Hinge assembly and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hinge assembly and a refrigerator, and relates to the technical field of refrigerators, the hinge assembly is applied to the refrigerator, the hinge assembly comprises a first fixing seat, a second fixing seat, a connecting rod assembly and a protective cover, and one side, facing the first fixing seat, of the protective cover is provided with a positioning part and a first buckling part; when the first fixing base is connected with the refrigerator body of the refrigerator in a fastened mode through the first screw, the positioning part extends into the avoiding hole and abuts against the inner wall of the avoiding hole, and the first buckling part is buckled with a screw cap of the first screw. According to the technical scheme, the avoiding hole and the fastening hole which are formed in the first fixing base and used for installing the first screw are utilized, the positioning part and the first buckling part of the protective cover can be connected with the avoiding hole and the first screw in a clamped mode, and the protective cover and the first fixing base are connected in a clamped mode; according to the hinge assembly, a special clamping structure for the positioning part and the first buckling part does not need to be additionally arranged on the first fixing seat, so that the additional manufacturing cost is avoided, and the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to a hinge assembly and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerator doors are typically opened and closed using hinge assemblies. The hinge assembly's mounting bracket is usually fixed to the refrigerator body using two countersunk screws, and a protective cover is generally required after installation. Existing protective covers are designed to fit the mounting bracket, necessitating the design of an additional mounting structure on the bracket to accommodate the cover, thus increasing the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide a hinge assembly and a refrigerator, which aims to reduce the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator, the hinge assembly comprising:

[0005] A first fixing seat is used to install on the refrigerator body. The first fixing seat is provided with a first fastening hole and a clearance hole that are connected. The first fastening hole is used for the first screw to pass through.

[0006] The second mounting bracket is used for installation on the door of the refrigerator;

[0007] The linkage assembly is rotatably connected to the first fixed base and the second fixed base respectively, so that the second fixed base can rotate relative to the first fixed base;

[0008] A protective cover is provided on one side of the first fixing seat. The protective cover has a positioning part and a first fastening part on the side facing the first fixing seat. When the first fixing seat is fastened to the refrigerator body by the first screw, the positioning part extends into the clearance hole and abuts against the inner wall of the clearance hole, and the first fastening part is fastened to the screw cap of the first screw.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first fastening portion has a first inclined surface extending obliquely toward the first fastening hole, the first inclined surface being used to fasten with the screw cap of the first screw.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first fastening portion further has a second inclined surface disposed away from the first fastening hole, the second inclined surface extending obliquely in the direction from the positioning portion to the first fastening hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the distance between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface gradually increases in the direction from the end of the first fastening portion toward its root.

[0012] In one embodiment, the positioning portion is an arc segment with an opening facing the first fastening portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the curvature of the positioning portion is greater than the curvature of the clearance hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the positioning part and the first fastening part are spaced apart in the distribution direction of the first fastening hole and the avoidance hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first fixing seat is further provided with a second fastening hole for the second screw to pass through, and the protective cover is provided with a second fastening part on the side facing the first fixing seat. When the first fixing seat is fastened to the refrigerator body by the second screw, the second fastening part is fastened to the screw cap of the second screw.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first fixing seat has a first side edge at the end of the second fastening hole opposite to the first fastening hole, and the second fastening hole communicates with the first side edge.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective cover has a first flange formed at the end of the second fastening portion away from the first fastening portion and facing the side where the first fastening portion is located, and the first flange covers the first side edge.

[0018] In one embodiment, the two opposite sides of the first fixing seat are folded towards the side where the protective cover is located to form a second flange, and the edges of the protective cover corresponding to the second flange are provided with limiting protrusions, which abut against the second flange.

[0019] In one embodiment, the protective cover is integrally injection molded.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first fixing base is made of metal.

[0021] This utility model also proposes a refrigerator, including the aforementioned hinge assembly.

