Refrigerator door hinge structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to a refrigerator door hinge structure which comprises a first connecting component and a second connecting component, and the first connecting component is used for being connected with a refrigerator body; the second connecting assembly is rotationally connected with the first connecting assembly, and the side, away from the first connecting assembly, of the second connecting assembly is connected with a refrigerator door. The refrigerator door hinge structure further comprises an extrusion part, a damper and a limiting unit, one end of the extrusion part is connected with the second connecting assembly and can abut against the damper along with movement of the second connecting assembly towards the first connecting assembly, and the limiting unit is connected with the first connecting assembly and is configured to be clamped with the damper in response to external force. And the damper is prevented from rebounding. The refrigerator has the advantages that the limiting unit is connected with the damper in a clamped mode and stops the damper from rebounding, and when the damper cannot rebounding, the damping force provided by the damper is lost, so that relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body does not have damping any more, and the situation that the door is difficult to close due to the fact that the door closing force is increased in the mode is avoided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of refrigerator, especially a refrigerator door hinge structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] The door and the body of the refrigerator are generally connected by a hinge, in order to improve the quality of the refrigerator, the high-end refrigerator on the market is usually designed with a damping hinge, which is convenient for buffering when the door is closed, so that the door is slowly closed, preventing the door and the body from colliding and producing noise.

[0003] Whether the refrigerator door can be automatically closed depends on the damping force of a pair of door hinges, the magnetic force of the door seal, the size structure of the guide seat, the installation of the turnover beam and other factors, so in the actual use of the refrigerator door, it is easy to cause the problem of increasing the closing force of the refrigerator door due to the deviation of the position of the parts or aging, but the damping force of the existing door hinge has been determined in the production design, so the door hinge with damping will have the problem of being unable to automatically close when the closing force of the refrigerator door increases. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, the utility model provides a refrigerator door hinge structure.

[0005] A refrigerator door hinge structure, comprising: a first connecting assembly for connecting with a refrigerator body; a second connecting assembly rotatably connected with the first connecting assembly and connected with the refrigerator door on the side away from the first connecting assembly; a damper connected with the first connecting assembly; a pressing piece connected with the second connecting assembly and capable of abutting against the damper with the movement of the second connecting assembly towards the first connecting assembly; and a limiting unit connected with the first connecting assembly and configured to be clamped with the damper and stop the rebound of the damper in response to an external force.

[0006] In this way, the opening and closing between the refrigerator body and the refrigerator door is the relative rotation or moving away between the first connecting assembly and the second connecting assembly, and since the pressing piece is connected with the second connecting assembly, the pressing piece will gradually approach the damper and press the damper as the first connecting assembly and the second connecting assembly rotate relatively and approach each other, the damper exerts force on the pressing piece due to its own elastic force, and the elastic force is transmitted to the second connecting assembly and the refrigerator door through the pressing piece, achieving slow closing and avoiding noise caused by collision. Moreover, the limiting unit can be clamped with the damper and stop the rebound of the damper, when the damper cannot rebound, that is, it loses its damping force, so the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body no longer has damping, and the situation of being difficult to close the door due to the increase of the closing force does not occur in this mode.

[0007] In one of the embodiments, the damper is provided with protrusions on both sides in the width direction, and the limiting unit abuts against the protrusions.

[0008] In one of the embodiments, the limiting unit comprises a fixed plate and a clamping piece, the fixed plate is connected with the first connecting assembly, the fixed plate is provided with a movable slot, the clamping piece is arranged in the movable slot and can move along the movable slot in response to an external force and abut against the protrusions.

