Hinge and refrigerator comprising same

Abstract

The utility model provides a hinge and a refrigerator comprising the same. The hinge comprises a first hinge base, a second hinge base, a transmission assembly and an electromagnetic damper, the first hinge base is used for being installed on the box body, the second hinge base is used for being installed on the door body, the transmission assembly is connected between the first hinge base and the second hinge base in a hinged mode, and the transmission assembly comprises a first transmission rod, a second transmission rod, a third transmission rod and a fourth transmission rod; an electromagnetic damper is arranged on at least one of hinge points of the hinge; and the power supply is electrically connected with the electromagnetic damper, and the magnitude of current introduced into the electromagnetic damper can be adjusted. According to the hinge, the damping performance can be kept in a better state, and the current introduced into the electromagnetic damper can be adjusted, so that the damping performance of the electromagnetic damper can be adjusted, the use flexibility is better, and the hinge can better adapt to the intelligent requirement.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Refrigerator hinges are currently the most commonly used connecting components for opening and closing refrigerator doors. Hinges connect the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body, allowing the door to rotate relative to the body to open or close the storage compartment. To ensure good closure between the refrigerator door and the body after opening or closing, existing refrigerator hinges typically employ a six-bar linkage mechanism with internal purely mechanical damping. This damping primarily functions to smooth the opening speed and reduce impact.

[0003] The hinge includes a first hinge seat, a second hinge seat, and a transmission assembly. The first hinge seat is mounted on the housing, the second hinge seat is mounted on the door, and the transmission assembly is hinged between the first and second hinge seats. The front end of the transmission assembly is hinged to the first hinge seat, and the rear end of the transmission assembly is hinged to the second hinge seat. The transmission assembly also includes a first transmission rod, a second transmission rod, a third transmission rod, and a fourth transmission rod. The front end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat via a first hinge point, the front end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat via a second hinge point, the rear end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the front end of the third transmission rod via a third hinge point, the rear end of the third transmission rod is hinged to the second hinge seat via a fourth hinge point, the front end of the fourth transmission rod is hinged to the middle of the second transmission rod via a fifth hinge point, the rear end of the fourth transmission rod is hinged to the second hinge seat via a sixth hinge point, and the rear end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the middle of the third transmission rod via a seventh hinge point.

[0004] For purely mechanical damping structures, fatigue is a common problem with repeated use, leading to performance degradation. After a certain period, the damping function weakens, making it difficult to maintain optimal performance and resulting in a poor user experience. Furthermore, purely mechanical damping structures provide a constant resistance during use, lacking flexibility and failing to meet the demands of intelligent systems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in that the damping performance of the refrigerator hinge is difficult to maintain in a good state and the flexibility of use is not good, and to provide a hinge and a refrigerator including the hinge.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0007] A hinge for connecting the body and door of a refrigerator includes a first hinge base, a second hinge base, and a transmission assembly. The first hinge base is mounted on the body, the second hinge base is mounted on the door, and the transmission assembly is hingedly connected between the first hinge base and the second hinge base. The transmission assembly includes a first transmission rod, a second transmission rod, a third transmission rod, and a fourth transmission rod. The hinge further includes:

[0008] An electromagnetic damper is provided on at least one of the hinge points of the hinge.

[0009] A power supply is electrically connected to the electromagnetic damper, wherein the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is adjustable.

[0010] In this solution, the structure providing damping force is an electromagnetic damper. Even with increased usage, the electromagnetic damper is less prone to significant fatigue, thus maintaining optimal damping performance and providing a better user experience. Furthermore, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper can be adjusted, allowing for regulation of its damping performance and offering excellent flexibility to adapt to the demands of smart home technology. This intelligent design aligns with the trend of IoT-enabled home appliances, enhancing product competitiveness.

[0011] Preferably, the front end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through a first hinge point, and the front end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through a second hinge point.

[0012] The electromagnetic damper is provided at the first hinge point and / or the second hinge point.

[0013] In this solution, since the first hinge seat is fixed on the housing, and the housing remains stationary during the opening and closing of the door, the first hinge point and the second hinge point are fixed hinge points. Setting the electromagnetic damper on the first hinge point and the second hinge point reduces the requirements for the wiring to ensure the electromagnetic damper, eliminates the need for a large range of motion, reduces costs, and avoids the possibility of the wiring being too long and interfering with the normal operation of other structures, thus making it less likely to affect the normal operation of the hinge.

