Hinge device and refrigerator with same

Abstract

The invention discloses a hinge device and a refrigerator with the hinge device, the hinge device comprises a fixing plate, the fixing plate is provided with a fixing hole and at least one positioning column located on the first surface of the fixing plate, and the fixing hole at least faces an opening in the side where the first surface is located; the hinge plate is provided with a hinge shaft, a positioning groove and a through hole, the positioning groove is used for containing the positioning column, the positioning groove is an arc-shaped groove with the central axis of the hinge shaft as the circle center, and the positioning groove extends from the edge of the hinge plate to the middle area; and the locking piece is used for penetrating through the through hole to be fixed with the fixing hole. According to the hinge device, positioning of the hinge plate and the fixing plate is achieved through matching of the positioning groove and the positioning column, then the hinge plate and the fixing plate of the hinge device are locked through the locking piece, the degree of freedom of the hinge plate can be limited in all directions, and then detachable installation of the refrigerator door body on the refrigerator body is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator structural design, and more particularly to a hinge device and a refrigerator having the same. Background Technology

[0002] The refrigerator door is typically connected to the refrigerator body via a hinge mechanism. A traditional hinge mechanism consists of a reinforcing plate fixed to the refrigerator body and a hinge plate that connects to the door, usually secured with three or more screws. For example, for large-capacity refrigerators (500L and above), due to the weight of the door, the hinge mechanism is typically secured to the top of the refrigerator body with four screws.

[0003] However, this multi-screw fixing method not only increases the complexity and tediousness of the installation process, but also proves particularly inconvenient during disassembly and assembly. Especially in modern homes, high-end refrigerators such as those with hinged doors and French doors often exceed the width of ordinary house doors, requiring the doors to be disassembled and transported separately. In such cases, the multi-screw fixing method severely impacts the efficiency of disassembly and assembly.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide an improved hinge device and a refrigerator having the same. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related technologies. In order to achieve the above-mentioned invention objective, this application provides a hinge device, the specific design of which is as follows.

[0006] A hinge device, comprising:

[0007] A fixing plate, wherein the fixing plate has a fixing hole and at least one positioning post located on a first surface of the fixing plate, the fixing hole being open at least toward the side where the first surface is located;

[0008] A hinge plate, wherein the hinge plate is provided with a hinge shaft, a positioning groove for receiving the positioning post, and a through hole, wherein the positioning groove is an arc-shaped groove with the central axis of the hinge shaft as the center, and the positioning groove extends from the edge of the hinge plate toward the middle area.

[0009] A locking element is used to pass through the through hole and be fixed to the fixing hole.

[0010] Optionally, one of the positioning posts is configured such that when the hinge plate rotates about the central axis of the hinge shaft to a fixed state fixed to the fixing plate, the positioning post is located at the end of the positioning groove away from the groove opening.

[0011] Optionally, the fixed plate is provided with at least two positioning posts, and all the positioning posts are arranged along the rotation trajectory of the positioning groove when the hinge plate rotates relative to the fixed plate.

[0012] Optionally, the fixing plate further includes a limiting boss, which abuts against the hinge plate when the hinge plate rotates around the central axis of the hinge shaft to a fixed state where it is fixed to the fixing plate.

[0013] Optionally, the limiting boss is formed by bending upward from one side edge of the fixing plate.

[0014] Optionally, the limiting boss has a limiting groove that opens toward the side where the positioning post is located, and a guide surface located at the opening of the limiting groove to guide the hinge plate to be inserted into the limiting groove.

[0015] Optionally, the limiting boss further includes a limiting groove open toward the side where the positioning post is located, and a reinforcing rib located in the limiting groove, the reinforcing rib being located in the limiting groove at a position corresponding to the positioning groove.

[0016] Optionally, the hinge plate is further provided with a reinforcing part, which is located on the side of the positioning groove away from its opening; preferably, the reinforcing part is formed by bending from the edge of the fixing plate toward the side where the first surface is located.

