Refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator, which comprises a cabinet, a door body, a hinge assembly connecting the cabinet and the door body, the hinge assembly comprising a first guide slot and a second guide slot arranged at the end of the door body, a first shaft and a second shaft arranged on the cabinet, the first guide slot being matched with the first shaft, and the second guide slot being matched with the second shaft, the first shaft being provided with a first wire passing hole extending along the axial direction of the first shaft, the bottom wall of the first guide slot being provided with a second wire passing hole, and the first shaft and the bottom wall of the first guide slot jointly defining a wire passing gap, the refrigerator comprising a wire harness, the wire harness extending from the cabinet to the first shaft and passing through the first shaft from the first wire passing hole, and then extending into the door body through the second wire passing hole on the first guide slot, at least part of the wire harness moving in the wire passing gap during the opening or closing of the door body, the wire passing function and the mechanical movement function of the hinge being highly integrated, no additional wire harness protection member or additional reserved space being needed, and the compactness of the structure being increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of household appliance technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, a display module or other functional modules are installed on the refrigerator door to enhance the refrigerator's display capabilities and multifunctionality. This requires a wiring harness between the refrigerator body and the door to achieve electrical connection. With the increasing demand for built-in refrigerators, a dual-axis hinge structure has emerged to ensure that the refrigerator can still function normally when placed in a cabinet. Through the constraint of the dual-axis hinge, the door can move laterally during rotation, effectively preventing the door from colliding with the cabinet. However, this requires additional wiring harness protection or reserved space for wiring harness fixing, resulting in an increased number of components and a larger space footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a refrigerator that highly integrates the wire-passing function with the mechanical movement function of the hinge (first axis), eliminating the need for additional wire harness protection or extra reserved space, thereby increasing the compactness of the structure.

[0004] In a first aspect, a refrigerator is provided, comprising: The container defines a storage compartment with an access opening; The door is used to open or close the pick-up and drop-off port; A hinge assembly connecting the door and the housing to allow the door to flip relative to the housing; the hinge assembly includes: The first guide groove and the second guide groove are located at the ends of the door body; A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the housing; the first guide groove cooperates with the first shaft, and the second guide groove cooperates with the second shaft; The first shaft is provided with a first wire-passing hole extending along its axial direction, and the bottom wall of the first guide groove is provided with a second wire-passing hole; the end face of the first shaft near the bottom wall of the first guide groove is referred to as the shaft end face, and the shaft end face and the bottom wall of the first guide groove together define the wire-passing gap; A wire harness extends from the housing to the first shaft and passes through the first wire hole through the first shaft, then through a second wire hole on the first guide groove and extends into the door body; During the opening or closing of the door, the first shaft moves relative to the first guide groove, the second shaft moves relative to the second guide groove, and at least a portion of the wire harness moves within the wire passage gap.

[0005] The above technical solution highly integrates the wire-passing function with the mechanical movement function of the hinge (first axis), eliminating the need for additional wire harness protection components or extra reserved space, thus increasing the structural compactness. Furthermore, the wire harness is confined within the wire-passing holes and gaps, preventing it from coming out, getting tangled or clamped by other moving parts, ensuring smooth door opening and closing and the long-term stability of the entire system. Moreover, the wire harness path is clear and repeatable, facilitating manual or automated assembly on the production line and simplifying diagnosis and replacement during after-sales maintenance.

[0006] In some embodiments, a third wire-passing hole is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft; The third wire-passing hole passes radially through the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft and communicates with the first wire-passing hole, and the third wire-passing hole extends axially along the entire length of the first shaft.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the third wire guide hole, as an opening along the full length of the first axis, provides a movable release point for the wire harness in its fixed state inside the first axis. When the second wire guide hole is displaced due to the movement of the door, the force it applies to the wire harness is first transmitted to the wire harness segment located at the third wire guide hole. This force drives the wire harness segment located at the third wire guide hole to slide axially within the low-friction open long slot. This significantly reduces the amount of displacement that needs to be compensated for by the bending deformation of the wire harness itself. Therefore, the bending of the wire harness becomes gentler, with smaller amplitude and lower frequency, fundamentally avoiding stress concentration and significantly improving fatigue resistance.

[0008] In some embodiments, the third wire hole extends axially along the first axis while also extending circumferentially along the first axis.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the third wire guide hole extends both axially and circumferentially along the first shaft, resulting in a spiral extension along the first shaft; that is, the third wire guide hole is a spiral groove. During the opening or closing of the door, when the first guide groove moves relative to the first shaft, a circumferential force is applied to the wire harness located within the third wire guide hole via the inclined surface of the spiral groove (third wire guide hole). This circumferential force causes the wire harness to roll along the trajectory of the spiral groove (third wire guide hole), rather than simply sliding as in a straight groove, thus reducing the resistance experienced by the wire harness during movement. This makes the opening and closing operation of the door feel lighter and smoother. This design also reduces the dynamic friction experienced by the wire harness itself, further reducing wear and movement resistance, and extending its lifespan.

