Multi-articulated hinge and refrigerator

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-articulation hinge, which comprises a cabinet fixed seat, a door fixed seat, a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a third connecting piece, a fourth connecting piece, a gear assembly and an elastic assembly, the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the cabinet fixed seat and the second connecting piece respectively, the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first connecting piece and the door fixed seat respectively, the third connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first connecting piece and the door fixed seat respectively, the fourth connecting piece is rotationally connected with the cabinet fixed seat and the third connecting piece respectively, the gear assembly comprises a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is arranged in the first connecting piece, and the second gear is arranged in the second connecting piece; the elastic assembly is arranged in the first connecting piece and connected with the first gear; in the process that the multi-articulation hinge is opened from a closed state to a critical state, the elastic assembly is elastically deformed through cooperation of the first gear and the second gear until the first gear and the second gear are disengaged. The multi-articulation hinge can improve the use experience of users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to hinges, and more particularly to a multi-joint hinge and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Freezer doors and cabinets are typically connected by multi-joint hinges. Chinese invention patent application CN117365212A discloses a multi-joint hinge. When the hinge is fully open, the first cam structure abuts against the cam rotating part, the elastic component is in a non-compressed state, and one end of the third connector abuts against the deceleration component. When the hinge is in a critical state, the first cam structure separates from the cam rotating part, the second cam structure abuts against the cam rotating part, and the elastic component is compressed to drive the second and fourth connectors to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the door fixing seat to rotate counterclockwise, causing the multi-joint hinge to move towards a closed state. One end of the third connector rotates counterclockwise and abuts against the deceleration component to reduce the closing speed of the multi-joint hinge until it enters the closed state. Therefore, when the door is open, the elastic component does not exert a closing force on the door; when the door passes the critical state, the elastic component exerts a closing force on the door, and the cooperation between the third connector and the deceleration component reduces the self-closing speed. However, during the opening process of the multi-joint hinge, the supporting component in the second connector is always rotating and resisting the elastic component in the fourth connector, which results in a large force required by the user to open the multi-joint hinge, reducing the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a multi-joint hinge that can improve the user experience.

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A multi-joint hinge includes a cabinet mounting base, a door mounting base, a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector. The two ends of the first connector are rotatably connected to the cabinet mounting base and the second connector, respectively. The two ends of the second connector are rotatably connected to the first connector and the door mounting base, respectively. The two ends of the third connector are rotatably connected to the first connector and the door mounting base, respectively. The two ends of the fourth connector are rotatably connected to the cabinet mounting base and the third connector, respectively. The multi-joint hinge also includes a gear assembly and an elastic component. The gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear that mesh with each other. The first gear is rotatably mounted inside the first connector, and the second gear is mounted inside the second connector and can rotate with the second connector. The elastic component is mounted inside the first connector and one end is rotatably connected to the first gear. When the multi-joint hinge is opened from a closed state to a critical state under force, the rotational engagement of the first and second gears causes the elastic component to undergo elastic deformation until the first and second gears disengage.

[0006] Furthermore, the elastic component includes an elastic element and a connecting arm. One end of the elastic element is fixed inside the first connecting member. One end of the connecting arm is slidably mounted on the first connecting member and connected to the other end of the elastic element. The other end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the first gear.

[0007] Furthermore, the connecting arm is an arc-shaped arm recessed towards the door fixing seat.

[0008] Furthermore, the first gear includes a gear body, a meshing portion, and an extension portion. The gear body is rotatably connected to the first connector. The meshing portion and the extension portion are formed on the gear body and arranged circumferentially along the gear body. The meshing portion meshes with the second gear, and the extension portion is rotatably connected to the connecting arm.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the connecting arm away from the first gear is slidably connected to the first connecting member via a first connecting shaft, and one end of the elastic member is connected to the first connecting shaft to abut against the connecting arm via the first connecting shaft; the end of the connecting arm away from the elastic member is rotatably connected to the extension via a second connecting shaft; and the gear body is rotatably connected to the first connecting member via a wheel axle.

[0010] Furthermore, when the elastic element is in a compressed state and the multi-joint hinge is in a closed state, under the action of the elastic element, the second connecting shaft abuts against the bottom of the first gear and is located between the center of the wheel axle and the first connecting shaft, so as to lock the first gear.