[0014] Preferably, the hinge further includes an angle sensor, and at least one of the hinge points of the hinge is provided with the angle sensor for detecting the angle between the two transmission rods at the corresponding hinge point or between one of the transmission rods and the corresponding hinge seat.

[0015] In this solution, during the opening and closing of the door, the angles between the corresponding structural components change accordingly as the hinge operates. The size of the angle reflects the working state of the hinge, and the angle is easy and reliable to obtain, which helps to ensure that the damping performance matches the working process of the hinge, thereby optimizing the user experience.

[0016] Preferably, the front end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through a first hinge point, and the front end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through a second hinge point.

[0017] The electromagnetic damper is provided on one of the first hinge point and the second hinge point, and the angle sensor is provided on the other.

[0018] In this scheme, the electromagnetic damper and the angle sensor are set at different hinge points, so that both the electromagnetic damper and the angle sensor have sufficient space for installation, which is a reasonable arrangement.

[0019] Preferably, the hinge further includes a wireless communication module, which is used to wirelessly connect to an external terminal device and is electrically connected to the angle sensor and the power supply.

[0020] In this solution, the wireless communication module facilitates intelligent control, allows for the acquisition of angle signals as needed, and enables control over the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper. This facilitates flexible adjustment of the damping force and further optimizes the user experience.

[0021] Preferably, the wireless communication module is disposed within the first hinge seat.

[0022] In this solution, on the one hand, it can provide better protection for the wireless communication module, which is conducive to ensuring the reliable operation of the wireless communication module and the overall reliability of the door control system; on the other hand, using the space inside the first hinge seat to install the wireless communication module is conducive to improving space utilization.

[0023] Preferably, the first hinge seat includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion connected end to end, the first hinge point is located at one end of the vertical portion closer to the horizontal portion, and the second hinge point is located at one end of the vertical portion farther from the horizontal portion;

[0024] The electromagnetic damper and the angle sensor are both one in number, with the electromagnetic damper located at the first hinge point and the angle sensor located at the second hinge point.

[0025] In this solution, the number of electromagnetic dampers and angle sensors is set to one each. This not only enables the resistive damper to adjust the damping as needed, but also simplifies the structure, reduces the overall cost, and reduces the complexity of the overall hinge structure.

[0026] Preferably, the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is configured to be adjustable during the opening and closing of the door.

[0027] In this solution, by adopting the above-mentioned structural configuration, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper and the damping it provides can be adjusted during the opening and closing of the door, thereby enabling dynamic adjustment of the damping force or resistance, which is beneficial to further optimize the flexibility of use and the user experience.

[0028] This utility model also provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet and a door, and the refrigerator also includes the aforementioned hinge.

[0029] Preferably, the door opening process has a first stage of initial opening and a second stage of full opening of adjacent doors, wherein in the first stage, the door opening angle is not greater than a first preset angle, and in the second stage, the door opening angle is not less than a second preset angle.

[0030] In the first stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is a first current, and in the second stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is a second current, wherein the first current is greater than the second current.

[0031] In this design, a large amount of damping is provided at the initial opening stage to prevent or help prevent the door from rapidly springing open due to gravity, thus optimizing the user experience and preventing accidental injury. As the door approaches full opening, a smaller amount of damping is provided to ensure a smooth closing. During the closing process, the resistance automatically adjusts according to the door's opening angle to prevent impact with the cabinet, thus avoiding damage and reducing noise.

[0032] The positive and progressive effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0033] In this application, the structure providing damping force is set as an electromagnetic damper. Even with increased usage, the electromagnetic damper is less prone to significant fatigue, thus maintaining optimal damping performance and providing a better user experience. Furthermore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper can be adjusted, thereby regulating its damping performance and offering greater flexibility to adapt to intelligent applications. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the door control system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge structure in a preferred embodiment of the door control system of this utility model.

[0036] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the hinge in the door control system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the door control method of this utility model.