[0010] In the straight first through hole, the wire harness can slide freely at any position within the hole, with an uncertain path. However, in the spiral third through hole, the wire harness is constrained to move within this spiral trajectory. When the door moves, the movement of the wire harness is no longer free but is restricted and guided to accommodate relative displacement, thus avoiding potential jamming or wear on the groove edge that might occur within the straight groove.

[0011] The wire bundle emerging from the spiral-shaped third guide hole naturally forms a curved shape tangential to the spatial curve with good curvature continuity. This avoids the situation where the wire bundle abruptly bends off at a right-angle edge from the straight first guide hole, ensuring a smooth transition from the first and / or third guide holes on the first shaft to the guide gap. The bending stress distribution of the wire bundle is more uniform, completely eliminating potential local stress concentration points and resulting in superior fatigue resistance.

[0012] In some embodiments, the projection of the third through hole is projected into a plane perpendicular to the axis of the first axis, and the central angle corresponding to the projection of the third through hole is denoted as γ, where γ ≥ 1.8π.

[0013] In the above technical solutions, when γ < 1.8π, the circumferential dimension of the wire harness wrapped by the third through hole is small, while the remaining opening is large (> 0.2π). This results in greater uncertainty and additional wear due to lateral swinging or jumping of the wire harness. In addition, the wire harness is prone to coming out of the opening.

[0014] When γ ≥ 1.8π, the third through-hole almost completely encloses the wire harness, leaving only an extremely narrow exit. This structure ensures that the wire harness is constrained near the first shaft under any movement state, eliminating uncertainties, noise, and additional wear caused by lateral swaying or jumping of the wire harness. Furthermore, in the helical design, the projected central angle γ directly determines the maximum theoretical travel distance the wire harness can slide within a single helical turn. The larger γ is, the longer the single-turn travel. γ ≥ 1.8π indicates an effective utilization rate of up to 90% per turn, allowing for the same sliding travel distance with a shorter shaft length as with a longer shaft and a smaller angle slot. Moreover, although the opening is very small (< 0.2π), it is still sufficient to install the wire harness through this opening into the first shaft, and once installed, the narrow opening ensures that the wire harness cannot detach on its own.

[0015] In some embodiments, the dimension of the gap along the axial direction of the first axis is denoted as D, where D ≥ 5 mm.

[0016] In the above technical solutions, when D < 5mm, the wire passage gap is too small. On the one hand, this leads to excessive bending of the wire harness, stress concentration, and accelerated fatigue. On the other hand, the wire harness may be trapped between the shaft end face of the first shaft and the bottom wall of the first guide groove during movement, causing insulation damage or even core wire breakage. Furthermore, when the door is opened to its maximum angle, the wire harness within the wire passage gap is stretched to its straightest point. If D is too small, the wire harness may still not be long enough after being stretched, resulting in direct tension at both ends (fixed points), making the wire harness extremely prone to breakage. When the door is closed, the wire harness accumulates within the wire passage gap. If D is too small, the wire harness may be severely compressed, or even pressed between the shaft end face of the first shaft and the bottom wall of the first guide groove. This will not only damage the wire harness but may also hinder the door from closing completely. Moreover, with a wire passage gap that is too small, even minor component deformation or displacement can cause the wire harness to be instantly pressed down, generating enormous local pressure and shear force. In addition, if the gap between wires is too small, it will not allow the wire harness to recover its natural state when it is not under stress, and it will not allow stress relaxation, which will reduce the life of the wire harness.

[0017] When D≥5mm, on the one hand, it ensures that the wiring harness has a safe minimum bending radius, guaranteeing that the bending stress remains below the material fatigue limit during multiple bends throughout its lifespan, fundamentally preventing breakage due to bending. On the other hand, when the door is opened to its maximum angle, the wiring harness within the passage gap is stretched to its straightest point while still remaining in a relaxed state; and when the door is closed, the sufficient passage gap also allows the wiring harness to remain relaxed. This passage gap setting ensures that the wiring harness remains in a relaxed, safe state throughout its entire movement, bearing only bending stress rather than tensile / compressive stress. Furthermore, this passage gap setting is sufficient to ensure that within all tolerances and movement fluctuations, the wiring harness will not be forcibly squeezed by two moving rigid components; the wiring harness only makes gentle, guided contact with the components, minimizing wear. Additionally, polymer insulation materials will creep under continuous stress; if tightly confined, stress cannot relax, accelerating aging. A larger space allows the wiring harness to return to its natural state when no force is applied, contributing to stress relaxation and extending its lifespan.