[0011] Furthermore, during the process of the multi-joint hinge opening from the closed state to the critical state, the second gear drives the first gear to rotate:

[0012] When the multi-joint hinge is in equilibrium between the closed state and the critical state, the second connecting shaft rotates between the first connecting shaft and the wheel axle, and the centers of the first connecting shaft, the second connecting shaft, and the wheel axle are on the same straight line, and the elastic element is compressed to its shortest length; when the multi-joint hinge is in any position between the closed state and the equilibrium state, after the external force is removed, the elastic force of the elastic element drives the multi-joint hinge to move towards the closed state.

[0013] Furthermore, as the multi-joint hinge opens from the equilibrium state to the critical state, the second gear drives the first gear to continue rotating until the second gear separates from the first gear.

[0014] Furthermore, when the multi-joint hinge is in the critical state, the second connecting shaft rotates to the side of the wheel axle center facing away from the door fixing seat, and the extension abuts against the first connecting member under the action of the elastic member to lock the first gear.

[0015] Furthermore, the first connector is provided with a snap-fit ​​portion, and when the multi-joint hinge is in the critical state, the extension portion is snapped into the snap-fit ​​portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the connecting arm includes two plates, which are located at opposite ends of the first gear; the first connecting shaft passes through one end of the two plates near the elastic member; the extension is located between the two plates, and the second connecting shaft passes through the two plates and the extension.

[0017] Furthermore, the first connector is provided with a guide groove, and the end of the first connecting shaft is slidably inserted into the guide groove.

[0018] Furthermore, the elastic element includes a mounting base and a compression spring. The mounting base includes a first seat body, a second seat body, and a telescopic member connecting the first seat body and the second seat body. The first seat body is installed inside the first connecting member, and the second seat body is sleeved on the first connecting shaft. The compression spring is sleeved on the telescopic member and elastically abuts against the first seat body and the second seat body.

[0019] Furthermore, the telescopic component includes a fixed shaft and a sliding sleeve slidably sleeved on the fixed shaft, wherein one of the fixed shaft and the sliding sleeve is fixed to the first base body, and the other is fixed to the base body.

[0020] One of the objectives of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution two:

[0021] A refrigerator comprising the aforementioned multi-joint hinge.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the multi-joint hinge of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] As the multi-joint hinge moves from the critical state to the fully open state, the first gear and the second gear disengage, so the second connecting member is no longer affected by the force of the first gear. This allows the user to open the multi-joint hinge with less external force, which improves the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a multi-joint hinge in a closed state.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cabinet fixing seat in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the door fixing seat in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first connecting member in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second connecting member in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third connecting member in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth connector in a multi-joint hinge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural diagram of the multi-joint hinge after removing the cabinet fixing base and the first connecting piece.

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure of the gear assembly and the elastic component.

[0033] Figure 10 for Figure 1 Top view of the multi-joint hinge shown;

[0034] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A cross-sectional view along line AA of the multi-joint hinge shown.

[0035] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a multi-joint hinge in a critical state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A cross-sectional view along line BB of the multi-joint hinge shown.

[0037] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the multi-joint hinge in a fully open state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A cross-sectional view along line CC of the multi-joint hinge shown.

[0039] In the diagram: 100, multi-joint hinge; 10, cabinet mounting base; 11, bottom side; 13, extension side; 131, first through hole; 132, second through hole; 15, side stop; 16, receiving groove; 17, first through shaft; 18, second through shaft; 20, door mounting base; 21, bottom plate; 23, side plate; 231, first retaining hole; 232, second retaining hole; 25, first retaining shaft; 26, second retaining shaft; 30. First connecting member; 31, bottom; 310, snap-fit ​​part; 32, side part; 321, first fixing hole; 322, second fixing hole; 323, third fixing hole; 324, mounting hole; 325, guide groove; 34, first fixing shaft; 35, second fixing shaft; 40, second connecting member; 41, side plate part; 411, first connecting hole; 412, second connecting hole; 42, connecting plate; 50, third connecting member; 51, connecting plate 53. Connecting part; 531. First retaining hole; 532. Second retaining hole; 533. Third retaining hole; 56. Retaining shaft; 60. Fourth connecting member; 61. Main body; 62. First end; 621. First hole; 63. Second end; 631. Second hole; 70. Gear assembly; 71. First gear; 711. Gear body; 712. Shaft hole; 713. Axle; 714. Meshing tooth part; 716. Extension part 72. Second gear; 721. Sleeve hole; 80. Elastic component; 81. Elastic element; 83. Connecting arm; 832. Plate; 834. First through hole; 835. Second through hole; 84. Mounting base; 841. First base body; 843. Second base body; 845. Telescopic component; 846. Fixed shaft; 847. Sliding sleeve; 85. First connecting shaft; 86. Second connecting shaft; 87. Compression spring; 90. Reduction assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it may be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be set directly on the other component or it may be set through another intermediate component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Please also see Figure 1 , Figure 8 and Figure 12 A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-joint hinge 100, comprising a cabinet fixing base 10, a door fixing base 20, a first connecting member 30, a second connecting member 40, a third connecting member 50, a fourth connecting member 60, a gear assembly 70, and an elastic component 80. The two ends of the first connecting member 30 are rotatably connected to the cabinet fixing base 10 and the second connecting member 40, respectively; the two ends of the second connecting member 40 are rotatably connected to the first connecting member 30 and the door fixing base 20, respectively; the two ends of the third connecting member 50 are rotatably connected to the first connecting member 30 and the door fixing base 20, respectively; the two ends of the fourth connecting member 60 are rotatably connected to the cabinet fixing base 10 and the third connecting member 50, respectively; the gear assembly 70 is installed within the first connecting member 30 and the second connecting member 40; the elastic component 80 is installed within the first connecting member 30 and elastically abuts against the gear assembly 70.