[0017] Optionally, the fixing hole is a threaded hole, and the locking element is a manually rotated stepped screw.

[0018] A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and the aforementioned hinge device, wherein the fixing plate is fixed to the cabinet or the fixing plate is part of the cabinet, and the hinge plate is rotatably connected to the door.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Based on the hinge device provided in this application, in the application scenario of refrigerator door installation, the hinge plate and the fixed plate are positioned by the cooperation of the positioning groove and the positioning post, and then the hinge plate and the fixed plate are locked by the locking component. This can restrict the freedom of the hinge plate in all directions, thereby realizing the installation of the refrigerator door on the cabinet. This application realizes an innovation in the method of fixing the refrigerator door by improving the assembly relationship of components, which can effectively improve the efficiency of disassembly and assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 The figure shown is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the hinge device connecting the box and the door in this application;

[0022] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure shown after being cut along position AA';

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0024] Figure 4 The diagram shows the state of the hinge plate before it is installed into the housing.

[0025] Figure 5 The image shows the... Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure shown after the fixing plate is separated from the box body;

[0026] Figure 6 As shown Figure 1 Top view of the structure shown;

[0027] Figure 7 As shown Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the removal process of the middle hinge plate;

[0028] Figure 8 The diagram shown is a schematic of the fixing plate and locking components before assembly.

[0029] In the diagram, 100 is the fixing plate, 11 is the positioning post, 111 is the first positioning post, 112 is the second positioning post, 12 is the limiting boss, 120 is the limiting groove, 121 is the guide surface, 122 is the reinforcing rib, 13 is the fixing hole, 200 is the hinge plate, 20 is the hinge shaft, 20a is the first side edge, 20b is the second side edge, 21 is the positioning groove, 22 is the through hole, 23 is the reinforcing part, 300 is the locking part, 400 is the housing, 41 is the positioning post through hole, 42 is the limiting boss through hole, 43 is the screw through hole, and 500 is the door body. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] Combination Figures 1-5 As shown, this application relates to a hinge device and a refrigerator having the same. The hinge device is detachably connected to the refrigerator body 400 and the door 500.

[0032] The hinge device includes a fixed plate 100, a hinge plate 200, and a locking member 300. The fixed plate 100 is used to fix to the housing 400 or is part of the housing 400. The hinge plate 200 is used to rotatably connect to the door 500, and the hinge plate 200 is detachably assembled to the fixed plate 100. The fastener 300 connects the fixed plate 100 and the hinge plate 200 to realize the rotatable connection between the housing 400 and the door 500.

[0033] For ease of description, this article uses the application scenario of hinge devices on refrigerators as a reference to define the up and down directions. For example, refer to... Figures 1-5 The hinge plate 200 is located above the fixed plate 100. The hinge plate 200 has a fixed state where it is fixed to the fixed plate 100 and a disassembled state where it is detached from the fixed plate 100. The hinge plate 200 can rotate around the hinge axis 20 to switch between the fixed state and the disassembled state.

[0034] The fixing plate 100 is provided with at least one positioning post 11 located on the first surface of the fixing plate 100 and a fixing hole 13 located on the fixing plate 100. The first surface is the surface of the fixing plate 100 facing the hinge plate 200. In this embodiment, the first surface is the upper surface.

[0035] The positioning post 11 protrudes upward from the first surface to cooperate with the hinge plate 200 for positioning. The position and number of the positioning post 11 will be described in detail below in conjunction with the structure of the hinge plate 200.

[0036] The fixing hole 13 is used to fix it to the fastener 300. The fixing hole 13 is open at least towards the side where the first surface is located. It can be a through hole that penetrates the fixing plate 100 or a blind hole that does not penetrate the fixing plate 100. Both can achieve a fixed connection with the fastener 300.

[0037] Furthermore, the fixing plate 100 also includes a limiting boss 12 located on one side of the positioning post 11. When the hinge plate 200 rotates around the central axis of the hinge shaft 20 to a fixed state fixed to the fixing plate 100, the limiting boss (12) abuts against the hinge plate (200) to achieve positioning / limiting.