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model utilizes the clearance hole and fastening hole on the first fixed base for installing the first screw. The positioning part and the first fastening part of the protective cover can be engaged with the clearance hole and the first screw. While achieving the engagement connection between the protective cover and the first fixed base, there is no need to additionally open a dedicated engagement structure for the positioning part and the first fastening part on the first fixed base, avoiding additional manufacturing costs and thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly. At the same time, it also avoids the impact of additional engagement structures on the overall strength and rigidity of the first fixed base. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Front view of the central hinge assembly;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the protective cover;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Top view of the central protective cover;

[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the first fixed base.

[0031] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0032] 10. Hinge assembly; 100. First fixing seat; 200. Second fixing seat; 300. Linkage assembly; 400. Protective cover; 500. First screw; 600. Second screw; 110. First fastening hole; 120. Second fastening hole; 130. Clearance hole; 140. First side edge; 150. Second flange; 410. First fastening part; 411. First inclined surface; 412. Second inclined surface; 420. Second fastening part; 430. Positioning part; 440. First flange; 450. Limiting protrusion.

[0033] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0035] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0036] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0037] This utility model proposes a hinge assembly 10.

[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 4In one embodiment of this utility model, the hinge assembly 10 is applied to a refrigerator. The hinge assembly 10 includes a first fixing seat 100, a second fixing seat 200, a connecting rod assembly 300, and a protective cover 400. The first fixing seat 100 is used to install on the refrigerator body and has a first fastening hole 110 and a clearance hole 130 that are connected. The first fastening hole 110 is used for a first screw 500 to pass through. The second fixing seat 200 is used to install on the refrigerator door. The connecting rod assembly 300 is connected to the first fixing seat 100 and the second fixing seat 200. The second fixing seat 200 is rotatably connected so that the second fixing seat 200 can rotate relative to the first fixing seat 100; the protective cover 400 is provided on one side of the first fixing seat 100, and the protective cover 400 facing the first fixing seat 100 is provided with a positioning part 430 and a first fastening part 410. When the first fixing seat 100 is fastened to the refrigerator body by the first screw 500, the positioning part 430 extends into the clearance hole 130 and abuts against the inner wall of the clearance hole 130, and the first fastening part 410 is fastened to the screw cap of the first screw 500.

[0039] Specifically, the first fixing seat 100 is used to connect with the refrigerator body, and the second fixing seat 200 is used to install on the refrigerator door. The second fixing seat 200 is rotatably connected to the first fixing seat 100 through the connecting rod assembly 300, so that the refrigerator door can rotate relative to the refrigerator body, thereby realizing the opening and closing function of the refrigerator door and ensuring the normal opening and closing of the refrigerator door.

[0040] The first mounting base 100 is provided with a first fastening hole 110 and a clearance hole 130. The first fastening hole 110 is used to allow a first screw 500 to pass through, so as to fix the first mounting base 100 to the refrigerator body. The clearance hole 130 is connected to the first fastening hole 110, and the diameter of the clearance hole 130 is larger than the diameter of the fastener, so as to allow the first screw 500 to pass through. When installing the first mounting base 100, the first screw 500 first passes through the clearance hole 130 to pre-install the first screw 500, and then the first screw 500 moves to the first fastening hole 110 to achieve the fastening installation of the first mounting base 100.

[0041] The protective cover 400 is located on one side of the first fixing base 100 and is used to cover the side where the screw head of the first screw 500 is located, serving both aesthetic and protective purposes. When the first fixing base 100 is fastened to the refrigerator body by the first screw 500, the protective cover 400 can be installed on the first fixing base 100 via the positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410. The positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 can undergo elastic deformation to pass through the clearance hole 130. After the first fastening part 410 recovers its deformation, it engages with the screw head of the first screw 500 that passes through the first fastening hole 110. At the same time, the positioning part 430 extends into the clearance hole 130 of the first fixing base 100 and abuts against the inner wall of the clearance hole 130, serving a positioning function to prevent the first fastening part 410 from loosening from the screw head of the first screw 500, thereby ensuring the reliability of the connection between the protective cover 400 and the first fixing base 100.

