Refrigerator capable of being opened in two directions and opening method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator capable of being opened in two directions and an opening method thereof.The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a refrigerator door and hinges, one side of the refrigerator door and one side of the refrigerator body are connected through at least one set of hinges, the other side of the refrigerator door and the other side of the refrigerator body are connected through at least one set of hinges, and each hinge comprises a buckling piece, a shaft body and a rotating motor; one of the buckling piece and the shaft body is connected to the box body, the other one of the buckling piece and the shaft body is connected to the box door, the buckling piece is provided with a rotating shaft, the rotating motor drives the buckling piece to rotate with the rotating shaft as the axis to finally form a first state in which the buckling piece and the shaft body are buckled and a second state in which the buckling piece and the shaft body are separated, and in the first state, the buckling piece and the shaft body are buckled. The buckling piece can rotate around the shaft body. According to the refrigerator capable of being opened in the two directions, the hinge capable of being opened and closed is utilized, the use mode that the refrigerator door of the refrigerator can be opened from the left side to the right side is achieved, and therefore various inconveniences caused by the refrigerator door which can only be opened in one direction are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a refrigerator with a door that can be opened in both directions and an opening method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, refrigerators on the market all have doors that open in one direction, that is, the doors all rotate around a fixed hinge axis, which causes a series of problems, such as: refrigerator doors that rotate around a fixed hinge axis are generally arranged to be conveniently opened by right-handed users in order to meet the needs of most people, which causes inconvenience to left-handed users; the layout of the refrigerator needs to be considered when placing it at home, because the opening direction of the refrigerator door is fixed, so it is necessary to reserve space on the opening path of the door to avoid obstruction; when using the refrigerator, the user always needs to consider the space utilization inside the refrigerator because the refrigerator shaft is fixed; when the user carries items, one hand is occupied, and the other hand that is not occupied needs to be used to open the refrigerator. Since the opening direction of the refrigerator door is fixed, the user sometimes needs to laboriously change the hand for carrying items. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a refrigerator with a door that can be opened in both directions and an opening method thereof, which can realize that the refrigerator door can be opened from both the left and right sides.

[0004] Specifically, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A refrigerator with a door that can be opened in both directions comprises a box body, a box door and a hinge, wherein one side of the box door and one side of the box body, and the other side of the box door and the other side of the box body are connected by at least one group of hinges, and the hinge comprises a fastener, a shaft and a rotating motor, one of the fastener and the shaft is connected to the box body, and the other of the fastener and the shaft is connected to the box door, the fastener has a rotating shaft, and the rotating motor drives the fastener to rotate around the rotating shaft to finally form: a first state in which the fastener and the shaft are fastened and a second state in which the fastener and the shaft are disengaged, and in the first state, the fastener can rotate around the shaft.

[0006] Furthermore, the buckling piece has a buckling portion and two open portions, the two open portions are respectively connected to two sides of the buckling portion, the shaft body is embedded in the buckling portion, and the two open portions extend in a direction away from the buckling portion to form an open mouth.

[0007] Furthermore, a snap-fitting channel is formed from the open mouth to the snap-fitting portion, and the width of any cross section on the snap-fitting channel is not less than the size of the shaft body.

[0008] Further, the fastening channel is on the base circle formed with the rotation shaft as the center of the circle.

[0009] Further, the fastening portion is arc-shaped, the fastening portion fits with the outer edge of the shaft body, and the shape of the fastening portion is an arc not greater than 1 / 2.

[0010] Further, the fastening member further has an upper end portion, a connecting portion and a tail end portion. The connecting portion connects the upper end portion and the tail end portion. The rotation shaft is provided on the upper end portion. One side surface of the connecting portion forms the fastening portion. A fastening channel is formed between the upper end portion and the tail end portion. The upper end portion, the connecting portion and the tail end portion are all streamlined structures with a curvature.

[0011] Further, the number of the hinges on the same side of the box body is two, and the installation directions of the two hinges on the same side of the box body are opposite.

