Hinge assembly and refrigeration equipment
By optimizing the fit between the hinge shaft and the hinge slot to a surface-to-surface friction, the problem of high manufacturing precision in dual-axis hinge components was solved, improving service life and stability, and reducing user complaints.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520536705.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing dual-axis hinge components require high manufacturing precision, which increases processing difficulty, leads to poor usability, and makes them prone to damage, thus affecting user experience.
The hinge shaft and hinge groove are designed with a tapered structure to transform into surface-to-surface friction, which, combined with the auxiliary mounting part, forms a smooth connection and optimizes the fit of the hinge components.
It improves the lifespan and smoothness of hinge components, reduces user complaints, and enhances the stability and durability of hinge components.
Smart Images
Figure CN223975024U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and more particularly to a hinge assembly and a refrigeration device equipped with the hinge assembly. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of built-in refrigerator technology, its market share is also soaring. Among them, dual-axis hinge built-in refrigerators are becoming increasingly popular because their configuration cost is not significantly higher than that of traditional single-axis hinge refrigerators. Due to the inherent structural characteristics of dual-axis hinges, the opening and closing of a single refrigerator door is achieved through the precise cooperation of two sets of fixed, equally spaced shafts on the top and bottom of the door and bushings with rotational trajectories. Therefore, the processing and manufacturing precision requirements for dual-axis hinges and bushings are higher, and the dimensional control requirements for refrigerator manufacturing are also much higher than those for single-axis hinge refrigerators. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a hinge assembly that improves the fit between the hinge axis and the working surface of the second hinge element, and solves the problem of high manufacturing precision requirements for dual-axis hinges and the second hinge element in the prior art.
[0004] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives, one embodiment of this application provides a hinge assembly, comprising:
[0005] A first hinge element includes a hinge plate and at least one hinge shaft. The hinge shaft includes a connecting portion and a mating portion that are connected to each other. The connecting portion is connected to the hinge plate. The mating portion extends in a direction away from the connecting portion, and the diameter of the mating portion gradually decreases in the direction away from the connecting portion. The tangent at any point where the mating portion and the connecting portion intersect is located on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion.
[0006] The second hinge element is provided with a hinge groove that mates with the hinge shaft.
[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the hinge groove includes a bottom wall and a side wall, and the included angle formed between the bottom wall and the side wall is 90.1 to 90.5 degrees.
[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the length of the mating part in the axial direction of the hinge shaft is 3 to 30 mm.
[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the hinge shaft further includes an auxiliary mounting portion connected to the mating portion at the end opposite to the connecting portion. The diameter of the auxiliary mounting portion gradually decreases along the direction away from the connecting portion to form a chamfer / rounded corner at the end of the hinge shaft.
[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the length of the hinge shaft is 5 to 35 mm.
[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the extension direction of the hinge groove is the same as the movement trajectory of the hinge shaft, the hinge shaft extends into the hinge groove, and the diameter of the connecting part + 0.1 mm ≤ the width of the hinge groove in the direction perpendicular to the movement trajectory ≤ the diameter of the connecting part + 0.2 mm.
[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the length of the hinge shaft located in the hinge groove is 3 to 34 mm.
[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the depth of the hinge groove is greater than the length of the hinge shaft extending into the hinge groove.
[0014] In one embodiment of this application, two hinge shafts are provided, and the second hinge element is provided with two hinge slots, wherein the extension direction of any hinge slot is the same as the movement trajectory of the hinge shaft extending into it.
[0015] One embodiment of this application also provides a refrigeration device, including a cabinet door and a hinge assembly connecting the cabinet and the door, wherein the hinge is the hinge assembly as described above, the hinge plate is connected to the cabinet, and the second hinge element is connected to the door.
[0016] One or more technical solutions provided in this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages:
[0017] In the hinge assembly provided in this application, the cross-section of the mating part in the hinge shaft away from the hinge plate gradually decreases and extends in a direction tangential to the connecting part. The original line-to-surface friction is optimized into a surface-to-surface friction between a smooth, tangential arc surface and the working surface of the second hinge element. This eliminates the inconvenience caused by accumulated tolerances of components, improves the high tolerance performance of the hinge in various application scenarios, and reduces user complaints. At the same time, it avoids scratches and damage to the working surface, thus improving the service life of the hinge assembly. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge assembly in an embodiment of this application.
[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the hinge assembly.
[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of cross section along line AA.
[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigeration equipment in the embodiments of this application.