[0009] In one of the embodiments, the damper can be shortened or restored in a first direction in response to the extrusion of the extrusion piece, and the protrusions move synchronously in the first direction with the shortening or restoration of the damper; the clamping piece has a first position and a second position and moves between the first position and the second position, the first position is located on the movement path of the protrusions, and the second position is arranged apart from the movement path of the protrusions.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the damper is provided with two protrusions arranged apart, the two protrusions extend in opposite directions, the fixed plate is provided with two movable slots corresponding to the two protrusions, and the movable slots are respectively provided with the clamping pieces, and the two clamping pieces can respectively clamp the corresponding protrusions.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the clamping piece comprises an operating part, a movable part and an abutting part, the movable part is connected between the operating part and the abutting part, at least part of the movable part is arranged in the movable slot, the thickness of the movable part is smaller than the slot width of the movable slot along the moving direction of the clamping piece, at least part of the operating part protrudes to the side of the fixed plate away from the damper, and the abutting part is located on the side of the fixed plate close to the damper and can move with the movable part to abut against the protrusions.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, the length of the operating part and the abutting part is greater than the movable slot along the moving direction of the clamping piece, and the side of the operating part facing the movable slot abuts against the fixed plate, and the side of the abutting part facing the movable slot abuts against the fixed plate.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, the damper comprises a main body and a limiting rib, the limiting rib protrudes from the main body, and the protrusions are arranged on both sides of the limiting rib in the width direction.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the protrusions are provided with inclined surfaces away from the extrusion piece.

[0015] In one embodiment, the refrigerator door hinge structure further includes a guide sleeve connected to the first connecting component, the guide sleeve having a guide groove, and the damper being embedded in the guide groove.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, this utility model sets a limiting unit that engages with the damper and prevents the damper from rebounding. When the damper cannot rebound, it loses its function of providing damping force. Therefore, the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body no longer has damping. In this mode, the door will not be difficult to close due to increased closing force.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, this utility model sets a limiting unit that engages with the damper and prevents the damper from rebounding. When the damper cannot rebound, it loses its function of providing damping force. Therefore, the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body no longer has damping. In this mode, the door will not be difficult to close due to increased closing force. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the refrigerator door hinge structure provided by this utility model in the unfolded state;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the refrigerator door hinge structure provided by this utility model in the unfolded state from another angle.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A in the image;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the refrigerator door hinge structure provided by this utility model in the closed state;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the hidden fixing plate of the refrigerator door hinge structure in the closed state provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the refrigerator door hinge structure provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view from another angle of one embodiment of the refrigerator door hinge structure provided by this utility model.

[0025] The symbols in the diagram represent the following meanings:

[0026] 100, Refrigerator door hinge structure; 10, First connecting assembly; 20, Second connecting assembly; 30, Extrusion; 40, Damper; 41, Protrusion; 411, Inclined surface; 42, Main body; 43, Limiting rib; 50, Limiting unit; 51, Fixed plate; 511, Movable groove; 52, Clamping piece; 521, Operating part; 522, Movable part; 523, Abutting part; 60, Guide sleeve; 61, Guide groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more clear and easily understood, the specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present application can be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the present application, and that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it can be directly on or connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "connected directly" to another element, there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will be understood that, when an element is referred to as being "connected" to or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. As used herein the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used herein only to describe various elements, but do not imply or suggest relative importance or a number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0030] In the present application, unless otherwise specifically defined and limited, the first feature "on", "under" the second feature can be that the first feature directly contacts the second feature, or the first feature indirectly contacts the second feature through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "over" and "on" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is higher than the second feature in horizontal height. The first feature "below", "under" and "under" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is lower than the second feature in horizontal height.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the application's specification are intended to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the application pertains. In the application's specification, the terms are to be used only in describing specific embodiments, and not to limit the application. The term "and / or" used in the application's specification includes any and all combinations of one or more related items.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1-7 The refrigerator door hinge structure 100 is applied to a refrigerator, can be switched between two modes of damping and no damping, so that when the refrigerator door cannot be slowly closed due to the damping device 40 failing to realize the function of slowly closing the refrigerator door due to the large closing force of the refrigerator door, the damping device 40 can be clamped to make it unable to rebound, so that the damping force is no longer provided to the refrigerator door, and the refrigerator door can be smoothly closed.