[0012] Further, door handles for opening the box door are provided on both sides of the box door. A touch sensor is provided on each door handle. The touch sensor receives a touch signal on the touched door handle and drives the fastening member and the shaft body of the hinge on the same side of the refrigerator to be disengaged and drives the fastening member and the shaft body of the hinge on the opposite side of the refrigerator to be fastened.

[0013] Further, a distance sensor for measuring whether the box door is opened is provided between each side of the box body and the corresponding side of the box door.

[0014] An opening method for a refrigerator capable of two-way door opening, the above-mentioned refrigerator capable of two-way door opening, wherein the opening method includes:

[0015] Step S1: When the user touches the door handle, the touch sensor receives the touch signal on the touched door handle;

[0016] Step S2: The distance sensor measures whether the box door is in an open state according to the distance between the box door and the box body. If it is detected that any side is in an open state, no operation is performed; if it is detected that both sides are in a non-open state, step S3 is executed;

[0017] Step S3: The hinge on the same side as the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is loosened, and the hinge on the other side of the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is locked.

[0018] The present invention provides a refrigerator capable of two-way door opening and an opening method thereof. By using a hinge that can be opened and closed, the box door of the refrigerator can be opened from both the left and the right, thus solving various inconveniences brought by a refrigerator door that can only be opened unidirectionally.

[0019] The present invention uses a contact sensor in cooperation with a hinge that can be opened and closed, so as to complete the latching of one hinge and the opening of the other hinge when the user touches the door handle, facilitating the user to quickly open the door of the box in any one of the two directions on both sides. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hinge of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a top view of the upper left hinge of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a top view of the upper right hinge of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator with a two-way opening door of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the installation directions of the four hinges of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the process of selecting the opening and closing of the hinges on both sides of a refrigerator with a two-way opening door of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the hinge and the hinge installation structure of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings: 1, hinge; 11, latching member; 111, rotating shaft; 112, latching portion; 113, open portion; 114, open mouth; 115, latching channel; 116, upper end portion; 117, connecting portion; 118, tail end portion; 12, shaft body; 121, shaft body fixing portion; 1211, shaft body installation groove; 13, rotating motor; 131, latching member connecting portion; 2, door handle; 3, touch sensor; 4, distance sensor; 1A, upper left hinge; 1B, upper right hinge; 1C, lower left hinge; 1D, lower right hinge; 12A, upper left shaft body; 12B, upper right shaft body; 12C, lower left shaft body; 12D, lower right shaft body. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0028] Here, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and the examples are shown in the drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0029] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meanings as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first", "second" and similar words used in the specification and claims of this application do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "a" or "an" do not denote a limitation of quantity, but mean that there is at least one. "Plurality" or "several" means two or more. Unless otherwise indicated, words such as "front", "rear", "lower" and / or "upper" are for convenience only and are not limited to a position or a spatial orientation. Words such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the elements or items appearing before "comprising" or "including" cover the elements or items listed after "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or items. Words such as "connected" or "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, and may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The singular forms "a", "the" and "said" used in the specification and appended claims of this application are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a hinge 1 is shown to include: a fastening member 11, a shaft body 12, and a rotating motor 13. Among them, the rotating motor 13 drives the fastening member 11 to rotate about a rotating shaft 111, and finally presents two states, namely, a state of being fastened to the shaft body 12 and a state of being disengaged from the shaft body 12. In the state where the fastening member 11 is fastened to the shaft body 12, the fastening member 11 no longer rotates about the rotating shaft 111 but rotates about the shaft body 12.

[0031] In the state where the fastening member 11 is fastened to the shaft body 12, the fastening member 11 rotates about the shaft body 12, which specifically means that: the whole including the fastening member 11, the rotating shaft 111, and the rotating motor 13 can rotate about the shaft body 12 through the fastening of the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12. During the process of the whole including the fastening member 11, the rotating shaft 111, and the rotating motor 13 rotating about the shaft body 12, the fastening member 11 cannot rotate about the rotating shaft 111.