[0023] 100, Hinge assembly; 200, Box body; 300, Door body; 1, First hinge element; 11, Hinge plate; 111, Body; 112, Protrusion; 12, Hinge shaft; 121, Connecting part; 122, Fitting part; 123, Auxiliary mounting part; 2, Second hinge element; 21, Hinge groove. Detailed Implementation
[0024] 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 of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0025] The terms used in this document, such as “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” indicating spatial relative positions, are used for illustrative purposes to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms “spatial relative positions” may be intended to include different orientations of the equipment in use or operation other than those shown in the figures.
[0026] For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, a unit described as being "below" or "under" other units or features will be "above" other units or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or otherwise) and the spatially related descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.
[0027] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0028] Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or structures, the objects described should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish these objects from one another. For example, a first hinge element may be referred to as a second hinge element, and similarly, a second hinge element may be referred to as a first hinge element, without departing from the scope of protection of this application.
[0029] This application provides a hinge assembly 100, such as... Figures 1-4 The device includes a first hinge element 1 and a second hinge element 2. The first hinge element 1 includes a hinge plate 11 and at least one hinge shaft 12. The hinge shaft 12 includes a connecting part 121 and a mating part 122 that are connected to each other. The connecting part 121 is connected to the hinge plate 11.
[0030] The mating portion 122 extends in a direction away from the connecting portion 121, and the diameter of the mating portion 122 gradually decreases in the direction away from the connecting portion 121.
[0031] The tangent at any point where the mating part 122 intersects with the connecting part 121 is located on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting part 121.
[0032] The second hinge element 2 is provided with a hinge groove 21 that mates with the hinge shaft 12.
[0033] In the existing hinge shaft 12, a chamfer is provided at the end of the hinge shaft 12 away from the hinge plate 11. This chamfer plays an auxiliary positioning role when the hinge shaft 12 extends into the hinge groove 21, so that the connection between the main body of the hinge shaft 12 and the chamfered part is set at an angle.
[0034] When the hinge shaft 12 and the hinge groove 21 are misaligned due to tolerance, an angle is formed at the connection between the main body and the chamfered part of the hinge shaft 12. The hinge shaft 12 and the inner wall of the hinge groove 21 are in line-to-surface contact. The sharp corner can easily damage the second hinge element 2, requiring frequent replacement, and also makes the smoothness of the hinge assembly 100 poor during use.
[0035] In this application, the mating part 122 is the end of the hinge shaft 12 away from the hinge plate 11. The tangent at any point where the mating part 122 and the connecting part 121 intersect is set to be located on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting part 121, so that the mating part 122 and the connecting part 121 are smoothly connected.
[0036] When the hinge shaft 12 extends into the hinge groove 21 and the second hinge element 2 rotates relative to the first hinge element 1, the end of the hinge shaft 12 and the inner wall of the hinge groove 21 of the second hinge element 2 rub against each other surface to surface, which avoids scratches and damage to the working surface of the hinge groove 21 and improves the service life of the hinge assembly 100.
[0037] Furthermore, it can eliminate the inconvenience caused by accumulated tolerances of components, making the hinge assembly 100 easier to use, improving the high tolerance performance of the hinge in various application scenarios, and reducing user complaints.
[0038] In some embodiments of this application, in the boundary lines of the longitudinal section of the hinge shaft 12, the boundary line of the connecting part 121 is a straight line, and the boundary line of the mating part 122 is an arc, and the straight line and the arc are tangent.
[0039] At this time, the boundary line formed by the longitudinal section of the mating part 122 is a partial arc segment of a circle. In the direction away from the connecting part 121, the diameter of the mating part 122 decreases in a regular manner, and the outer peripheral surface of the mating part 122 is smoother.
[0040] In some embodiments of this application, the hinge groove 21 includes a bottom wall and a side wall, and the included angle formed between the bottom wall and the side wall is 90.1 to 90.5 degrees.
[0041] The sidewall of the hinge groove 21 is set to form an angle of slightly greater than 90 degrees with the bottom wall, which makes the second hinge element 2 easier to demold and also facilitates the installation of the hinge shaft 12.
[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the end of the mating portion 122 away from the connecting portion 121 deviates from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 121, forming a certain radial gap. This radial gap is 0-2 mm. The connecting portion 121 is cylindrical, and its diameter remains constant; while the diameter of the mating portion 122 gradually decreases, and the end of the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 122 away from the connecting portion 121 gradually deviates from the extending direction of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 121.