[0038] In one embodiment, the limiting boss 12 is formed by bending upward from one side edge of the fixing plate 100, which has a simple structure and process, strong operability, and low manufacturing cost.

[0039] Preferably, the limiting boss 12 is provided with a limiting groove 120 that opens toward the side where the positioning post 11 is located. When the hinge plate 200 is rotated to the fixed state, the edge of the hinge plate 200 is located in the limiting groove 120, thereby achieving limiting and pre-fixing.

[0040] The limiting groove 120 is recessed from the limiting boss 12 on the side facing the positioning post 11. The limiting boss 12 is also provided with a guide surface located at the opening of the limiting groove 120 to guide the hinge plate 200 to be inserted.

[0041] Further integration Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 As shown, the limiting boss 12 also includes a reinforcing rib 122 located in the limiting groove 120. The reinforcing rib 122 can reduce the probability of the limiting groove 120 failing due to damage to the limiting boss 12, thereby ensuring the reliability of the limiting groove 120 in limiting the first side edge 20a of the hinge plate 200.

[0042] The reinforcing rib 122 is located at the position corresponding to the limiting groove 120 and the positioning groove 21, which can prevent interference between the first side edge 20a of the hinge plate 200 and the reinforcing rib 122 when the hinge plate 200 is inserted into the limiting groove 120. When the hinge plate 200 is rotated to the fixed state with the fixing plate 100, the reinforcing rib 122 is located at the opening of the positioning groove 21.

[0043] The hinge plate 200 is provided with a hinge shaft 20, a positioning groove 21 for accommodating the positioning post 11, and a through hole 22.

[0044] The hinge shaft 20 is rotatably connected to the door body 500. After the hinge plate 200 is fixed to the fixing plate 100, the door body 500 can rotate relative to the cabinet to open or close storage compartments such as the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment. Figure 1 , Figure 4 (or Figure 5 As shown in the figure, in this application, the hinge shaft 20 is disposed at one end of the hinge plate 200, and the door body 500 is connected to the hinge shaft 20 and rotates relative to the central axis OO' of the hinge shaft 20.

[0045] The positioning groove 21 is used to cooperate with the positioning post 11 to position the hinge plate 200 and the fixed plate 100. Preferably, the positioning groove 21 is an arc-shaped groove with the central axis of the hinge shaft 20 as the center, and the positioning groove 21 extends from the edge of the hinge plate 200 towards the middle area. When the hinge plate 200 rotates relative to the fixed plate 100, the positioning post 11 enters the positioning groove 21, and the hinge plate 200 and the fixed plate 100 are accurately positioned; when the hinge plate 200 rotates in the opposite direction relative to the fixed plate 100, the positioning post 11 disengages from the positioning groove 21.

[0046] Based on this setting, combined with Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, when it is necessary to remove the door 500 from the box 400, there is no need to rotate the door 500 relative to the box 400. Simply rotate the hinge plate 200 to a certain angle after the locking piece 300 is unscrewed, and the hinge plate 200 can be separated from the fixing plate 100, thereby removing the door 400. The operation is simple and easy.

[0047] In some embodiments of this application, the positioning groove 21 extends inward from the side edge of the hinge plate 200 that mates with the limiting groove 120. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the hinge plate 200 includes a first side edge 20a and a second side edge 20b disposed opposite to each other. The first side edge 20a cooperates with the limiting groove 120, and the positioning groove 21 extends from the first side edge 20a toward the middle area so that the positioning post 11 can smoothly enter the positioning groove 21 when the hinge plate 200 rotates.

[0048] Furthermore, one of the positioning posts 11 is configured such that when the hinge plate 200 rotates around the central axis of the hinge shaft 20 to a state where it is fixed to the fixed plate 100, the positioning post 11 is located at the end of the positioning groove 21 away from the groove opening, making the positioning of the hinge plate 200 and the fixed plate 100 more accurate.