[0032] The rotating motor 13 provides kinetic energy for the rotation of the fastening member 11. Similarly, the output shaft of the rotating motor 13 can also fix the fastening member 11 in the rotating direction in a fixed state, thereby forming a structure in which the rotating motor 13 controls the rotation and stop of the fastening member 11 around the rotating shaft 111; when the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 are in a fastened state, the output shaft of the rotating motor 13 remains stationary, and a situation can be formed where the fastening member 11 cannot rotate around the rotating shaft 111 but rotates around the shaft body 12.

[0033] See Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the fastening member 11 has a fastening portion 112 and two open portions 113. The two open portions 113 are respectively connected to both sides of the fastening portion 112. In the state where the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 are fastened, the shaft body 12 can be embedded in the fastening portion 112. One end of each of the two open portions 113 is connected to both ends of the fastening portion 112 respectively. The other ends of the two fastening portions 112 extend in a direction away from the fastening portion 112, and an open mouth 114 is formed between the other ends of the two fastening portions 112. A fastening channel 115 is formed from the open mouth 114 to the fastening portion 112. The fastening channel 115 is on the base circle formed with the rotating shaft 111 as the center.

[0034] During the fastening process of the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12, the fastening member 11 rotates around the rotating shaft 111, so that the shaft body 12 enters the fastening channel 115 from the open mouth 114 and is then fastened to the fastening portion 112, forming the fastening of the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12; during the separation process of the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12, the fastening member 11 rotates around the rotating shaft 111, so that the shaft body 12 enters the fastening channel 115 from the fastening portion 112 and finally exits from the open mouth 114, realizing the separation of the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12.

[0035] The width of any cross-section on the fastening channel 115 is not less than the size of the shaft body 12. Specifically, in order to facilitate the entry of the shaft body 12 into the fastening channel 115, on any cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction of the fastening channel 115, the width of the fastening channel 115 should be greater than or equal to the width of the shaft body 12 at the entry into the fastening channel 115; preferably, the two open portions 113 from the fastening portion 112 to the open mouth 114 are away from each other, so that the fastening channel 115 shows a gradually increasing width, in order to facilitate the shaft body 12 to gradually penetrate into the fastening portion 112 from the open mouth 114.

[0036] The fastening member 11 further has an upper end portion 116, a connecting portion 117, and a tail end portion 118. The connecting portion 117 connects the upper end portion 116 and the tail end portion 118. The rotating shaft 111 is provided on the upper end portion 116. A fastening portion 112 is formed on one side surface of the connecting portion 117. A fastening channel 115 is formed between the upper end portion 116 and the tail end portion 118. It should be noted that the upper end portion 116, the connecting portion 117, and the tail end portion 118 are all streamlined structures with arcs. Compared with the angular structure, the area swept by the first fastening portion 112 with an arc during rotation is smaller, saving space. In a preferred embodiment, it is set as Figures 2 to 3 shown in the shape of a tama jade.

[0037] Specifically, in order to facilitate the rotation of the fastening member 11 around the shaft body 12, the outer edge of the part of the shaft body 12 that cooperates with the fastening member 11 is set to be circular, and the fastening portion 112 is in an arc shape, and the fastening portion 112 fits with the outer edge of the shaft body 12. In order to facilitate the separation of the shaft body 12 from the fastening member 11, the shape of the fastening portion 112 is an arc not greater than 1 / 2.

[0038] Refer to Figure 4 shown, which shows a refrigerator with a double - way opening door. The refrigerator has a door and a cabinet body. A hinge 1 is used between the door and the cabinet body. Among them, both sides of the door and both sides of the cabinet body are respectively connected by no less than one group of hinges 1. Preferably, as Figure 4 shown, an upper - left - corner hinge 1A, an upper - right - corner hinge 1B, a lower - left - corner hinge 1C, and a lower - right - corner hinge 1D are respectively arranged at the upper - left corner, upper - right corner, lower - left corner, and lower - right corner of the refrigerator. Specifically, the two sides mentioned above are Figure 4 the left and right sides in

[0039] That is, the upper - left - corner hinge 1A and the lower - left - corner hinge 1C are hinges 1 on the same side; the upper - right - corner hinge 1B and the lower - right - corner hinge 1D are hinges 1 on the same side.