[0043] like Figure 4 Specifically, the radial clearance is as follows: point A (red) is the end point on the outer peripheral surface of the mating part 122 that is away from the end of the connecting part 121; point B (green) is the connection point between the mating part 122 and the connecting part 121 on the longitudinal section of the hinge shaft 12; and the radial distance between points A and B is the radial clearance between point A and the extending direction of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting part 121.
[0044] Since the hinge shaft 12 is formed by the connection of the mating part 122 and the connecting part 121, the aforementioned radial gap should not be too large, otherwise it will affect the degree of shaking when the hinge shaft 12 and the hinge groove 21 of the second hinge element 2 are engaged, thus affecting the smoothness of use.
[0045] In some embodiments of this application, the length of the mating portion 122 in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 12 is 3 to 30 mm.
[0046] The purpose of setting the mating part 122 is to change the mating relationship between the hinge shaft 12 and the hinge groove 21 of the second hinge element 2 from the original line-to-surface friction to surface-to-surface friction. However, the mating part 122 is still part of the hinge shaft 12, and its length is controlled not to exceed the length of the hinge shaft 12 located in the hinge groove.
[0047] The arcuate profile of the mating part 122 between points A and B can be drawn by using the lengths of points A and B along the axial direction of the hinge shaft 12 and the aforementioned radial clearance.
[0048] In some embodiments of this application, the hinge shaft 12 further includes an auxiliary mounting portion 123, which is connected to the mating portion 122 at the end opposite to the connecting portion 121. The diameter of the auxiliary mounting portion 123 gradually decreases in the direction away from the connecting portion 121, so that a chamfer / rounded corner is formed at the end of the hinge shaft 12.
[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, for easy distinction, the two dashed lines in the figure respectively show the dividing line between the connecting part 121 and the mating part 122, and the dividing line between the mating part 122 and the auxiliary mounting part 123.
[0050] Like the mating part 122, the diameter of the auxiliary mounting part 123 gradually decreases in the direction away from the connecting part 121.
[0051] Furthermore, the diameter reduction rate of the auxiliary mounting part 123 is greater than the diameter reduction rate of the mating part 122, or in other words, the ratio of the diameter of the end of the auxiliary mounting part 123 away from the connecting part 121 to the diameter of the end near the connecting part 121 is less than the ratio of the diameter of the end of the mating part 122 away from the connecting part 121 to the diameter of the end near the connecting part 121.
[0052] After the auxiliary mounting part 123 is combined with the mating part 122 and the connecting part 121, its diameter gradually decreases, resulting in a common chamfer / rounded corner at the end of the hinge shaft 12 away from the hinge plate 11. The diameter of the auxiliary mounting part 123 is relatively smaller than that of the connecting part 121, making it easier to guide the installation when the hinge shaft 12 extends into the hinge groove 21.
[0053] In some embodiments of this application, the length of the hinge shaft 12 is 5 to 35 mm.
[0054] The total length of the connecting part 121, the mating part 122 and the auxiliary mounting part 123 is 5 to 35 mm. They extend into the hinge groove 21 and rotate in conjunction with the hinge groove 21.
[0055] In some embodiments of this application, the extension direction of the hinge groove 21 is the same as the movement trajectory of the hinge shaft 12, the hinge shaft 12 extends into the hinge groove 21, and the diameter of the connecting part 121 + 0.1 mm ≤ the width of the hinge groove 21 in the direction perpendicular to the movement trajectory ≤ the diameter of the connecting part 121 + 0.2 mm.
[0056] The hinge shaft 12 moves within the hinge groove 21 under its constraint. The diameter relationship between the hinge groove 21 and the connecting part 121 is controlled as follows: diameter of connecting part 121 + 0.1 mm ≤ diameter of hinge groove 21 in the direction perpendicular to the movement trajectory + 0.2 mm. That is, the connecting part 121 has a gap of 0.05 to 0.1 mm between one side and the side wall of the hinge groove 21 within the hinge groove 21, improving the smoothness of the movement of the hinge shaft 12 within the hinge groove 21. However, this gap is small enough to ensure the stability of the two structures (such as the cabinet 200 and door 300 of the refrigeration equipment) connected to the first hinge element 1 and the second hinge element 2 respectively, preventing them from wobbling arbitrarily.
[0057] In some embodiments of this application, the length of the hinge shaft 12 located in the hinge groove 21 is 3 to 34 mm.
[0058] The hinge shaft 12 does not need to be fully inserted into the hinge slot 21, so that the two structures connected to the first hinge element 1 and the second hinge element 2 respectively are adjustable in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 12.