[0018] In some embodiments, the center trajectory line of the first guide groove is denoted as the first trajectory line, and the center trajectory line of the second guide groove is denoted as the second trajectory line; The length of the first trajectory line is less than the length of the second trajectory line.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the length of the first trajectory line being less than the length of the second trajectory line indicates that the length of the first guide groove along its center trajectory line is less than the length of the second guide groove's center trajectory line. The wire harness passes through the shorter first guide groove and the first shaft that mates with it. By limiting the wire harness to the shorter first guide groove, this technical solution reduces the displacement of the first shaft relative to the first guide groove, thereby reducing the bending amplitude of the wire harness and extending its lifespan.

[0020] Specifically, the fatigue life of the wiring harness mainly depends on the bending amplitude (strain amplitude) it experiences during each door opening and closing. The greater the bending amplitude, the shorter the fatigue failure cycle of the material. The length of the first guide groove directly determines the maximum possible movement distance of the first shaft within that groove. This movement distance, in turn, directly determines the amount of length change that the wiring harness connecting the first shaft and the second through hole (i.e., the movable wiring harness segment) must compensate for. A shorter first guide groove ensures that the bending radius of the wiring harness remains within a larger and safer range during movement. The bending stress amplitude of the metal conductor inside the wiring harness is significantly reduced, thereby greatly extending the fatigue life of the wiring harness.

[0021] In some embodiments, the center trajectory line of the first guide groove is denoted as the first trajectory line, and the second through hole is located at the center of the first trajectory line.

[0022] The above technical solution, with the second wire guide hole positioned at the center of the first trajectory line, ensures that during the entire movement of the door from fully closed to fully open, the movement path of the second wire guide hole relative to the first axis is symmetrical about this center point. This symmetrical design of the movement path minimizes (halves) the dynamic displacement that the wiring harness needs to compensate for, while simultaneously improving the stress state of the wiring harness from unidirectional fatigue to symmetrical alternating stress. Therefore, in conjunction with other wiring harness protection measures, it provides an optimal deformation environment for the wiring harness, greatly improving its reliability during long-term use.

[0023] In some embodiments, the refrigerator includes a track block mounted on the door end; The first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the track block.

[0024] The above technical solution uses independent track blocks to integrate the first and second guide slots. On the one hand, it can achieve excellent performance with high precision, long life and low noise through special materials and precision processes. On the other hand, it can greatly simplify assembly, reduce the cost of core wear parts and realize the rapid replacement of core wear parts.

[0025] In some embodiments, the door body includes a door end cap located at its end, the door end cap having a mating hole; The track block includes a plate, and a portion of the plate is recessed to one side to form a first guide groove and a second guide groove. The track block has a mating protrusion; the mating protrusion is located on the bottom wall side of the plate away from the first guide groove, and surrounds the first guide groove and the second guide groove; The plate is located on the side of the door end cover near the interior of the door body, and the mating protrusion is installed in the mating hole and mates with the mating hole.

[0026] The above technical solutions achieve rapid pre-positioning through the mating of protrusions and mating holes, making assembly more precise and efficient. Furthermore, the structure of the mating protrusions and mating holes bears the main shear forces, protecting screws, clips, and other fastening structures, ensuring long-term stability, and improving the reliability and durability of the connection between the track block and the door end cover. A labyrinth seal is constructed through the surrounding mating protrusions to prevent cold air leakage. The high-strength track block, mating with the door end cover, strengthens the end structure of the door body and prevents deformation.

[0027] Secondly, a refrigerator is provided, comprising: The container defines a storage compartment with an access opening; The door is used to open or close the pick-up and drop-off port; A hinge assembly connecting the door and the housing to allow the door to flip relative to the housing; the hinge assembly includes: The first guide groove and the second guide groove are located at the ends of the door body; A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the housing; the first guide groove cooperates with the first shaft, and the second guide groove cooperates with the second shaft; The end face of the first shaft and the bottom wall of the first guide groove together define the wire passage gap. Wiring harness, which includes: A first wire harness segment extends from the housing to the first shaft and passes through the first shaft along its axial direction; A movable wire harness segment, one end of which is connected to the end of the first wire harness segment that extends out of the first shaft; the movable wire harness segment is located within the wire passage gap; The second wire harness segment has one end connected to the other end of the movable wire harness segment; the second wire harness segment extends into the door body through the bottom of the first guide groove.