[0042] After the first fixing base 100 is securely connected to the refrigerator body by the first screw 500, the positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 of the protective cover 400 can engage with the clearance hole 130 and the first screw 500, thus providing stable protection for the first fixing base 100. There is no need to additionally provide dedicated engaging structures (such as slots or fastening holes) for the positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 on the first fixing base 100, avoiding additional manufacturing costs; at the same time, it also avoids the impact of additional engaging structures on the overall strength and rigidity of the first fixing base 100 structure.

[0043] The technical solution of this utility model utilizes the clearance hole 130 and fastening hole on the first fixing base 100 for installing the first screw 500. The positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 of the protective cover 400 can be engaged with the clearance hole 130 and the first screw 500. While achieving the engagement connection between the protective cover 400 and the first fixing base 100, there is no need to additionally open a dedicated engagement structure for the positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 on the first fixing base 100, thus avoiding additional manufacturing costs and reducing the manufacturing cost of the hinge assembly 10. At the same time, it also avoids the impact of additional engagement structures on the overall strength and rigidity of the first fixing base 100.

[0044] In one implementation, please refer to Figures 4 to 6 The first fastening part 410 has a first inclined surface 411 extending obliquely toward the first fastening hole 110, the first inclined surface 411 being used to fasten with the screw cap of the first screw 500.

[0045] The first inclined surface 411 on the first fastening part 410 extends at a certain angle from the main body of the protective cover 400 toward the first fastening hole 110. The first inclined surface 411 can gradually approach and eventually fasten with the screw head of the first screw 500. When installing the protective cover 400, even if the position of the protective cover 400 is slightly off, the first inclined surface 411 can still play a guiding role, making it easier for the first fastening part 410 to align with the screw head of the first screw 500, thereby smoothly completing the fastening process and improving the installation efficiency of the protective cover 400. When the protective cover 400 is correctly installed, the first inclined surface 411 will abut against the screw head of the first screw 500, realizing the fastening with the screw head of the first screw 500. The protective cover 400 is firmly fixed on the first fixing seat 100, reducing the risk of loosening or falling off due to external force and enhancing the stability of the overall structure.

[0046] In other embodiments, the first fastening part 410 includes a protrusion and a locking protrusion. The protrusion extends axially along the first fastening hole 110, and the locking protrusion is provided on the side of the protrusion facing the first fastening hole 110. The locking protrusion is fastened to the screw cap of the first screw 500.

[0047] In one implementation, please refer to Figures 4 to 6 The first fastening part 410 also has a second inclined surface 412 disposed opposite to the first fastening hole 110, the second inclined surface 412 extending inclinedly in the direction from the positioning part 430 to the first fastening hole 110.

[0048] The second inclined surface 412 is located on the opposite side of the first fastening portion 410 from the first inclined surface 411, that is, on the side away from the first fastening hole 110. The second inclined surface 412 extends inclinedly from the positioning portion 430 to the first fastening hole 110. The second inclined surface 412 has the same inclination trend as the first inclined surface 411, but the inclination angle can be the same or different. The setting of the second inclined surface 412 makes the elastic deformation capability of the first fastening portion 410 better. When the protective cover 400 is installed or removed, the first fastening portion 410 is more likely to undergo elastic deformation, so that the first fastening portion 410 can pass through the clearance hole 130 more easily, thereby reducing the difficulty of installing or removing the protective cover 400.

[0049] In other embodiments, the second inclined surface 412 extends inclinedly in the direction from the first fastening hole 110 to the positioning part 430; the second inclined surface 412 may also be a straight surface extending axially along the clearance hole 130.

[0050] In one implementation, please refer to Figures 4 to 6 The distance between the first inclined surface 411 and the second inclined surface 412 gradually increases in the direction from the end of the first fastening part 410 toward its root.