[0033] The refrigerator door hinge structure 100 comprises a first connecting assembly 10 and a second connecting assembly 20, the first connecting assembly 10 is used for connecting with a refrigerator body; the second connecting assembly 20 is rotationally connected with the first connecting assembly 10, and the side, away from the first connecting assembly 10, is connected with a refrigerator door; wherein the refrigerator door hinge structure 100 further comprises a pressing piece 30, a damping device 40 and a limiting unit 50, one end of the pressing piece 30 is connected with the second connecting assembly 20, and can abut against the damping device 40 following the movement of the second connecting assembly 20 towards the first connecting assembly 10, the limiting unit 50 is connected with the first connecting assembly 10, and is configured to be clamped with the damping device 40 and stop the rebound of the damping device 40 in response to an external force.

[0034] In this way, the opening and closing between the refrigerator body and the refrigerator door is the relative rotation or moving away between the first connecting assembly 10 and the second connecting assembly 20, since the pressing piece 30 is connected with the second connecting assembly 20, as the first connecting assembly 10 and the second connecting assembly 20 relatively rotate and move close to each other, the pressing piece 30 will also gradually move close to the damping device 40 and press the damping device 40, the damping device 40, after being stressed, will react on the pressing piece 30 due to its own elastic force, and will transmit the elastic force to the second connecting assembly 20 and the refrigerator door through the pressing piece 30, to realize slow closing, thereby avoiding the noise caused by collision. Moreover, since the limiting unit 50 can be clamped with the damping device 40 and stop the rebound of the damping device 40, when the damping device 40 cannot rebound, that is, loses its damping force, the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body no longer has damping, and in this mode, the situation that the door is difficult to close due to the large closing force will not occur.

[0035] It needs to be explained that, in the above, whether the refrigerator door hinge structure relies on the damper 40 being stopped by the limiting unit 50 to form a damping mode and a non-damping mode, the limiting unit 50 in the damping mode does not contact the damper 40, the damper 40 works normally, and the limiting unit 50 in the non-damping mode stops the damper 40 from rebounding, and the damper 40 does not participate in the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body.

[0036] The two sides of the damper 40 in the width direction are provided with protrusions 41, and the limiting unit 50 abuts against the protrusions 41. In this way, the protrusions 41 facilitate the limiting unit 50 to stop the damper 40, which is conducive to the arrangement of the structure.

[0037] In other embodiments, the limiting unit 50 can also directly press against the end of the damper 40 to prevent it from rebounding.

[0038] The limiting unit 50 includes a fixed plate 51 and a clamping piece 52, the fixed plate 51 is connected with the first connecting assembly 10, the fixed plate 51 is provided with a movable groove 511, the clamping piece 52 is arranged in the movable groove 511 and can move along the movable groove 511 in response to an external force and abut against the protrusion 41. In this way, the movement of the clamping piece 52 in the movable groove 511 can facilitate the user to operate it, and the external force applied to it only needs to move the clamping piece 52 in the movable groove 511, and the groove wall of the movable groove 511 can guide the clamping piece 52, making the limiting / disabling of the damper 40 by the clamping piece 52 more smooth.

[0039] Of course, it can be understood that in other embodiments, the limiting unit 50 can also be provided as other structures that can achieve clamping limiting of the damper 40. For example, the clamping piece 52 is rotationally connected to the fixed plate 51, and the rotation direction of the clamping piece 52 is limited to a single direction, the clamping piece 52 rotates towards the damper 40 and clamps it, or rotates away from the damper 40 to release the clamping. Only the limiting / disabling function of the damper 40 needs to be met, and it is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0040] The damper 40 can be shortened or restored in the first direction in response to the extrusion of the extrusion piece 30, and the protrusion 41 moves synchronously in the first direction as the damper 40 is shortened or restored; the clamping piece 52 has a first position and a second position and moves between the first position and the second position, the first position is located on the movement path of the protrusion 41, and the second position is spaced apart from the movement path of the protrusion 41. In this way, when the clamping piece 52 moves to the first position, the clamping piece 52 will interfere with the protrusion 41 because the first position is on the movement path of the protrusion 41, thereby forming a stop effect on the protrusion 41, and the second position is not on the movement path of the protrusion 41, so the clamping piece 52 cannot limit the protrusion 41, and therefore the damper 40 can be freely extended and contracted. When the damper 40 can be freely extended and contracted, it is in a damping mode.