[0028] The above technical solution highly integrates the wire-passing function with the mechanical movement function of the hinge (first axis), eliminating the need for additional wire harness protection components or extra reserved space, thus increasing the structural compactness. Furthermore, the wire harness is confined within the first axis, the bottom of the first guide groove, and the wire-passing gap, preventing it from coming out, getting tangled or clamped by other moving parts, ensuring smooth door opening and closing and the long-term stability of the entire system. Moreover, the wire harness path is clear and repeatable, facilitating manual or automated assembly on the production line and simplifying diagnosis and replacement during after-sales maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary schematic diagram of the overall structure of a refrigerator according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 2 A partial structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 3 Another partial structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 4 An exploded structural schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 5 Another exploded structural schematic diagram of a hinge assembly according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 6 An exemplary schematic diagram of the mating structure of a first hinge member and a second hinge member according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 7 An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a first shaft according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 8 An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective of the first axis according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 9 An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a trajectory block according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 10 An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a trajectory block from another perspective according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 11 An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a trajectory block from another perspective according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 12 An exploded structural diagram of a track block and a door end cap according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 13 An exemplary schematic diagram of the mating structure of the track block and the door end cover according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 14 An exemplary schematic diagram of the engagement structure of the track block and the door end cap from another perspective is shown according to some embodiments.

[0030] The refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body 10; a door body 11; a hinge assembly 13; a first guide groove 21; a second guide groove 22; a hinge plate 30; a first shaft 31; a second shaft 32; a first wire hole 41; a second wire hole 42; a third wire hole 43; a wire gap 44; a wire harness 4; a first track line 211; a second track line 221; a track block 5; a plate 51; a mating protrusion 52; a door end cover 101; and a mating hole 102. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives and implementation methods of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the exemplary embodiments described are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0032] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the convenience of understanding the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise stated, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and common meaning.

[0033] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar or related objects or entities, and do not necessarily imply a specific order or sequence, unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate.

[0034] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover but not exclude inclusion, for example, a product or device that includes a range of components is not necessarily limited to all of the components that are clearly listed, but may include other components that are not clearly listed or that are inherent to such product or device.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1-6 The refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 10 that defines a storage compartment. The front end of the storage compartment has a retrieval opening for placing or retrieving stored items from the storage compartment.

[0036] The refrigerator 100 includes a door 11, which is connected to the cabinet 10 to open and close the storage compartment. The door 11 is rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 to open or close the access port.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1-5 The refrigerator 100 includes a hinge assembly 13, which connects the door 11 and the cabinet 10 so that the door 11 can be flipped relative to the cabinet 10. The hinge assembly 13 includes a first hinge member disposed at the end of the door 11 and a second hinge member disposed on the cabinet 10.

[0038] The first hinge component includes a first guide groove 21 and a second guide groove 22. That is, the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 22 are located at the ends of the door body 11.

[0039] The second hinge component includes a first shaft 31 and a second shaft 32. That is, the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 are disposed on the housing 10. The first guide groove 21 cooperates with the first shaft 31, and the second guide groove 22 cooperates with the second shaft 32. During the opening or closing of the door 11, the first shaft 31 moves relative to the first guide groove 21, and the second shaft 32 moves relative to the second guide groove 22.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, the second hinge component includes a hinge plate 30. The hinge plate 30 is fixedly connected to the housing 10, and the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 are disposed on the hinge plate 30.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 6 In some embodiments of this application, the end face of the first shaft 31 near the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 is referred to as the shaft end face P. The first shaft 31 is provided with a first wire-passing hole 41 extending along its axial direction, and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 is provided with a second wire-passing hole 42; the shaft end face P and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 together define the wire-passing gap 44.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the dimension of the line gap 44 along the axial direction of the first axis 31 is denoted as D, where D≥5mm.

[0043] In the above technical solutions, when D < 5mm, the wire passage gap 44 is too small. On the one hand, this leads to excessive bending of the wire harness 4, stress concentration, and accelerated fatigue. On the other hand, the wire harness 4 may be trapped between the shaft end face P of the first shaft 31 and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 during movement, causing insulation damage or even core wire breakage. Furthermore, when the door 11 is opened to its maximum angle, the wire harness 4 in the wire passage gap 44 is pulled straightest. If D is too small, the wire harness 4 may still not be long enough after being straightened, causing its two ends (fixed points) to be subjected to direct tension, making the wire harness 4 very prone to breakage. When the door 11 is closed, the wire harness 4 accumulates in the wire passage gap 44. If D is too small, the wire harness 4 may be severely squeezed, or even pressed between the shaft end face P of the first shaft 31 and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21. This will not only damage the wire harness 4 but may also prevent the door 11 from closing completely. Furthermore, if the wire passage gap 44 is too small, even minor component deformation or displacement may cause the wire harness 4 to be instantly pressed down, generating huge local pressure and shear force. In addition, if the wire passage gap 44 is too small, it will not allow the wire harness 4 to recover its natural state when it is not under stress, and it will not allow stress relaxation, resulting in a reduced lifespan of the wire harness 4.