[0040] The hinges 1 on the same side of the cabinet body are two in number, and the installation directions of the two hinges 1 on the same side of the cabinet body are opposite. Specifically, refer to Figure 5As shown, the upper left corner fastening member of the upper left hinge 1A is installed on the box body, and the upper left shaft body 12A of the upper left hinge 1A is installed on the door of the box; the lower left corner fastening member of the lower left hinge 1C is installed on the door of the box, and the lower left shaft body 12C of the lower left hinge 1C is installed on the box body; the upper right corner fastening member of the upper right hinge 1B is installed on the box body, and the upper right shaft body 12B of the upper right hinge 1B is installed on the door of the box; the lower right corner fastening member of the lower right hinge 1D is installed on the door of the box, and the lower right shaft body 12D of the lower right hinge 1D is installed on the box body; such a setting can more stably realize the connection between the door of the box and the box body.

[0041] On both sides of the door of the box, there are door handles 2 for opening the door of the box. Here, the door handle 2 is not limited to a handle and can refer to any specific structure for opening the door of the refrigerator. Each door handle 2 is provided with a touch sensor 3. When the user touches the door handle 2, the touch sensor 3 receives the touch signal on the touched door handle 2 and drives the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 of the hinge 1 on the same side of the refrigerator to disengage and drives the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 of the hinge 1 on the opposite side of the refrigerator to engage. At this time, the user can open the door of the refrigerator from the side of the door handle 2 that was touched before.

[0042] Between each side of the box body and the corresponding side of the door of the box, there is a distance sensor 4 for measuring whether the door of the box is opened; see Figure 6 As shown, when the user touches the door handle 2, the touch sensor 3 receives the touch signal on the touched door handle 2; at this time, the distance sensor 4 measures whether the door of the box is in the open state according to the distance between the door of the box and the box body. When it is detected that any side is in the open state, no operation is performed, that is, the hinge 1 remains unchanged; when it is detected that both sides are in the unopened state, an operation is performed. The specific operation is: the hinge 1 on the same side as the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is relaxed, that is, the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 of the hinge 1 on the same side are disengaged; the hinge 1 on the other side of the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is locked, that is, the fastening member 11 and the shaft body 12 of the hinge 1 on the other side are engaged.

[0043] For example: in the normal closed state of the refrigerator, when the user needs to open the door from the left side, the touch sensor 3 on the door handle 2 of the left side door of the box will be touched. At this time, after the distance sensor 4 measures that both sides of the door of the box are in the unopened state according to the distance between the door of the box and the box body, the upper left hinge 1A and the lower left hinge 1C are relaxed, and the upper right hinge 1B and the lower right hinge 1D are locked, so that the refrigerator door can be opened from the left side.

[0044] Specifically, the following special states will be encountered in the operation of this device:

[0045] Special state 1: When touch signals from both sides are received simultaneously, the hinges 1 on both sides of the refrigerator remain in their current states without change.

[0046] Special state 2: When two touch signals are continuously received within the set time, the first touch signal shall prevail.

[0047] In the normal use state, the hinges 1 on both sides of the refrigerator always maintain the state that one hinge 1 is loose and the other hinge 1 is locked; when the user opens the refrigerator door for the first time, the hinges 1 on both sides of the refrigerator maintain the current state until the user touches the touch sensor 3 on the other side next time, and then the state of the hinge 1 changes. In this way, during subsequent use, the refrigerator door can be opened from the side that was opened previously even if the sensor is not touched.

[0048] See Figure 7 As shown, the shaft body 12 is fixedly arranged on the shaft body fixing part 121. The shaft body fixing part 121 is provided with a shaft body installation groove 1211. The shaft body 12 is arranged in the shaft body installation groove 1211. The arrangement of the shaft body installation groove 1211 leaves a part of the space, which is convenient for the rotation of the fastening part 11; the fastening part connecting part 131 is arranged between the rotating motor 13 and the fastening part 11. A matching hole is provided on the fastening part connecting part 131. The rotating shaft 111 penetrates through the matching hole, and the fastening part 11 can rotate relative to the fastening part connecting part 131; wherein the fastening part connecting part 131 is fixedly connected to one of the box body or the box door; the shaft body fixing part 121 is fixedly connected to the other of the box body or the box door.