[0049] In addition, the fixed plate 100 is provided with at least two positioning posts 11. All the positioning posts 11 are arranged along the rotation trajectory of the positioning groove 21 when the hinge plate 200 rotates relative to the fixed plate 100. Multiple positioning posts 11 cooperate with the positioning groove 21, avoiding errors caused by the circumferential rotation of the positioning posts 11 relative to the positioning groove 21, resulting in a more stable rotation process and more accurate positioning. (Reference) Figure 4 , Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the fixing plate 100 is provided with two positioning posts 11, namely the first positioning post 111 and the second positioning post 112.

[0050] The hinge plate 200 is also provided with a reinforcing part 23 to improve the strength of the hinge plate 200. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the reinforcing part 23 is located on the side of the positioning groove 21 opposite to its opening; it does not affect the assembly process of the fixing plate 100 and the hinge plate 200. Preferably, the reinforcing part 23 is formed by bending from the edge of the fixing plate 100 toward the side where the first surface is located, that is, by bending the second side edge 20b. The structure is simple and the forming process is also simple.

[0051] The fastener 300 is any fastener that can pass through the through hole and be fixed in the fixing hole 13, such as various nail-like objects. In one embodiment, the fixing hole 13 is a threaded hole, and the locking member 300 is a manually rotating stepped screw, which allows for quick installation and removal of the hinge device without tools.

[0052] Based on the specific structure of the hinge device provided in this application, during assembly, the hinge plate 200 rotates on the upper surface of the fixing plate 100. The hinge plate 200 rotates from the side of the positioning post 11 away from the limiting boss 12, moving closer to the limiting boss 12. The positioning post 11 enters the positioning groove 21 and moves within it, guiding and limiting the rotation of the hinge plate 200 until one positioning post 11 reaches the end of the positioning groove 21 away from the opening. At this point, the first edge side 20a of the hinge plate 200 is inserted into the limiting groove 120. At this time, the through hole 22 on the hinge plate 200 corresponds to the fixing hole 13 on the fixing plate 100. The locking member 300 passes through the through hole 22 and is fixed to the fixing hole 13, thus locking the positional relationship between the hinge plate 200 and the fixing plate 100. It can be understood that the hinge device can be disassembled by performing the reverse operation, which will not be further described here.

[0053] The refrigerator of this application includes a cabinet 400, a door 500, and the hinge device provided in this application. Figure 1 In this example, only the parts of the box body 400, door body 500 and hinge device are shown. The fixing plate 100 of the hinge device is set on the box body 400, and the door body 500 is rotatably connected to the hinge plate 200. The detachable connection between the door body 500 and the box body 400 is achieved through the detachable connection between the fixing plate 100 and the hinge plate 200.

[0054] In some more specific embodiments, the hinge device involved in this application is used as the upper hinge of a refrigerator. The fixing plate 100 involved is typically a reinforcing iron, but can also be other components that can perform the same function as a reinforcing iron. During specific installation, it is combined with... Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the fixing plate 100 is fixed inside the housing of the box 400. The housing has a positioning pin through hole 41, a limiting boss through hole 42 and a screw through hole 43, so that the positioning pin 11, the limiting boss 12 and the screw 43 can pass through respectively.

[0055] When the fixing plate 100 is provided with a first positioning post 111 and a second positioning post 112, the positioning post through hole 41 includes a first positioning post through hole 411 and a second positioning post through hole 412 for the first positioning post 111 and the second positioning post 112 to pass through respectively.

[0056] Based on the structure of the hinge device provided in this application, in a specific application scenario where the refrigerator door 500 is installed on the cabinet 400, the fixing plate 100 is fixed to the cabinet 400, and the hinge plate 200 is fixed to the door 500. The rotating hinge plate 200, through the positioning groove 21 cooperating with the positioning post 11 and the first side edge 20a of the hinge plate 200 cooperating with the limiting groove 120, achieves the positioning and pre-fixation of the door 500 and the cabinet 400, which can restrict the freedom of the hinge plate 200 in all directions. Then, the fixing plate 100 and the hinge plate 200 are locked by the locking member 300, thereby realizing the installation of the refrigerator door 500 on the cabinet 400. Conversely, after removing the locking member 300, the hinge plate 200 can be rotated in the opposite direction to disengage from the fixing plate 100, and the door 500 can be removed from the cabinet 400.