[0044] When D≥5mm, on the one hand, it ensures that the wire harness 4 has a safe minimum bending radius, guaranteeing that the bending stress of the wire harness 4 remains below the material fatigue limit during multiple bends throughout its lifespan, fundamentally preventing breakage due to bending. On the other hand, when the door 11 is opened to its maximum angle, the wire harness 4 within the wire passage gap 44 is pulled to its straightest position, yet the wire harness 4 remains in a relaxed state; and when the door 11 is closed, due to the sufficient wire passage gap 44, the wire harness 4 can also remain in a relaxed state. The above-mentioned setting of the wire passage gap 44 ensures that the wire harness 4 is in a relaxed, safe state throughout the entire movement stroke, bearing only bending stress rather than tensile / compressive stress. Furthermore, the above-mentioned setting of the wire passage gap 44 is sufficient to ensure that within all tolerances and movement fluctuations, the wire harness 4 will not be rigidly squeezed by two moving rigid components as a pad; the wire harness 4 only makes gentle, guiding contact with the components, minimizing wear. In addition, polymer insulation materials will creep under continuous stress; if tightly confined, the stress cannot relax, which will accelerate aging. The larger space allows harness 4 to return to its natural state when not under stress, which helps with stress relaxation and extends its lifespan.

[0045] The refrigerator 100 includes a wiring harness 4 extending from the cabinet 10 to a first shaft 31, passing through a first wire through hole 41, and then through a second wire through hole 42 on a first guide groove 21 into the door 11. During the opening or closing of the door 11, the first shaft 31 moves relative to the first guide groove 21, the second shaft 32 moves relative to the second guide groove 22, and at least a portion of the wiring harness 4 moves within a wire through gap 44.

[0046] In the above technical solution, during the process of the door 11 changing from the closed state to the open state, the door 11 begins to rotate. It moves relative to the housing 10 via the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 22 provided on the door 11. The first shaft 31 moves within the first guide groove 21, and the second shaft 32 moves within the second guide groove 22. The position of the first shaft 31 relative to the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 changes (e.g., sliding from one end of the first guide groove 21 to the other). Simultaneously, the portion of the wire harness 4 passing through the first shaft 31 that is bent within the wire passage gap 44 automatically adjusts its bending shape to adapt to the new relative position. It may smoothly transition from one bending shape to another. Throughout the process, both ends of the wire harness 4 (the housing 10 side and the door 11 side) are firmly fixed or guided, and only the middle portion undergoes low-stress morphological changes within the controlled wire passage gap 44.

[0047] The above technical solution involves opening a first wire-passing hole 41 on the first shaft 31 and a second wire-passing hole 42 on the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21. The wire harness 4 extends from the housing 10 to the first shaft 31 and then directly enters the axial first wire-passing hole 41 of the first shaft 31. This entry point is fixed relative to the housing 10. This protects the root of the wire harness 4 before it enters the moving parts, preventing direct bending.

[0048] In addition, the wire harness 4 does not swing freely in an open, chaotic hinge space, but is confined in a dynamic channel formed by the connection of the first wire hole 41 and the second wire hole 42. This greatly reduces the degree of freedom of the wire harness 4 and makes its movement controllable.

[0049] Furthermore, if the end face of the first shaft 31 is in close contact with the bottom wall of the guide groove, then when the first shaft 31 slides within the first guide groove 21, the wire harness 4 exiting from the first wire hole 41 will be instantly sheared or severely squeezed between the two rigid components. In the above technical solution, a wire passage gap 44 exists between the shaft end face P of the first shaft 31 and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21. This wire passage gap 44 allows the wire harness 4, passing through the first wire hole 41 and leading to the second wire hole 42, to form a gentle curved arc, rather than a sharp right angle. When the door 11 opens or closes, the relative position of the first shaft 31 and the bottom wall of the first guide groove 21 continuously changes. This curved wire harness segment can freely and smoothly change its bending shape and direction within the wire passage gap 44. During the opening or closing of the door 11, the deformation of the wire harness 4 is distributed along the curved arc, avoiding repeated and severe bending at any single fixed point (such as the edge of the wire hole), significantly reducing the fatigue effect of the material. Due to the wire gap 44, the bottom wall of the moving first shaft 31 and the first guide groove 21 will not directly press against the main body of the wire harness 4, but will only make gentle contact with and guide the curved part of the wire harness 4, preventing the wire harness 4 from being squeezed.

[0050] In some embodiments of this application, the wire harness 4 includes a first wire harness segment that extends from the housing 10 to the first shaft 31 and passes through the first shaft 31 along its axial direction.

[0051] The wire harness 4 includes a movable wire harness segment, one end of which is connected to the end of the first wire harness segment that extends out of the first shaft 31; the movable wire harness segment is located within the wire passage gap 44.