[0049] After considering the specification and practicing the invention claimed herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the specification. This specification is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this specification, which follow the general principles of this specification and include common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not claimed in this application. The specification and examples are only to be considered as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of this specification are pointed out by the following claims.

[0050] The above are only the preferred embodiments of this specification and are not intended to limit this specification. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this specification shall be included within the scope of protection of this specification.

Claims

1. A refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors, comprising a box body, a door, and a hinge (1). Characterized in that, One side of the door and one side of the box body, and the other side of the door and the other side of the box body are each connected by at least one set of the hinge (1). The hinge (1) includes a fastening member (11), a shaft body (12), and a rotating motor (13). One of the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) is connected to the box body, and the other of the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) is connected to the door. The fastening member (11) has a rotating shaft (111), and the rotating motor (13) drives the fastening member (11) to rotate about the rotating shaft (111) to finally form: a first state where the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) are fastened, and a second state where the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) are disengaged; in the first state, the fastening member (11) can rotate around the shaft body (12).

2. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The fastening member (11) has a fastening portion (112) and two open portions (113). The two open portions (113) are respectively connected to both sides of the fastening portion (112). The shaft body (12) is embedded in the fastening portion (112), and the two open portions (113) extend in a direction away from the fastening portion (112), thereby forming an open mouth (114).

3. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 2, Characterized in that, A fastening channel (115) is formed from the open mouth (114) to the fastening portion (112), and the width of any cross-section on the fastening channel (115) is not less than the size of the shaft body (12).

4. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 3, Characterized in that, The fastening channel (115) is on a base circle formed with the rotating shaft (111) as the center.

5. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 2, Characterized in that, The fastening portion (112) is arc-shaped, the fastening portion (112) fits with the outer edge of the shaft body (12), and the shape of the fastening portion (112) is an arc not greater than 1 / 2.

6. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 2, Characterized in that, The fastening member (11) further has an upper end portion (116), a connecting portion (117), and a tail end portion (118). The connecting portion (117) connects the upper end portion (116) and the tail end portion (118). The rotating shaft (111) is provided on the upper end portion (116). One side surface of the connecting portion (117) forms the fastening portion (112). A fastening channel (115) is formed between the upper end portion (116) and the tail end portion (118). The upper end portion (116), the connecting portion (117), and the tail end portion (118) are all in a streamlined structure with a curvature.

7. The refrigerator with bidirectional opening doors according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The number of the hinges (1) located on the same side of the box body is two, and the installation directions of the two hinges (1) located on the same side of the box body are opposite.

8. The double-sided opening refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, door handles (2) for opening the door are provided on both sides of the door. A touch sensor (3) is provided on each door handle (2). The touch sensor (3) receives a touch signal on the touched door handle (2) and drives the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) of the hinge (1) located on the same side of the refrigerator to disengage from each other, and drives the fastening member (11) and the shaft body (12) of the hinge (1) located on the opposite side of the refrigerator to engage with each other.

9. The double-sided opening refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, a distance sensor (4) for measuring whether the door is opened is provided between each side of the box body and the corresponding side of the door.

10. An opening method for a double-sided opening refrigerator, using the double-sided opening refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, the opening method includes: Step S1: When the user touches the door handle (2), the touch sensor (3) receives the touch signal on the touched door handle (2); Step S2: The distance sensor (4) measures whether the door is in an open state according to the distance between the door and the box body. If it is detected that any side is in an open state, no operation is performed; if it is detected that both sides are in a non-open state, step S3 is executed; Step S3: The hinge (1) on the same side as the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is loosened, and the hinge (1) on the other side of the touch sensor that releases the touch signal is locked.

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