[0057] In other embodiments, the fixing plate 100 can also be fixed to the outside of the housing of the box 400. In this case, it is not necessary to set the positioning post through hole 41 on the outer shell. The disassembly method of the box 400 and the door 500 is the same as that in the above embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0058] In other embodiments, the fixing plate 100 can also be part of the housing 400. In this case, the positioning post 11, the limiting boss 12, and the fixing hole 13 are all provided on the housing 400, eliminating the need for mutual fixing between the two. Preferably, the fixing plate 100 is part of the shell, in which case the positioning post 11, the limiting boss 12, and the fixing hole 13 are all provided on the shell. Similarly, the disassembly method of the housing 400 and the door 500 is the same as in the above embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0059] This application innovates the door fixing method in refrigerators by improving the assembly relationship of components, thereby increasing the efficiency of installation and disassembly and solving the problem of inaccurate positioning. Furthermore, only one screw is needed for fixing during installation, saving costs. Of course, this application is not limited to using only one screw; multiple screws can also be used. This not only helps improve the production efficiency and quality of refrigerators but also brings consumers a more convenient and comfortable user experience.

[0060] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0061] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent implementation methods or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the art of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A hinge device, characterized in that, include: A fixing plate (100) is provided with a fixing hole (13) and at least one positioning post (11) located on the first surface of the fixing plate (100). The fixing hole (13) is open at least toward the side where the first surface is located. A hinge plate (200) is provided with a hinge shaft (20), a positioning groove (21) for accommodating the positioning post (11), and a through hole (22). The positioning groove (21) is an arc-shaped groove with the central axis of the hinge shaft (20) as the center, and the positioning groove (21) extends from the edge of the hinge plate (200) towards the middle area. A locking element (300) is used to pass through the through hole (22) and be fixed to the fixing hole (13).

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the positioning posts (11) is configured such that when the hinge plate (200) rotates about the central axis of the hinge shaft (20) to a fixed state fixed to the fixed plate (100), the positioning post (11) is located at the end of the positioning groove (21) away from the opening.

3. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed plate (100) is provided with at least two positioning posts (11), and all the positioning posts (11) are arranged along the rotation trajectory of the positioning groove (21) when the hinge plate (200) rotates relative to the fixed plate (100).

4. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The fixing plate (100) further includes a limiting boss (12), which abuts against the limiting boss (12) when the hinge plate (200) rotates around the central axis of the hinge shaft (20) to a fixed state fixed to the fixing plate (100).

5. The hinge device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting boss (12) is formed by bending upward from one side edge of the fixing plate (100).

6. The hinge device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting boss (12) is provided with a limiting groove (120) that opens toward the side where the positioning post (11) is located, and a guide surface (121) located at the opening of the limiting groove (120) to guide the hinge plate (200) to be inserted into the limiting groove (120).

7. The hinge device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting boss (12) also includes a limiting groove (120) open to the side where the positioning post (11) is located, and a reinforcing rib (122) located in the limiting groove (120), the reinforcing rib (122) being located in the limiting groove (120) at a position corresponding to the positioning groove (21).

8. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge plate (200) is further provided with a reinforcing part (23), which is located on the side of the positioning groove (21) away from its opening; preferably, the reinforcing part (23) is formed by bending from the edge of the fixing plate (100) toward the side where the first surface is located.

9. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The fixing hole (13) is a threaded hole, and the locking member (300) is a manually rotating stepped screw.

10. A refrigerator, comprising: The refrigerator has a cabinet (400) and a door (500), characterized in that the refrigerator further has a hinge device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the fixing plate (100) is fixed to the cabinet (400) or the fixing plate (100) is part of the cabinet (400), and the hinge plate (200) is rotatably connected to the door (500).

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