[0044] The cabinet mounting bracket 10 is used to fix the refrigerator to the cabinet (not shown). In this embodiment, the multi-hinged hinge 100 is used on the refrigerator, and the cabinet mounting bracket 10 is fixed to the refrigerator cabinet. Please refer to the following: Figure 2The cabinet mounting base 10 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, which increases structural strength while accommodating other components, reducing the volume of the multi-joint hinge 100, and protecting other components. The cabinet mounting base 10 includes a bottom side 11, a pair of extended sides 13 extending vertically from both sides of the bottom side 11, and a side stop 15 connecting the bottom side 11 and the pair of extended sides 13. A receiving groove 16 for accommodating other components is formed between the bottom side 11, the extended sides 13, and the side stop 15. A first through hole 131 and a second through hole 132 are spaced apart on the extended sides 13. The first through hole 131 is fixed by a first through shaft 17, and the second through hole 132 is fixed by a second through shaft 18.

[0045] The door mounting bracket 20 is used to fix the door to the refrigerator. In this embodiment, the multi-hinged hinge 100 is applied to the refrigerator, and the door mounting bracket 20 is fixed to the refrigerator door. Please refer to the following: Figure 3 The door mounting base 20 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, which increases structural strength while accommodating other components, reducing the volume of the multi-joint hinge 100, and protecting other components. The door mounting base 20 includes a base plate 21 and a pair of side plates 23 extending vertically from both sides of the base plate 21. The side plates 23 are provided with first retaining holes 231 and second retaining holes 232 spaced apart. The pair of first retaining holes 231 on the side plates 23 are fixed by a first retaining shaft 25, and the pair of second retaining holes 232 on the side plates 23 are fixed by a second retaining shaft 26.

[0046] Please refer to the above as well. Figure 4 The first connector 30 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section. While increasing structural strength, the interior of the first connector 30 can accommodate other components, reducing the hinge's volume and protecting these components. The first connector 30 includes a bottom 31 and two side portions 32 extending vertically from both sides of the bottom 31. The side portions 32 are provided with a first fixing hole 321, a second fixing hole 322, and a third fixing hole 323 located between the first fixing hole 321 and the second fixing hole 322. The first fixing hole 321 is fixed by a first fixing shaft 34; the second fixing hole 322 is fixed by a second through shaft 18, thereby allowing one end of the first connector 30 to be rotatably connected to the cabinet mounting base 10; the third fixing hole 323 is fixed by a second fixing shaft 35. The end of the first connector 30 with the second fixing hole 322 is received by the receiving groove 16 of the cabinet mounting base 10.

[0047] Please refer to the above as well. Figure 5The second connector 40 includes a pair of spaced-apart side plate portions 41 and a connecting plate 42 connecting the pair of side plate portions 41. The side plate portions 41 are provided with spaced-apart first connecting holes 411 and second connecting holes 412. A first fixing shaft 34 passes through and fixes the pair of first connecting holes 411 on the pair of side plate portions 41, so that one end of the second connector 40 is rotatably connected to the first connector 30. A first retaining shaft 25 passes through and fixes the pair of second connecting holes 412 on the pair of side plate portions 41, so that the other end of the second connector 40 is rotatably connected to the door body fixing seat 20.