[0041] The damper 40 is provided with two protrusions 41 spaced apart, the two protrusions 41 extend in opposite directions, and the fixed plate 51 is provided with two movable grooves 511, the two movable grooves 511 are correspondingly arranged with the two protrusions 41, and the movable grooves 511 are respectively provided with clamping pieces 52, and the two clamping pieces 52 can be clamped with the corresponding protrusions 41. In this way, the two clamping pieces 52 can simultaneously form a limiting effect with the two protrusions 41, so that the clamping effect of the damper 40 is more stable, and stress offset can be avoided, and the damper 40 can be prevented from shaking and tilting.

[0042] The clamping piece 52 includes an operating portion 521, a movable portion 522, and an abutting portion 523, the movable portion 522 is connected between the operating portion 521 and the abutting portion 523, and at least part of the movable portion 522 is arranged in the movable groove 511, along the moving direction of the clamping piece 52, the thickness of the movable portion 522 is less than the groove width of the movable groove 511, at least part of the operating portion 521 protrudes to the side of the fixed plate 51 away from the damper 40, and the abutting portion 523 is located on the side of the fixed plate 51 close to the damper 40 and can move with the movable portion 522 to abut against the protrusion 41.

[0043] Further, the clamping piece 52 comprises an operation part 521, a movable part 522 and an abutting part 523, the movable part 522 is connected between the operation part 521 and the abutting part 523, and at least part of the movable part 522 is arranged in the movable slot 511, along the moving direction of the clamping piece 52, the thickness of the movable part 522 is less than the slot width of the movable slot 511, at least part of the operation part 521 extends to the side of the fixed plate 51 away from the damper 40, the abutting part 523 is located at the side of the fixed plate 51 close to the damper 40, and can move with the movable part 522 to abut against the protrusion 41. In this way, the operation part 521 extends out of the fixed plate 51 and is located outside the fixed plate 51, so that the user can easily apply an external force to it with his hand, and when the user moves the operation part 521 to move the operation part 521, the operation part 521 can drive the movable part 522 to move synchronously, the movable part 522 is located in the movable slot 511, the slot wall of the movable slot 511 has a guiding effect on the movable part 522 and allows the movable part 522 to move freely in the movable slot 511, and the movable part 522 drives the abutting part 523 to move between the first position and the second position at the same time, so as to clamp the damper 40.

[0044] Along the moving direction of the clamping piece 52, the lengths of the operation part 521 and the abutting part 523 are both greater than the movable slot 511, and the side of the operation part 521 facing the movable slot 511 abuts against the fixed plate 51, and the side of the abutting part 523 facing the movable slot 511 abuts against the fixed plate 51. In this way, the abutting effect of the operation part 521 and the fixed plate 51 and the abutting effect of the abutting part 523 and the fixed plate 51 can allow the clamping piece 52 to move stably along the preset direction, since the movable slot 511 is arranged on the surface of the fixed plate 51, the plane where the slot wall of the movable slot 511 is located is arranged at an angle with the plane where the surface of the fixed plate 51 is located, and in this embodiment, it is preferably arranged vertically, so that the abutting effect of the operation part 521 and the abutting part 523 and the fixed plate 51 and the limiting effect of the movable part 522 in the movable slot 511 provide limiting effect in at least two directions for the movement of the clamping piece 52, making it more stable.

[0045] The damper 40 comprises a main body 42 and a limiting rib 43, the limiting rib 43 protrudes from the main body 42, and the two sides of the limiting rib 43 in the width direction are provided with protrusions 41. In this way, the limiting rib 43 facilitates the arrangement of the protrusions 41, and the cooperation with the clamping piece 52 is also more convenient.

[0046] Further, the side of the protrusion 41 away from the extruding piece 30 is provided with an inclined surface 411. In this way, the inclined surface 411 can prevent the damper 40 from being interfered by the clamping piece 52 when changing from the elongated state to the shortened state, and when the clamping piece 52 is located at the first position and has a stopping effect on the protrusion 41, if the damper 40 changes from the elongated state to the shortened state, the clamping piece 52 will be smoothly in place due to the guidance of the inclined surface 411.