[0052] The wiring harness 4 includes a second wiring harness segment, one end of which is connected to the other end of a movable wiring harness segment; the second wiring harness segment extends into the door body 11 through the bottom of the first guide groove 21.

[0053] The above technical solution integrates the wire-passing function with the mechanical movement function of the hinge (first axis 31), eliminating the need for additional wire harness 4 protection or extra reserved space, thus increasing the structural compactness. Furthermore, the wire harness 4 is confined within the wire-passing hole and gap, preventing it from coming out, getting tangled or clamped by other moving parts, ensuring smooth opening and closing of the door 11 and the long-term stability of the entire system. Moreover, the path of the wire harness 4 is clear and repeatable, facilitating manual or automated assembly on the production line and simplifying diagnosis and replacement during after-sales maintenance. By designing the hinge axis (first axis 31) as a dynamic conduit (first wire-passing hole 41) and reserving a wire-passing gap 44, the above technical solution successfully resolves the conflict between the movable door 11 and the fixed wire harness 4.

[0054] Please refer to Figures 7-8 In some embodiments of this application, a third wire-passing hole 43 is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft 31; the third wire-passing hole 43 passes through the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft 31 radially and communicates with the first wire-passing hole 41, and the third wire-passing hole 43 extends along the axial direction of the first shaft 31 over the entire length of the first shaft 31.

[0055] With only the first wire guide hole 41, the portion of the wire harness 4 within the first shaft 31 is fixed, and its bending point is forcibly constrained at the opening of the first wire guide hole 41 with the shaft end of the first shaft 31. When the second wire guide hole 42 moves with the door body 11, it pulls on the wire harness 4, forcing it to repeatedly and rapidly bend at the fixed point (the opening). In the above technical solution of this application, the third wire guide hole 43, as an opening along the entire axial length of the first shaft 31, provides a movable release point for the fixed state of the wire harness 4 within the first shaft 31. When the second wire guide hole 42 is displaced due to the movement of the door body 11, the force it exerts on the wire harness 4 is first transmitted to the wire harness segment located at the third wire guide hole 43. This force drives the wire harness segment located at the third wire guide hole 43 to slide axially within the low-friction open long slot. This greatly reduces the amount of displacement that needs to be compensated for by the bending deformation of the wire harness 4 itself. Therefore, the bending of wire harness 4 becomes gentler, smaller in amplitude, and lower in frequency, fundamentally avoiding stress concentration and significantly improving fatigue resistance.

[0056] Furthermore, due to the complex motion trajectory of the second wire guide hole 42, a fixed exit point is difficult to optimally match. The full-length design of the third wire guide hole 43 means that the effective exit of the wire harness 4 is no longer a point at the shaft end, but a line on the shaft body. During movement, the wire harness 4 will spontaneously form a smooth arc from the dynamic exit to the second wire guide hole 42. The bending shape of the wire harness 4 is dynamic, adaptive, and naturally optimized, which can conform to the complex motion trajectory of the hinge assembly 13, eliminating the risk of the wire harness 4 getting stuck, twisted, or interfering with other components due to sudden changes in the direction of movement.

[0057] Furthermore, the hinge assembly 13 has an extremely compact space and contains multiple moving parts. Threading the wire harness 4 through the end hole of the first shaft 31 presents poor visibility and makes it difficult to use tools during assembly and maintenance. The radial opening design of the third wire guide hole 43 simplifies the threading action to a simple wire release or snapping action. Assembly workers can easily install the wire harness 4 from the side third wire guide hole 43 to the first wire guide hole 41, just like inserting an electrical wire into a wire channel, greatly improving assembly efficiency and yield. During after-sales maintenance, the wire harness 4 can be quickly replaced, reducing maintenance costs and time.

[0058] In some embodiments of this application, the third wire hole 43 extends axially along the first axis 31 while also extending circumferentially along the first axis 31.

[0059] In the above technical solution, the third wire passage hole 43 extends both axially and circumferentially along the first shaft 31, making it spirally extended on the first shaft 31; that is, the third wire passage hole 43 is a spiral groove. During the opening or closing of the door 11, when the first guide groove 21 moves relative to the first shaft 31, a circumferential force is applied to the wire harness 4 located within the third wire passage hole 43 through the inclined surface of the spiral groove (third wire passage hole 43). This circumferential force causes the wire harness 4 to roll along the trajectory of the spiral groove (third wire passage hole 43), rather than simply sliding as in a straight groove, thus reducing the resistance experienced by the wire harness 4 during movement. This makes the opening and closing operation of the door 11 feel lighter and smoother. The above design reduces the dynamic friction experienced by the wire harness 4 itself, further reducing wear and movement resistance, and extending its lifespan.