[0048] Please refer to the above as well. Figure 6 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 The third connector 50 includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 53 and a connecting portion 51 connecting the pair of sidewalls 53; the connecting portion 51 can be a rod and / or plate for fixing the pair of sidewalls 53. The sidewalls 53 are provided with a first retaining hole 531, a second retaining hole 532, and a third retaining hole 533 located between the first retaining hole 531 and the second retaining hole 532. A pair of first retaining holes 531 on the pair of sidewalls 53 are fixed by a second retaining shaft 26, so that one end of the third connector 50 is received in the door fixing seat 20 and rotatably connected to the door fixing seat 20. A pair of second retaining holes 532 on the pair of sidewalls 53 are fixed by a second retaining shaft 35, so that the other end of the third connector 50 is received in the first connector 30 and rotatably connected to the first connector 30. A pair of third retaining holes 533 on the pair of sidewalls 53 are fixedly passed through by the retaining shaft 56.

[0049] Please refer to the above as well. Figure 7 The fourth connector 60 is generally plate-shaped, having a main body 61 and a first end 62 and a second end 63 located at opposite ends of the main body 61. The first end 62 has a first hole 621, through which a first through shaft 17 passes and fixes, allowing the first end 62 of the fourth connector 60 to be received within the cabinet mounting base 10 and rotatably connected to it. The second end 63 has a second hole 631, through which a retaining shaft 56 passes and fixes, allowing the second end 63 of the fourth connector 60 to be received within the third connector 50 and rotatably connected to it.

[0050] Please see also Figure 9 The gear assembly 70 includes a first gear 71 and a second gear 72 that mesh with each other. The first gear 71 is rotatably mounted in the first connector 30, and the second gear 72 is mounted in the second connector 40 and can rotate together with the second connector 40.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first gear 71 includes a gear body 711, a meshing portion 714, and an extension portion 716. The gear body 711 is rotatably connected to the first connecting member 30. Specifically, mounting holes 324 are provided on both sides 32 of the first connecting member 30, and the mounting holes 324 are located between the second fixing hole 322 and the first fixing hole 321. The gear body 711 is provided with a shaft hole 712, and the mounting holes 324 and shaft holes 712 on both sides 32 are fixed by a wheel axle 713, so that the first gear 71 is rotatably connected to the first connecting member 30. The meshing portion 714 and the extension portion 716 are both formed on the gear body 711 and are arranged along the circumference of the gear body 711.

[0052] The second gear 72 is generally fan-shaped and has a socket 721. The second gear 72 is located between the two side plates 41 of the second connector 40, and the socket 721 is pierced by the first fixed shaft 34. The second gear 72 is fixed to the two side plates 41 of the second connector 40 so that it can move together with the second connector 40. The second gear 72 can engage and disengage with the meshing teeth 714 of the first gear 71.

[0053] The elastic component 80 is installed inside the first connector 30 and one end is rotatably connected to the first gear 71. In this embodiment, the elastic component 80 includes an elastic element 81 and a connecting arm 83. One end of the elastic element 81 is fixed inside the first connector 30; one end of the connecting arm 83 is slidably installed on the first connector 30 and connected to the other end of the elastic element 81, and the other end of the connecting arm 83 is rotatably connected to the first gear 71.

[0054] In this embodiment, the elastic element 81 includes a mounting base 84 and a compression spring 87. The mounting base 84 includes a first seat 841, a second seat 843, and a telescopic element 845 connecting the first seat 841 and the second seat 843. The first seat 841 is installed inside the first connecting member 30. In this embodiment, the first seat 841 is sleeved on the second through shaft 18 to be installed inside the first connecting member 30 via the second through shaft 18. The second seat 843 is sleeved on the first connecting shaft 85. The compression spring 87 is sleeved on the telescopic element 845 and elastically resists the first seat 841 and the second seat 843, keeping the elastic element 81 in a compressed state.

[0055] In this embodiment, the telescopic member 845 includes a fixed shaft 846 and a sliding sleeve 847 slidably sleeved on the fixed shaft 846. One end of the fixed shaft 846 outside the sliding sleeve 847 is fixedly connected to the first base 841, and the end of the sliding sleeve 847 away from the fixed shaft 846 is fixedly connected to the second base 843. A compression spring 87 is sleeved on the fixed shaft 846 and the sliding sleeve 847, and the telescopic member 845 can telescopically move with the elastic deformation of the compression spring 87. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the fixed shaft 846 can also be fixedly connected to the second base 843, and the sliding sleeve 847 can be fixedly connected to the first base 841.