[0059] However, the length of the hinge shaft 12 extending into the hinge groove 21 must be greater than half the overall length of the hinge shaft 12, so that the first hinge element 1 and the second hinge element 2 have a certain connection strength.
[0060] In some embodiments of this application, the depth of the hinge groove 21 is greater than the length of the hinge shaft 12 extending into the hinge groove 21.
[0061] Alternatively, the hinge pin 12 will not extend into the bottom of the hinge slot 21, and the end of the hinge pin 12 will not contact the hinge slot 21.
[0062] This avoids friction between the end of the hinge shaft 12 and the bottom of the hinge groove 21 when the hinge shaft 12 moves relative to the hinge groove 21, which would damage the first hinge element 1 and the second hinge element 2, and also increase the friction during the movement of the hinge shaft 12, making rotation more difficult.
[0063] In some embodiments of this application, two hinge shafts 12 are provided, and two hinge slots 21 are provided for the second hinge element 2. The extending direction of any hinge slot 21 is the same as the movement trajectory of the hinge shaft 12 extending into it.
[0064] The hinge assembly 100 is configured as a dual-axis hinge to improve its stability. Each hinge axis 12 is provided with a corresponding hinge slot 21, and the extension direction of the hinge slot 21 of the corresponding hinge axis 12 is the same as the movement trajectory of the hinge axis 12.
[0065] The hinge assembly 100 provided in this application is typically used in refrigeration equipment. Therefore, this application embodiment also provides a refrigeration equipment provided with the hinge assembly 100. The refrigeration equipment also includes a housing 200 and a door 300. The first hinge element 1 in the hinge assembly 100 is fixedly connected to the housing 200, and the second hinge element 2 is fixedly connected to the door 300.
[0066] like Figure 1 , 5 In the hinge plate 11, there are a body 111 and an extension 112 connected to each other. The body 111 is fixed to the housing 200, the extension 112 extends out of the housing 200, and the hinge shaft 12 is connected to the end of the extension 112 away from the body 111 and extends into the hinge groove 21 of the second hinge element 2.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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 assembly (100) characterized by, The application relates to a hinge assembly (100) comprising: a first hinge element (1) comprising a hinge plate (11) and at least one hinge shaft (12), the hinge shaft (12) comprising a connecting portion (121) and a fitting portion (122) connected to each other, the connecting portion (121) being connected to the hinge plate (11), the fitting portion (122) extending away from the connecting portion (121), and the diameter of the fitting portion (122) gradually decreasing in the direction away from the connecting portion (121); and a tangent line of any point at the intersection of the fitting portion (122) and the connecting portion (121) being located on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion (121); a second hinge element (2) provided with a hinge groove (21) matched with the hinge shaft (12).
2. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The hinge groove (21) comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, and the included angle between the bottom wall and the side wall is 90.1-90.5 degrees.
3. The hinge assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein, In the axial direction of the hinge shaft (12), the length of the fitting portion (122) is 3-30 mm.
4. The hinge assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein, The hinge shaft (12) further comprises an auxiliary mounting portion (123) connected to one end of the fitting portion (122) away from the connecting portion (121), and the diameter of the auxiliary mounting portion (123) gradually decreases in the direction away from the connecting portion (121) to form a chamfered / circular corner at the end of the hinge shaft (12).
5. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The length of the hinge shaft (12) is 5-35 mm.
6. The hinge assembly (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The extension direction of the hinge groove (21) is the same as the movement track of the hinge shaft (12), the hinge shaft (12) extends into the hinge groove (21), and the width of the hinge groove (21) in the direction perpendicular to the movement track is 0.1 mm larger than the diameter of the connecting portion (121) and 0.2 mm smaller than the diameter of the connecting portion (121).
7. The hinge assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein, The length of the hinge shaft (12) in the hinge groove (21) is 3-34 mm.
8. The hinge assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein, The depth of the hinge groove (21) is greater than the length of the hinge shaft (12) extending into the hinge groove (21).
9. The hinge assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein, The hinge shaft (12) is provided with two hinge shafts, and the second hinge element (2) is provided with two hinge grooves (21), and the extension direction of any hinge groove (21) is the same as the movement track of the hinge shaft (12) extending into the hinge groove (21).
10. A refrigeration appliance characterized in that, The application further relates to a cabinet (200) door body (300) and a hinge assembly (100) connecting the cabinet (200) and the door body (300), the hinge is the hinge assembly (100) in any one of claims 1-9, the hinge plate (11) is connected to the cabinet (200), and the second hinge element (2) is connected to the door body (300).