[0047] The refrigerator door hinge structure 100 further comprises a guide sleeve 60 connected with the first connecting assembly 10, and a guide groove 61 is formed in the guide sleeve 60, and the damper 40 is embedded in the guide groove 61. In this way, the guide groove 61 in the guide sleeve 60 can guide the compression direction of the damper 40, so that the damper 40 will only be compressed along the groove wall of the guide groove 61.

[0048] Compared with the prior art, the utility model discloses a limiting unit 50 and a damper 40 are connected, and the damper 40 is stopped from rebounding, when the damper 40 cannot rebound, that is, loses the damping force provided by it, therefore the relative rotation between the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body no longer has damping, in this mode, after the door closing force becomes large, the situation that it is difficult to close the door does not appear.

[0049] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and to make the description simple, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are not described, however, as long as the combinations of the technical features do not exist contradictory, they should be considered as the scope of the present application.

[0050] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the utility model, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as the limitation of the scope of the utility model patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled in the art, on the premise of not departing from the concept of the utility model, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator door hinge structure, characterized by, The utility model relates to a refrigerator door damping device, including: First connecting component (10) is used for and refrigerator body connects; Second connecting component (20) is rotatably connected with first connecting component (10), and the side away from first connecting component (10) is connected with refrigerator door; Damper (40) is connected with first connecting component (10); Extrusion piece (30) is connected with second connecting component (20), and can abut on damper (40) following the movement of second connecting component (20) towards first connecting component (10); Limiting unit (50) is connected with first connecting component (10), and is configured to be clamped with damper (40) and stop damper (40) rebound in response to external force.

2. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The both sides of the width direction of the damper (40) are provided with protrusions (41), and the limiting unit (50) abuts against the protrusions (41).

3. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting unit (50) includes a fixed plate (51) and a clamping piece (52), the fixed plate (51) is connected with the first connecting component (10), the fixed plate (51) is provided with a movable slot (511), the clamping piece (52) is arranged in the movable slot (511), and the clamping piece (52) can move along the movable slot (511) in response to the external force and abut against the protrusions (41).

4. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damper (40) can be shortened or restored in the first direction in response to the extrusion of the extrusion piece (30), and the protrusions (41) move in the first direction synchronously with the shortening or restoration of the damper (40). The clamping piece (52) has a first position and a second position and moves between the first position and the second position, the first position is located on the movement path of the protrusions (41), and the second position is spaced apart from the movement path of the protrusions (41).

5. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damper (40) is provided with two spaced protrusions (41), and the two protrusions (41) extend in opposite directions, the fixed plate (51) is provided with two movable slots (511), the two movable slots (511) are correspondingly arranged with the two protrusions (41), and the clamping piece (52) is arranged in each movable slot (511), and the two clamping pieces (52) can be clamped with the corresponding protrusions (41).

6. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping piece (52) comprises an operation part (521), a movable part (522) and an abutting part (523), the movable part (522) is connected between the operation part (521) and the abutting part (523), at least part of the movable part (522) is arranged in the movable slot (511), the thickness of the movable part (522) is smaller than the slot width of the movable slot (511) along the moving direction of the clamping piece (52), at least part of the operation part (521) protrudes to the side of the fixed plate (51) away from the damper (40), the abutting part (523) is located on the side of the fixed plate (51) close to the damper (40) and can move with the movable part (522) to abut against the protrusion (41).

7. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, Along the moving direction of the clamping piece (52), the length of the operation part (521) and the abutting part (523) is greater than the movable slot (511), and the side of the operation part (521) facing the movable slot (511) abuts against the fixed plate (51), and the side of the abutting part (523) facing the movable slot (511) abuts against the fixed plate (51).

8. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The damper (40) comprises a main body (42) and a limiting rib (43), the limiting rib (43) protrudes from the main body (42), and the protrusion (41) is arranged on both sides of the limiting rib (43) in the width direction.

9. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The protrusion (41) is provided with an inclined surface (411) on the side away from the extrusion piece (30).

10. The refrigerator door hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerator door hinge structure further comprises a guide sleeve (60), the guide sleeve (60) is connected with the first connecting assembly (10), a guide slot (61) is formed on the guide sleeve (60), and the damper (40) is embedded in the guide slot (61).

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