[0038] 10 First hinge seat

[0039] 101 Horizontal Section

[0040] 102 Vertical section

[0041] 20 Second hinge seat

[0042] 30 First transmission rod

[0043] 40 Second transmission rod

[0044] 50 Third transmission rod

[0045] 60 Fourth transmission rod

[0046] 70 First hinge point

[0047] 80 Second hinge point

[0048] 90 Third hinge point

[0049] 100 Fourth hinge point

[0050] 110 Fifth hinge point

[0051] 120 Sixth Hinge Point

[0052] 130 Seventh Hinge Point

[0053] 140 Electromagnetic Dampers

[0054] 150° angle sensor Detailed Implementation

[0055] The present invention will be further described below by way of embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, this embodiment provides a hinge and a refrigerator including the hinge. The hinge is used to connect the refrigerator body and the door body, and includes a first hinge seat 10, a second hinge seat 20 and a transmission assembly. The first hinge seat 10 is used to be installed on the body, the second hinge seat 20 is used to be installed on the door body, and the transmission assembly is hinged between the first hinge seat 10 and the second hinge seat 20. The transmission assembly includes a first transmission rod 30, a second transmission rod 40, a third transmission rod 50 and a fourth transmission rod 60. The hinge includes a first transmission rod 30, whose front end is hinged to a first hinge seat 10 via a first hinge point 70; a second transmission rod 40, whose front end is hinged to a first hinge seat 10 via a second hinge point 80; a first transmission rod 30, whose rear end is hinged to a third transmission rod 50 via a third hinge point 90; a third transmission rod 50, whose rear end is hinged to a second hinge seat 20 via a fourth hinge point 100; a fourth transmission rod 60, whose front end is hinged to the middle of a second transmission rod 40 via a fifth hinge point 110; a fourth transmission rod 60, whose rear end is hinged to a second hinge seat 20 via a sixth hinge point 120; and a second transmission rod 40, whose rear end is hinged to the middle of a third transmission rod 50 via a seventh hinge point 130. The hinge also includes an electromagnetic damper 140 and a power source. At least one hinge point of the hinge is equipped with an electromagnetic damper 140, and the power source is electrically connected to the electromagnetic damper 140. The magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140 is adjustable.

[0057] In this embodiment, the structure providing the damping force is an electromagnetic damper 140. Even with increased usage, the electromagnetic damper 140 is less prone to significant fatigue, thus maintaining optimal damping performance and providing a better user experience. Furthermore, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140 is adjustable, allowing for control over its damping performance and offering greater flexibility to adapt to intelligent applications. This intelligent design aligns with the trend of IoT-enabled home appliances, enhancing product competitiveness.

[0058] It should be noted that, within a certain range, adjusting the current to the maximum will correspondingly adjust the damping to the maximum, which can limit the maximum opening angle and thus prevent the door from colliding with the outside.

[0059] As a preferred setting, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an electromagnetic damper 140 may be provided on at least one of the first hinge point 70 and the second hinge point 80, thereby providing more effective damping.

[0060] It should be noted that, in other alternative embodiments, theoretically, an electromagnetic damper 140 can be provided on at least one of the first hinge point 70, the second hinge point 80, the third hinge point 90, the fourth hinge point 100, the fifth hinge point 110, the sixth hinge point 120, and the seventh hinge point 130.

[0061] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the hinge also includes an angle sensor 150. An angle sensor 150 is provided on at least one of the hinge points to detect the angle between the two transmission rods at the corresponding hinge point or between one of the transmission rods and the corresponding hinge seat.

[0062] In this embodiment, during the opening and closing of the door, the angles between the corresponding structural components change accordingly as the hinge operates. The size of the angle reflects the working state of the hinge. Obtaining the angle is convenient and reliable, which helps to ensure that the damping performance matches the working process of the hinge, thereby optimizing the user experience.

[0063] Similarly, in other alternative embodiments, the angle sensor 150 can theoretically be provided on at least one of the first hinge point 70, the second hinge point 80, the third hinge point 90, the fourth hinge point 100, the fifth hinge point 110, the sixth hinge point 120 and the seventh hinge point 130.

[0064] As a preferred configuration, in this embodiment, an electromagnetic damper 140 is provided on one of the first hinge point 70 and the second hinge point 80, and an angle sensor 150 is provided on the other.