[0056] The connecting arm 83 is an arc-shaped plate structure recessed towards the door fixing seat 20. One end of the connecting arm 83 is slidably mounted on the first connecting member 30 and connected to the end of the elastic member 81 away from the mounting seat 84. In this embodiment, the end of the connecting arm 83 near the elastic member 81 is slidably connected to the first connecting member 30 through a first connecting shaft 85. Specifically, the two sides 32 of the first connecting member 30 are also provided with guide grooves 325 extending in a straight line between the second fixing hole 322 and the third fixing hole 323. The connecting arm 83 includes two plates 832, which are located at opposite ends of the first gear 71. The ends of the two plates 832 near the elastic member 81 are provided with first insertion holes 834. The first insertion holes 834 of the two plates 832 are fixedly inserted by the first connecting shaft 85, and the two ends of the first connecting shaft 85 are slidably inserted into the guide grooves 325 of the two sides 32. The second seat 843 of the mounting seat 84 is sleeved on the first connecting shaft 85 so that the elastic member 81 and the connecting arm 83 abut against each other. The end of the connecting arm 83 away from the elastic member 81 is rotatably connected to the extension 716 via a second connecting shaft 86. In this embodiment, the ends of the two plates 832 away from the elastic member 81 are provided with second insertion holes 835. The two plates 832 are located on opposite sides of the extension 716, that is, the extension 716 is located between the two connecting plates 42. The second connecting shaft 86 passes through the second insertion holes 835 of the two plates 832 and the extension 716, thereby making the end of the connecting arm 83 away from the elastic member 81 rotatably connected to the extension 716.

[0057] When the multi-joint hinge 100 is subjected to force from the closed state ( Figure 11 Towards a critical state Figures 12 to 13 During the opening process, the rotational engagement of the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 causes the elastic component 80 to undergo elastic deformation; the multi-joint hinge 100 is subjected to force exceeding the critical state and moves towards the fully open state. Figures 14 to 15 During the movement, the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 disengage.

[0058] In this embodiment, the multi-joint hinge 100 can switch between four different states. Specifically: when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the fully open state, the angle between the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 is an obtuse angle, for example, 115 degrees; when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the balanced state, the angle between the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 is an acute angle, for example, 60 degrees; when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the critical state, the angle between the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 is an acute angle, for example, 60 degrees; and when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the closed state, the angle between the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 is 0 degrees.

[0059] When using the multi-joint hinge 100, the cabinet fixing seat 10 is fixedly connected to the cabinet, and the door fixing seat 20 is fixedly connected to the door. When the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the closed state, the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 are arranged parallel to each other, and the first connecting member 30, the second connecting member 40, the third connecting member 50, and the fourth connecting member 60 are housed between them. At this time, the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 are in a meshing state, and under the action of the elastic member 81, the second connecting shaft 86 abuts against the bottom 31 of the first gear 71 and is located between the center of the axle 713 and the first connecting shaft 85. Thus, the elastic member 81 applies an upward force to the first gear 71 to tighten the first gear 71, and the first gear 71 tightens the second gear 72, thereby locking the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 and preventing the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 from rotating arbitrarily and causing the multi-joint hinge 100 to open accidentally.

[0060] As the multi-joint hinge 100 opens from the closed state toward the critical state, the second gear 72 is engaged with the first gear 71. Driven by the second connecting member 40, the second gear 72 moves along... Figure 11 The clockwise rotation of the viewing angle causes the first gear 71 to rotate counterclockwise. The rotation of the first gear 71 causes the second connecting shaft 86 to rotate around the wheel axle 713, and the first connecting shaft 85 to slide along the guide groove 325, causing the elastic element 81 to undergo elastic deformation. During this process, when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in equilibrium between the closed state and the critical state, the second connecting shaft 86 rotates between the first connecting shaft 85 and the wheel axle 713, and the centers of the first connecting shaft 85, the second connecting shaft 86, and the wheel axle 713 are on the same straight line. The elastic element 81 is compressed to its shortest length, and at this point, the preload exerted by the elastic element 81 on the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 is at its maximum. When the multi-joint hinge 100 is in any position between the closed state and the equilibrium state, after the external force is removed, the elastic force of the elastic element 81 drives the multi-joint hinge 100 to move towards the closed state, thereby preventing the multi-joint hinge 100 from opening due to misoperation.