[0051] From the end of the first fastening portion 410 (i.e., the end near the screw head of the first screw 500) to its root (the end away from the screw head of the first screw 500), the distance between the first inclined surface 411 and the second inclined surface 412 gradually increases. That is, the size of the end of the first fastening portion 410 is smaller, and the size of the root of the first fastening portion 410 is larger. During the installation of the protective cover 400, the end of the first fastening portion 410 is more likely to undergo elastic deformation, so as to smoothly pass through the clearance hole 130; the root of the first fastening portion 410 has a larger contact area with the protective cover 400, and the connection between the two is more secure, making the first fastening portion 410 less prone to breakage.

[0052] In other embodiments, the distance between the first inclined surface 411 and the second inclined surface 412 remains unchanged in the direction from the end of the first fastening portion 410 toward its root, that is, the first inclined surface 411 and the second inclined surface 412 are inclined at the same angle.

[0053] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 The positioning part 430 is an arc segment with an opening facing the first fastening part 410.

[0054] The positioning part 430 is arc-shaped, with its opening facing the first fastening part 410. The positioning part 430 can fit more tightly against the inner wall of the clearance hole 130. When the protective cover 400 is installed, the positioning part 430 can slide along the inner wall of the clearance hole 130, providing good guidance. The arc-shaped design of the positioning part 430 allows it to undergo slight elastic deformation during installation, making it easier to enter the clearance hole 130. After entering position, it returns to its original shape, and its elastic restoring force tightly fits the inner wall, forming a stable locking structure to prevent the protective cover 400 from loosening or falling off during use. Furthermore, the arc-shaped design of the positioning part 430 also improves its structural strength and fatigue resistance, thereby extending its service life.

[0055] In other embodiments, the positioning part 430 may also be in the form of a sheet or a column.

[0056] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 2 The curvature of the positioning part 430 is greater than the curvature of the clearance hole 130.

[0057] The curvature of the positioning part 430 is greater than that of the clearance hole 130, and the arc of the positioning part 430 is more curved than that of the clearance hole 130, allowing the positioning part 430 to pass through the clearance hole 130 more easily. The two ends of the arc segment are spaced from the inner wall of the clearance hole 130, and the arched portion in the middle of the arc segment abuts against the inner wall of the clearance hole 130. This prevents the positioning part 430 from deforming again within the clearance hole 130, improving its positioning effect and thus enhancing the locking effect of the first fastening part 410.

[0058] In other embodiments, the curvature of the positioning portion 430 is less than the curvature of the clearance hole 130, the two ends of the arc segment abut against the inner wall of the clearance hole 130, and the arched portion in the middle of the arc segment has a gap with the inner wall of the clearance hole 130. Alternatively, the circle containing the arc segment and the circle formed by the edge of the clearance hole 130 are concentric circles.

[0059] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 5 The positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 are spaced apart in the distribution direction of the first fastening hole 110 and the avoidance hole 130.

[0060] There is a certain distance between the positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410, so they can work relatively independently without interfering with each other. The positioning part 430 and the first fastening part 410 are more likely to undergo elastic deformation, and the protective cover 400 is easier to install.

[0061] In other embodiments, at least one end of the positioning part 430 is connected to the first fastening part 410.

[0062] In one implementation, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 The first fixing seat 100 is also provided with a second fastening hole 120 for the second screw 600 to pass through. The protective cover 400 is provided with a second fastening part 420 on the side facing the first fixing seat 100. When the first fixing seat 100 is fastened to the refrigerator body by the second screw 600, the second fastening part 420 is fastened to the screw cap of the second screw 600.