[0065] Since the first hinge seat 10 is fixed to the housing, and the housing remains stationary during the opening and closing of the door, the first hinge point 70 and the second hinge point 80 are fixed hinge points. By placing the electromagnetic damper 140 and the angle sensor 150 at the two hinge points respectively, the requirements for the wiring used to ensure the operation of the electromagnetic damper 140 and the angle sensor 150 are lower, eliminating the need for a large range of motion, which helps reduce costs. Furthermore, it avoids the possibility of excessively long wiring interfering with the normal operation of other structures, thus minimizing disruption to the normal operation of the hinge itself. In addition, placing the electromagnetic damper 140 and the angle sensor 150 at different hinge points ensures that both have sufficient installation space, making the arrangement more reasonable.

[0066] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first hinge seat 10 includes a horizontal part 101 and a vertical part 102 connected end to end. The first hinge point 70 is located at the end of the vertical part 102 near the horizontal part 101, and the second hinge point 80 is located at the end of the vertical part 102 away from the horizontal part 101.

[0067] The system comprises one electromagnetic damper 140 and one angle sensor 150, with the electromagnetic damper 140 positioned at the first hinge point 70 and the angle sensor 150 positioned at the second hinge point 80. By using only one electromagnetic damper 140 and one angle sensor 150, the damping of the resistive damper 140 can be adjusted as needed, while also simplifying the structure, reducing overall cost, and decreasing the complexity of the hinge structure.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140 is configured to be adjustable during the opening and closing of the door. This configuration allows for real-time automatic adjustment of the damping as needed during the opening and closing of the door, resulting in a better user experience and preventing unexpected and unwanted noise.

[0069] It should be noted that, for ease of explanation, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates the placement of the electromagnetic damper 140 and the angle sensor 150, and provides a structural diagram of them.

[0070] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the hinge also includes a wireless communication module, which is used to wirelessly connect with external terminal devices. The wireless communication module is electrically connected to the angle sensor 150 and the power supply.

[0071] The wireless communication module facilitates intelligent control, allows for the acquisition of angle signals as needed, and enables control over the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140, thereby facilitating flexible adjustment of the damping force and further optimizing the user experience.

[0072] The wireless communication module is used to wirelessly connect to external terminal devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The connection method is simple, reliable, and easy to implement. As an example, the external terminal device is a mobile phone, and users can flexibly perform various operations through an app on the phone. For example, by increasing damping, users can set a "child safety mode" or a "silent mode".

[0073] It should be noted that how the wireless communication module connects to external terminal devices and how to perform corresponding operations through the APP are technologies well known to those skilled in the art, and will not be elaborated here.

[0074] When the wireless communication module is connected to an external terminal device, the door control system is configured to allow setting the current threshold and / or door opening angle threshold of the electromagnetic damper 140 by operating the external terminal device. This configuration allows for flexible setting of the door opening angle threshold and the current threshold of the electromagnetic damper 140 according to the actual usage scenario, making it more flexible to use.

[0075] As a preferred configuration, the wireless communication module is disposed within the first hinge seat 10.

[0076] This arrangement serves two purposes: firstly, it provides better protection for the wireless communication module, ensuring its reliable operation and overall reliability of the door control system; secondly, utilizing the space within the first hinge seat 10 to house the wireless communication module improves space utilization.

[0077] The door opening process has a first stage of initial opening and a second stage of full opening of adjacent doors. In the first stage, the door opening angle is not greater than a first preset angle, and in the second stage, the door opening angle is not less than a second preset angle. In the first stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140 is a first current, and in the second stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper 140 is a second current, and the first current is greater than the second current.

[0078] This design provides greater damping during the initial opening phase, preventing or mitigating the door's tendency to spring open rapidly due to gravity, thus optimizing the user experience and preventing accidental injury. As the door approaches full opening, less damping is provided to ensure a smooth closing. During closing, the resistance automatically adjusts based on the door's opening angle to prevent impact with the cabinet, thus reducing noise and preventing damage. Furthermore, dynamically adjusting the current intensity of the electromagnetic damper 140 allows for graded resistance adjustment.