[0061] When the external force on the multi-swing hinge 100 is greater than the preload force on the multi-swing hinge 100, the second gear 72 can resist the preload force of the elastic member 81 and continue to drive the first gear 71 to rotate, thereby allowing the multi-swing hinge 100 to continue opening from the equilibrium state to the critical state. During the process of the multi-swing hinge 100 opening from the equilibrium state to the critical state, the second gear 72 drives the first gear 71 to continue rotating until the second gear 72 separates from the first gear 71. Thus, when the multi-swing hinge 100 is in the critical state, the second gear 72 and the first gear 71 are in a disengaged state. At this time, the second connecting member 40 is no longer subjected to the force applied by the elastic member 81 through the first gear 71, so that the user can continue to open the multi-swing hinge 100 with a smaller external force. Simultaneously, when the multi-joint hinge 100 is in a critical state, the second connecting shaft 86 rotates with the first gear 71 to the side opposite to the door fixing seat 20 at the center of the axle 713. At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 81 causes the extension 716 to abut against the bottom 31 of the first connecting member 30 to lock the first gear 71 and prevent the first gear 71 from rotating arbitrarily. This ensures that the second gear 72 can smoothly mesh with the first gear 71 during the closing of the multi-joint hinge 100. In this embodiment, the bottom 31 of the first connecting member 30 is also provided with a locking part 310, which is a locking groove formed on the bottom 31. When the multi-joint hinge 100 is in a critical state, the extension 716 of the first gear 71 is locked to the locking part 310, thereby making its locking of the first gear 71 more reliable.

[0062] When the multi-joint hinge 100 is in the fully open state, the angle between the door fixing seat 20 and the cabinet fixing seat 10 is an obtuse angle, for example, 115 degrees. At this time, the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 are disengaged, and the elastic component 80 does not apply a closing force to the door fixing seat 20, thereby effectively avoiding the impact risk to the user caused by the automatic closing of the door fixing seat 20, improving the safety of use, and also making it easier for the user to take and put things.

[0063] When the refrigerator door needs to be closed, the multi-hinged hinge 100 needs to be closed from the fully open state to the critical state until the first gear 71 engages with the second gear 72 again. After engagement, the second gear 72 moves along the second connecting member 40. Figure 15A counter-clockwise rotation of the viewing angle causes the second gear 72 to rotate clockwise. This rotation of the second gear 72 causes the second connecting shaft 86 to rotate around the wheel axle 713, thereby disengaging the extension 716 from the engaging portion 310 of the first connecting member 30. Simultaneously, the rotation of the second gear 72 also causes the first connecting shaft 85 to slide along the guide groove 325, compressing the elastic member 81 until the multi-joint hinge 100 reaches a balanced state. At this point, the elastic member 81 is compressed to its shortest length, and the preload exerted by the elastic member 81 on the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 is at its maximum. The external force required for the multi-joint hinge 100 to continue closing at this point must be greater than the preload force on the multi-joint hinge 100 to allow the first gear 71 to continue driving the second gear 72 to rotate, thus causing the multi-joint hinge 100 to move past the balanced state and close towards the closed state. When the multi-joint hinge 100 is in a position between the closed state and the equilibrium state, after the external force is removed, the elastic force of the elastic element 81 drives the multi-joint hinge 100 to move automatically to the closed state until the multi-joint hinge 100 is closed.

[0064] In this embodiment, the multi-joint hinge 100 further includes a speed reduction assembly 90, which is fixed to the second gear 72 and can elastically abut or separate from the bottom 31 of the first connecting member 30. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the multi-joint hinge 100 closes from the balanced state to the closed state, the speed reduction assembly 90 elastically abuts against the bottom 31 of the first connecting member 30 to reduce the speed at which the multi-joint hinge 100 automatically closes, thereby reducing vibration and extending the service life of the multi-joint hinge 100. The speed reduction assembly 90 can be a damper or similar device from the prior art, which will not be described in detail here for brevity.

[0065] The present invention also includes a refrigerator comprising the aforementioned multi-joint hinge 100.