[0060] In the straight first through hole 41, the wire harness 4 can slide freely at any position within the hole 41, and its path is uncertain. However, in the spiral third through hole 43, the wire harness 4 is constrained to move within this spiral trajectory. When the door body 11 moves, the movement of the wire harness 4 is no longer free, but is restricted and guided to adapt to relative displacement, which can avoid the wire harness 4 from getting stuck in the straight groove or wearing with the groove edge.

[0061] The wire bundle 4, drawn from the spiral-shaped third through hole 43, naturally forms a curved shape tangent to the spatial curve with good curvature continuity. This avoids the situation where the wire bundle 4 suddenly bends out from a right-angle edge of the straight first through hole 41, ensuring a smooth transition from the first through hole 41 and / or the third through hole 43 on the first shaft 31 to the through gap 44. The bending stress distribution of the wire bundle 4 is more uniform, completely eliminating potential local stress concentration points and resulting in better fatigue resistance.

[0062] In some embodiments of this application, the central angle corresponding to the projection of the third through hole 43 in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the first axis 31 is denoted as γ, where γ ≥ 1.8π.

[0063] In the above technical solutions, when γ < 1.8π, the circumferential dimension of the third through hole 43 surrounding the wire harness 4 is small, while the remaining opening is large (> 0.2π). This results in greater uncertainty and additional wear due to the lateral swing or jump of the wire harness 4. In addition, the wire harness 4 is prone to coming out of the opening.

[0064] When γ ≥ 1.8π, the third through-hole 43 almost completely encloses the wire harness 4, leaving only an extremely narrow exit. This structure ensures that the wire harness 4 is constrained within the first shaft 31 under any motion state, eliminating the uncertainty, noise, and additional wear caused by the lateral swing or jump of the wire harness 4. Furthermore, in the helical design, the projected central angle γ directly determines the maximum theoretical travel distance that the wire harness 4 can slide within a single helical turn. The larger γ is, the longer the single-turn travel. γ ≥ 1.8π indicates that the effective utilization rate of a single turn is as high as 90%, allowing for the same sliding travel distance as a longer shaft with a small-angle slot to be achieved with a shorter shaft length. Moreover, although the opening is very small (< 0.2π), it is still sufficient to install the wire harness 4 within the first shaft 31 through this opening, and once installed within the first shaft 31, the narrow opening ensures that the wire harness 4 cannot detach on its own.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 9 In some embodiments of this application, the center trajectory line of the first guide groove 21 is denoted as the first trajectory line 211, and the center trajectory line of the second guide groove 22 is denoted as the second trajectory line 221. The length of the first trajectory line 211 is less than the length of the second trajectory line 221.

[0066] In the above technical solution, the length of the first trajectory line 211 is less than the length of the second trajectory line 221, indicating that the length of the first guide groove 21 along its central trajectory line is less than the length of the central trajectory line of the second guide groove 22. The wire harness 4 passes through the shorter first guide groove 21 and the first shaft 31 that mates with the first guide groove 21. By limiting the wire harness 4 to pass through the shorter first guide groove 21, the above technical solution reduces the displacement of the first shaft 31 relative to the first guide groove 21, thereby reducing the bending amplitude of the wire harness 4 and extending its lifespan.

[0067] Specifically, the fatigue life of the wire harness 4 mainly depends on the bending amplitude (strain amplitude) it experiences during each opening and closing of the door 11. The greater the bending amplitude, the shorter the fatigue failure cycle of the material. The length of the first guide groove 21 directly determines the maximum possible movement distance of the first shaft 31 within the groove. This movement distance, in turn, directly determines the amount of length change that the wire harness 4 (i.e., the movable wire harness segment) connecting the first shaft 31 and the second through hole 42 must compensate for. A shorter first guide groove 21 ensures that the bending radius of the wire harness 4 remains within a larger and safer range during movement. The bending stress amplitude of the metal conductor inside the wire harness 4 is significantly reduced, thereby greatly extending the fatigue life of the wire harness 4.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 9 In some embodiments of this application, the center trajectory line of the first guide groove 21 is denoted as the first trajectory line 211, and the second through hole 42 is located at the center of the first trajectory line 211.

[0069] Assume the second wire guide hole 42 is located at one end of the trajectory line (e.g., near the closed position). When the door 11 is fully opened, the second wire guide hole 42 needs to move from the closed end to the open end, away from the closed end, with a large displacement Smax. This will cause the wire harness 4 to be stretched significantly, requiring a large loop to be formed within the wire guide gap 44 to compensate for this displacement.

[0070] In the above technical solution of this application, the second wire hole 42 is located at the center of the first trajectory line 211. When the door 11 is fully closed, the position of one end of the first shaft 31 in the first guide groove 21 is defined as A; when the door 11 is fully open, the position of the other end of the first shaft 31 in the first guide groove 21 is defined as B, and the center point is defined as C.