[0079] This embodiment also provides a door control system. The refrigerator includes this door control system, which is used to control the opening and closing of the refrigerator door. In addition to the aforementioned hinge, the door control system also includes a power supply, a judgment module, and a controller. The power supply is electrically connected to the electromagnetic damper 140. The judgment module is used to determine whether the adjustment conditions are met, and to issue an adjustment signal when the adjustment conditions are met. The controller is electrically connected to the power supply and the judgment module, and is used to control the magnitude of the current supplied by the power supply to the electromagnetic damper 140 when the adjustment signal is received.

[0080] An angle sensor 150 in the hinge emits an angle signal after detecting an angle. The controller is electrically connected to the angle sensor 150 to receive the angle signal and adjust the current when the corresponding angle in the angle signal reaches a preset angle. The adjustment condition is that the corresponding angle in the angle signal reaches the preset angle.

[0081] Here, by using the angle between the corresponding structural components (the angle between the two transmission rods or between one of the transmission rods and the corresponding hinge seat) as the factor for determining the adjustment condition, the angle between the corresponding structural components will change accordingly as the hinge works during the opening and closing process of the door. The size of the angle can reflect the working state of the hinge. Therefore, the setting of this adjustment condition is more convenient and reliable, which helps to ensure that the damping can match the working process of the hinge, and thus helps to optimize the user experience.

[0082] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment also provides a door control method, which adopts the above-mentioned door control system. The door control method includes the following steps:

[0083] Step S10: Determine whether the adjustment conditions are met. If so, send an adjustment signal to the controller.

[0084] Step S20: After receiving the adjustment signal, the controller controls the power supply to adjust the magnitude of the current supplied to the electromagnetic damper 140.

[0085] In this application, the structure providing damping force is set as an electromagnetic damper 140. Even with increased usage, the electromagnetic damper 140 is less prone to significant fatigue, thus maintaining optimal damping performance and providing a better user experience. The current supplied to the electromagnetic damper 140 is adjustable, thereby regulating its damping performance and offering excellent flexibility to adapt to intelligent needs. This intelligent design aligns with the trend of IoT home appliances, enhancing product competitiveness. Furthermore, properly configured damping can reduce impacts or collisions caused by poor damping performance, protecting cabinets and doors and extending their service life.

[0086] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A hinge for connecting the body and door of a refrigerator, the hinge comprising a first hinge seat, a second hinge seat, and a transmission assembly, wherein the first hinge seat is for mounting on the body, the second hinge seat is for mounting on the door, and the transmission assembly is hingedly connected between the first hinge seat and the second hinge seat, and the transmission assembly comprises a first transmission rod, a second transmission rod, a third transmission rod, and a fourth transmission rod, characterized in that... The hinge also includes: An electromagnetic damper is provided on at least one of the hinge points of the hinge. A power supply is electrically connected to the electromagnetic damper, wherein the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is adjustable.

2. The hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through the first hinge point, and the front end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through the second hinge point. The electromagnetic damper is provided at the first hinge point and / or the second hinge point.

3. The hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge also includes an angle sensor, which is provided on at least one of the hinge points to detect the angle between the two transmission rods at the corresponding hinge point or between one of the transmission rods and the corresponding hinge seat.

4. The hinge as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The front end of the first transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through the first hinge point, and the front end of the second transmission rod is hinged to the first hinge seat through the second hinge point. The electromagnetic damper is provided on one of the first hinge point and the second hinge point, and the angle sensor is provided on the other.

5. The hinge as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The hinge also includes a wireless communication module, which is used to wirelessly connect to an external terminal device and is electrically connected to the angle sensor and the power supply.

6. The hinge as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The wireless communication module is disposed within the first hinge seat.

7. The hinge as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first hinge seat includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion that are connected end to end. The first hinge point is located at one end of the vertical portion closer to the horizontal portion, and the second hinge point is located at one end of the vertical portion farther from the horizontal portion. The electromagnetic damper and the angle sensor are both one in number, with the electromagnetic damper located at the first hinge point and the angle sensor located at the second hinge point.

8. The hinge as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is configured to be adjustable during the opening and closing of the door.

9. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet and a door, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes a hinge as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The refrigerator as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The door opening process has a first stage of initial opening and a second stage of full opening of adjacent doors. In the first stage, the door opening angle is not greater than a first preset angle, and in the second stage, the door opening angle is not less than a second preset angle. In the first stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is a first current, and in the second stage, the current flowing through the electromagnetic damper is a second current, wherein the first current is greater than the second current.

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