[0066] As the multi-joint hinge 100 moves from the critical state to the fully open state, the first gear 71 and the second gear 72 disengage, so that the second connecting member 40 is no longer affected by the force of the first gear 71. This allows the user to apply a small external force to open the multi-joint hinge 100, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0067] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention, and all of these fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-joint hinge, comprising a cabinet mounting base, a door mounting base, a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector, wherein both ends of the first connector are rotatably connected to the cabinet mounting base and the second connector, both ends of the second connector are rotatably connected to the first connector and the door mounting base, both ends of the third connector are rotatably connected to the first connector and the door mounting base, and both ends of the fourth connector are rotatably connected to the cabinet mounting base and the third connector, characterized in that: The multi-joint hinge further includes a gear assembly and an elastic component. The gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear that mesh with each other. The first gear is rotatably mounted in the first connecting member, and the second gear is mounted in the second connecting member and can rotate together with the second connecting member. The elastic component is mounted in the first connecting member and one end is rotatably connected to the first gear. When the multi-joint hinge is subjected to force to open from a closed state to a critical state, the rotational engagement of the first gear and the second gear causes the elastic component to undergo elastic deformation until the first gear and the second gear disengage.

2. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic component includes an elastic element and a connecting arm. One end of the elastic element is fixed inside the first connecting member. One end of the connecting arm is slidably mounted on the first connecting member and connected to the other end of the elastic element. The other end of the connecting arm is rotatably connected to the first gear.

3. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting arm is an arc-shaped arm recessed towards the door fixing seat.

4. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The first gear includes a gear body, a meshing portion, and an extension portion. The gear body is rotatably connected to the first connector. The meshing portion and the extension portion are formed on the gear body and arranged circumferentially along the gear body. The meshing portion meshes with the second gear, and the extension portion is rotatably connected to the connecting arm.

5. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The end of the connecting arm away from the first gear is slidably connected to the first connecting member via a first connecting shaft. One end of the elastic member is connected to the first connecting shaft to abut against the connecting arm via the first connecting shaft. The end of the connecting arm away from the elastic member is rotatably connected to the extension via a second connecting shaft. The gear body is rotatably connected to the first connecting member via a wheel axle.

6. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 5, characterized in that: When the elastic element is in a compressed state, and the multi-joint hinge is in a closed state, the second connecting shaft abuts against the bottom of the first gear under the action of the elastic element, and is located between the center of the wheel axle and the first connecting shaft, so as to lock the first gear.

7. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 6, characterized in that: During the process of the multi-joint hinge opening from the closed state to the critical state, the second gear drives the first gear to rotate: When the multi-joint hinge is in equilibrium between the closed state and the critical state, the second connecting shaft rotates between the first connecting shaft and the wheel axle, and the centers of the first connecting shaft, the second connecting shaft, and the wheel axle are on the same straight line, and the elastic element is compressed to its shortest length; when the multi-joint hinge is in any position between the closed state and the equilibrium state, after the external force is removed, the elastic force of the elastic element drives the multi-joint hinge to move towards the closed state.

8. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 7, characterized in that: As the multi-joint hinge opens from the equilibrium state toward the critical state, the second gear drives the first gear to continue rotating until the second gear separates from the first gear.

9. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 8, characterized in that: When the multi-joint hinge is in the critical state, the second connecting shaft rotates to the side of the wheel axle facing away from the door fixing seat, and the extension abuts against the first connecting member under the action of the elastic member to lock the first gear.

10. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The first connector is provided with a snap-fit ​​part, and when the multi-joint hinge is in the critical state, the extension part is snapped into the snap-fit ​​part.

11. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting arm includes two plates, which are located at opposite ends of the first gear; the first connecting shaft passes through the end of the two plates near the elastic member; the extension is located between the two plates, and the second connecting shaft passes through the two plates and the extension.

12. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The first connector is provided with a guide groove, and the end of the first connecting shaft is slidably inserted into the guide groove.

13. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic element includes a mounting base and a compression spring. The mounting base includes a first seat body, a second seat body, and a telescopic member connecting the first seat body and the second seat body. The first seat body is installed inside the first connecting member, and the second seat body is sleeved on the first connecting shaft. The compression spring is sleeved on the telescopic member and elastically abuts against the first seat body and the second seat body.

14. The multi-joint hinge as described in claim 13, characterized in that: The telescopic component includes a fixed shaft and a sliding sleeve slidably fitted on the fixed shaft. One of the fixed shaft and the sliding sleeve is fixed to the first base, and the other is fixed to the base.

15. A refrigerator, characterized in that: Including the multi-joint hinge as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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