[0063] The second fastening hole 120 is located on the first fixing seat 100 and is used for the second screw 600 to pass through, more firmly fixing the first fixing seat 100 to the refrigerator body. This provides a second fastening point for the first fixing seat 100, increasing the stability and reliability of the connection between the first fixing seat 100 and the refrigerator body. The second fastening hole 120 is usually located in a different position from the first fastening hole 110 to ensure even force distribution and avoid stress concentration. The second fastening part 420 is located on the side of the protective cover 400 facing the first fixing seat 100, spaced apart from the first fastening part 410. When the first fixing seat 100 is fastened to the refrigerator body by the second screw 600, the second fastening part 420 engages with the screw cap of the second screw 600, providing additional fixation and protection. The second fastening part 420 may have a similar inclined surface design to the first fastening part 410 to ensure guiding and locking effects during installation; the second fastening part 420 may also be designed with a different snap-fit ​​structure than the first fastening part 410.

[0064] With the double fixation of the first screw 500 and the second screw 600, the connection between the first fixing seat 100 and the refrigerator body is more secure, greatly reducing the risk of the first fixing seat 100 loosening or falling off. The first fastening part 410 engages with the screw cap of the first screw 500 to form a preliminary fixation; the second fastening part 420 engages with the screw cap of the second screw 600 to provide additional fixation, making the connection between the first fixing seat 100 and the protective cover 400 more secure, greatly reducing the risk of the protective cover 400 loosening or falling off.

[0065] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 7 The first fixing seat 100 has a first side edge 140 at the end of the second fastening hole 120 opposite to the first fastening hole 110, and the second fastening hole 120 communicates with the first side edge 140.

[0066] The connection between the second fastening hole 120 and the first side edge 140 allows the second screw 600 to enter the second fastening hole 120 from the first side edge 140 during installation. This makes it easier to align the second screw 600 with the second fastening hole 120 during installation, and allows the second screw 600 to be installed from multiple angles without being strictly limited to the axial direction of the second fastening hole 120. This provides greater flexibility for the installation of the second screw 600 and reduces the difficulty of installing the second screw 600.

[0067] In other embodiments, the first fixing base 100 is also provided with another clearance hole that communicates with the second fastening hole 120.

[0068] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 5The protective cover 400 is folded over at the end of the second fastening part 420 away from the first fastening part 410 toward the side where the first fastening part 410 is located to form a first flange 440, and the first flange 440 covers the first side edge 140.

[0069] The first flange 440 is located at the end of the second fastening portion 420 of the protective cover 400 away from the first fastening portion 410, and folds towards the side where the first fastening portion 410 is located. The first flange 440 is used to cover the first side edge 140, so that the first side edge 140 and the second fastening hole 120 are no longer exposed, providing better protection and aesthetics. The folding design of the first flange 440 increases the thickness and rigidity of the protective cover 400, making it more stable and reducing the risk of loosening due to external impact or vibration. During installation, the slight contact between the first flange 440 and the first side edge 140 can help confirm that the protective cover 400 has been correctly installed.

[0070] In one implementation, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 The first fixing seat 100 has two opposite sides folded towards the side where the protective cover 400 is located to form a second flange 150. The protective cover 400 and the edge of the corresponding two sides of the second flange 150 are provided with limiting protrusions 450, and the limiting protrusions 450 abut against the second flange 150.

[0071] The second flange 150 is located on the opposite sides of the first fixing base 100 and folds towards the side where the protective cover 400 is located. The second flange 150 is used to abut against the limiting protrusion 450. The second flange 150 not only enhances the rigidity of the first fixing base 100 but also prevents external debris from entering the gap between the first fixing base 100 and the protective cover 400. The limiting protrusion 450 is located on the edges of the protective cover 400 and the corresponding sides of the second flange 150, and abuts against the second flange 150 to ensure that the protective cover 400 can be accurately aligned during installation, ensuring a more secure connection between the protective cover 400 and the first fixing base 100, and reducing the risk of the protective cover 400 loosening or falling off.

[0072] In one embodiment, the protective cover 400 is integrally injection molded.

