0050] The blocking element 31 preferably consists of a pin or a latch which is slidably constrained between two elongated slots 32, each formed in a corresponding shaped thick plate of the connecting element 5 and oriented almost in the direction towards the hinge pin 7. The two ends of the elongated slots 32 constitute two states for this pin or latch of the blocking element 31, for blocking and unlocking the hinge. The disengaged state Y of the blocking element 31 is achieved by the former being located at the end of the elongated slot 32 farthest from the hinge pin 7, while when the blocking element 31 is located at the opposite end of the elongated slot 32, in other words at the end closest to the hinge pin 7, it is in its interference state X and interferes with the blocking fitting 36 protruding outwards from the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6, preventing the transmission element 6 itself and the body 3 from rotating towards the closed state C of the hinge 1.

[0051] A variant of the hinge 1 proposes that the first cam 11 is obtained in the connecting element 5 and the corresponding first pin 13 is fixed to the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6, and / or the second cam 21 is double and made in the two side walls of the body 3, wherein the corresponding second pin 23 is fixed to the middle portion 19 of the transmission element 6 so that it protrudes from both sides of the former 6, and / or the third cam 24 is fixed or obtained in the connecting element 5 or obtained on the edge of the thick plate of such a connecting element 5 and the corresponding third pin 27 is fixed to the first end portion 9 of the transmission element 6 protruding from both sides. Of course, these cams 11, 21, 24 arranged in the above-described manner are in any case shaped so that the third pin 27 always leads to sliding abutment with the third cam 24.

[0052] Reference now Figures 19 to 25 A variant of the hinge 1 includes a blocking element 31, which is composed of a lever or a pawl pivotally connected to the connecting element 5 and is able to operate between the disengaged state Y and the interference state X by means of a part of the blocking element 31 itself that is accessible from the outside of the hinge 1. Correspondingly, the blocking element 31 engages with the blocking mating portion 36 of the transmission element 6 from its protruding hook end 34 to prevent the third cam 24 from sliding against the third pin 27, in other words, preventing the transmission element 6 from moving relative to the connecting element 5 and blocking the main body 3 in the maximum open state A of the hinge 1.

[0053] An advantage of the present invention is that a simplified multifunctional hinge equipped with a single elastic element 17 is provided.

[0054] Another advantage is that a simplified multifunctional hinge is proposed in which the transmission element 6 has only a cam and no pin, or vice versa, which facilitates the production and assembly of the components of the hinge 1 itself.

Claims

1. A simplified multifunctional hinge, comprising a main body (3) and a connecting element (5) connected to each other by means of a hinge pin (7), the main body (3) and the connecting element (5) being assigned to be fixed to a door and to a frame or structure of an appliance, respectively, or vice versa, and being able to rotate relative to each other between a closed state (C) of the hinge (1), in which the door closes an opening of the frame or structure of the appliance, and a maximum open state (A) of the hinge (1), in which the door forms a maximum opening angle with a plane defined by the edge of the opening; the hinge (1) further comprising an elastic element (17), which is connected to the main body (3) to transmit an elastic closing force to the connecting element (5) by means of a transmission element (6); the hinge (1) is characterized in that the transmission element (6) comprises: - a first end portion (9) constrained to the connecting element (5) by coupling a first cam (11) and a first pin (13), the first cam and the first pin being obtained or fixed in the first end portion (9) and on the connecting element (5) respectively or vice versa; - a second end portion (15) opposite the first one (9) and constrained to the elastic element (17) caught on the body (3); - an intermediate portion (19) constrained to said body (3) between said first (9) and second (15) end portions by coupling a second cam (21) and a second pin (23), said second cam and said second pin being obtained or fixed respectively in said intermediate portion (19) and on said body (3) or vice versa; The transmission element (6) is also constrained to the connection element (5) by coupling a third cam (24) and a third pin (27), the third cam and the third pin being obtained or fixed in the transmission element (6) and on the connection element (5) respectively or vice versa.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third cam (24) consists of a shaped edge (25) of the first end portion (9) and consists in that the third pin (27) is fixed to the connecting element (5).

3. The hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first cam (11) consists of a corresponding groove obtained in the first end portion (9) and the first pin (13) is fixed to the connecting element (5), and / or the second cam (21) consists of a corresponding groove obtained in the intermediate portion (19) and the second pin (23) is fixed to the body (3).

4. Hinge according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The shaped edge (25), the first cam (11) and the second cam (21) are obtained in the transmission element (6) which has an elongated shape and whose end opposite to the shaped edge (25) has a tap (26) for the elastic element (17), the latter consisting of a spring (18) operating in traction mode or a compression spring (18) provided with its own spring guide (20) connected to the tap (26).

5. The hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first cam (11) has an almost arc shape, which extends essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the transmission element (6), and / or the second cam (21) has an almost "S" shape, which extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the transmission element (6), and / or the shaped edge (25) extends or is inclined approximately parallel to the longitudinal extension of the transmission element (6), wherein the first cam (11), the second cam (21) and the third cam (24) are formed so that the third pin (27) is always in contact with the third cam (24) between the closed (C) and maximum open (A) states of the hinge (1).

6. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The third cam (24) has a concave surface and a convex surface, which define a metastable position of the third pin (27) corresponding to a respective state of the hinge (1).

7. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It also includes a friction element (29) of elastically compressible material, which is fixed along the edge of at least one of the first cam (11) and the second cam (21), and makes the lateral dimension of the first cam (11) and / or the second cam (21) slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding first pin (13) or second pin (23) to resist sliding thereof.

8. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It also includes a blocking element (31), which is constrained to the connecting element (5) and is able to operate between an interference state (X) of the blocking element (31) and a disengagement state (Y) of the blocking element (31) when approaching the maximum opening state (A), in which the blocking element interferes with the transmission element (6) to prevent the hinge (1) from reaching its closed state (C), and in the disengagement state, the blocking element does not interfere with the transmission element (6).

9. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It also comprises shaped holes (33) obtained on the body (3) for fixing the latter to the device by means of corresponding screws, each of these shaped holes (33) having a projection (35) which projects towards the inside of the shaped hole (33) itself and is intended to deform in an irreversible manner during the tightening of the corresponding screw in order to improve the grip of the screw itself.

10. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one of the first pin (13), the second pin (23) and the third pin (27) has a roller to facilitate its sliding along the corresponding first cam (11) or second cam (21) or third cam (24).

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