[0073] In one embodiment, the protective cover 400 is made of materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and ABS resin. These materials have good mechanical properties, chemical corrosion resistance, and impact resistance, and also possess a certain degree of elasticity, allowing the first fastening part 410, the second fastening part 420, and the positioning part 430 to undergo elastic deformation during installation. The protective cover 400 is injection molded as a single piece, without seams or splicing points, thus avoiding structural failures caused by weak seams. It can easily achieve complex geometric shapes and fine structural details, such as the first flange 440, the limiting protrusion 450, the first fastening part 410, and the second fastening part 420, without additional processing steps. Multiple functional components, such as the positioning part 430, the first fastening part 410, the second fastening part 420, and the first flange 440, can be integrated in a single molding process, reducing subsequent assembly steps and improving production efficiency.

[0074] In one embodiment, the first fixing base 100 is made of metal.

[0075] The first fixing base 100 can be made of metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or galvanized steel. Metal materials have high rigidity and strength, capable of withstanding significant forces and stresses, ensuring that the first fixing base 100 will not deform or be damaged during long-term use. The high rigidity of metal materials allows the first fixing base 100 to remain stable when subjected to external impacts or vibrations, reducing the risk of loosening or detachment and improving overall reliability. The metal first fixing base 100 can be manufactured through processes such as stamping, casting, and machine tool processing, ensuring dimensional accuracy and consistency to meet the requirements of high-precision installation.

[0076] In other embodiments, the first mounting base 100 may also be made of high-strength engineering plastic.

[0077] This utility model also proposes a refrigerator, which includes a hinge assembly. The specific structure of the hinge assembly is as described in the above embodiments. Since this refrigerator adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0078] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator, characterized in that, The hinge assembly includes: A first fixing seat is used to install on the refrigerator body. The first fixing seat is provided with a first fastening hole and a clearance hole that are connected. The first fastening hole is used for the first screw to pass through. The second mounting bracket is used for installation on the door of the refrigerator; The linkage assembly is rotatably connected to the first fixed base and the second fixed base respectively, so that the second fixed base can rotate relative to the first fixed base; A protective cover is provided on one side of the first fixing seat. The protective cover has a positioning part and a first fastening part on the side facing the first fixing seat. When the first fixing seat is fastened to the refrigerator body by the first screw, the positioning part extends into the clearance hole and abuts against the inner wall of the clearance hole, and the first fastening part is fastened to the screw cap of the first screw.

2. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first fastening portion has a first inclined surface extending obliquely toward the first fastening hole, the first inclined surface being used to fasten with the screw cap of the first screw.

3. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The first fastening part also has a second inclined surface disposed away from the first fastening hole, the second inclined surface extending obliquely in the direction from the positioning part to the first fastening hole.

4. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The distance between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface gradually increases in the direction from the end of the first fastening part toward its root.

5. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part is an arc segment with an opening facing the first fastening part.

6. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The curvature of the positioning part is greater than the curvature of the clearance hole.

7. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part and the first fastening part are spaced apart in the distribution direction of the first fastening hole and the avoidance hole.

8. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first fixing base is also provided with a second fastening hole for the second screw to pass through. The protective cover is provided with a second fastening part on the side facing the first fixing base. When the first fixing base is fastened to the refrigerator body by the second screw, the second fastening part is fastened to the screw cap of the second screw.

9. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The first fixing seat has a first side edge at the end of the second fastening hole opposite to the first fastening hole, and the second fastening hole communicates with the first side edge.

10. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The protective cover has a first flange formed at the end of the second fastening part away from the first fastening part, which is folded towards the side where the first fastening part is located. The first flange covers the first side edge.

11. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The two opposite sides of the first fixing seat are folded towards the side where the protective cover is located to form a second flange. The edges of the protective cover corresponding to the second flange are provided with limiting protrusions, and the limiting protrusions abut against the second flange.

12. The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The protective cover is injection molded as a single piece; And / or, the first fixing base is made of metal.

13. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Includes the hinge assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images