[0071] From the moment the door 11 is completely closed (the second wire hole 42 is at point A) to the moment the door 11 is completely open (the second wire hole 42 moves to point B), the displacement of the second wire hole 42 is S = AB.

[0072] The displacement from when door 11 is fully open (at point B) to when door 11 is fully closed (at point A) is S = BA.

[0073] Since C is the center point, CA = CB. This distance CB (or CA) is the maximum possible displacement of the second through hole 42, and this maximum displacement is exactly half of the total length of the entire trajectory line (AB).

[0074] Compared to placing the wire guide hole at the end point, the relative displacement that the wire harness 4 needs to compensate for is directly halved by the above technical solution. This shows that the bending arc of the wire harness 4 within the wire guide gap 44 is always controlled within a smaller and more stable range. Since the fatigue life of the wire harness 4 is directly related to the bending amplitude and frequency, the above technical solution can significantly extend the life of the wire harness 4.

[0075] Furthermore, in the asymmetrical configuration, the second wire hole 42 is not centered, so the wire harness 4 will continuously deviate to the side with the longer trajectory line for most of the movement time. This will cause the metal wires and insulation inside the wire harness 4 to be subjected to bending stress in one direction for a long time, accelerating the unidirectional fatigue of the materials.

[0076] This application features a symmetrical arrangement, with the second wire passage 42 located at the center. When the door 11 moves from closed to open, the wire harness 4 bends in one direction; when the door 11 moves from open to closed, the wire harness 4 bends in the opposite direction. The wire harness 4 experiences a symmetrical, alternating stress, rather than a unidirectional stress. This avoids the directional accumulation of stress in the microstructure, which helps delay material fatigue; it also allows the material on both sides of the wire harness 4 to participate in deformation evenly, resulting in a longer overall lifespan.

[0077] Furthermore, the center point is a clear and easy-to-locate reference. In production assembly, setting the second through hole 42 at the center position can serve as a process reference, simplifying positioning and installation, and improving product consistency on the production line.

[0078] From the perspective of tolerance analysis, since the maximum displacement has been reduced by half, the relative impact of the displacement calculation error caused by the manufacturing tolerance and assembly error of the parts has also been reduced proportionally. This reduces the risk of the wire harness 4 being overstretched or squeezed in extreme positions due to the accumulation of tolerances, thereby improving the overall yield and long-term reliability of the product.

[0079] Please refer to Figures 9-11 In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator 100 includes a track block 5 installed at the end of the door 11; a first guide groove 21 and a second guide groove 22 are formed on the track block 5.

[0080] Door body 11 or housing 10 is typically made of plastic (such as ABS) or sheet metal, whose material properties may not be ideal for sliding tracks requiring high wear resistance and low friction. In the above technical solution, track block 5 can be independently selected from superior materials, such as high-strength engineering plastics (such as POM, which has self-lubricating properties and high wear resistance) or powder metallurgy materials, specifically designed to withstand repeated sliding friction, thus optimizing the material. The dedicated wear-resistant material ensures that the hinge assembly 13 maintains its initial precision and performance after several openings and closings, preventing door body 11 from sinking, loosening, or making abnormal noises due to groove wear.

[0081] Furthermore, machining high-precision guide grooves on small, independent track blocks 5 is far easier than machining them on large door panels 11 or housings 10, achieving higher dimensional accuracy, shape accuracy, and lower surface roughness, thus facilitating process optimization. The high-precision, low-friction coefficient grooves, when fitted with the shaft, make the door 11 open and close more smoothly with minimal operating noise. These technical solutions fundamentally improve the durability of the hinge, the core moving component.

[0082] Furthermore, the separate design of track block 5 greatly simplifies the assembly process, improves production efficiency, and reduces the risk of errors caused by complex multi-step assembly. If the first guide groove 21 or the second guide groove 22 is damaged or worn after long-term use, only track block 5 needs to be replaced, making assembly and maintenance modular and significantly reducing costs.

[0083] Secondly, the hinge is a stress-concentrated component. All the weight of the door body 11 and the impact force of opening and closing the door are transmitted through the contact point between the shaft and the groove. If the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 22 are directly made on the plastic door body 11, the huge concentrated stress may cause local cracking or deformation of the door body 11. The independent track block 5, as a stronger reinforcing bushing, can effectively disperse the concentrated stress to a larger area and evenly transmit the force to the main structure of the door body 11 through screws, clips, and other fastening points. The above technical solutions protect the door body 11 or the housing 10 from damage due to long-term stress and improve the structural durability of the whole machine.

[0084] Please refer to Figures 12-14 In some embodiments of this application, the door body 11 includes a door end cover 101 located at its end, and the door end cover 101 is provided with a mating hole 102.

[0085] The track block 5 includes a plate 51, a portion of which is recessed to one side to form a first guide groove 21 and a second guide groove 22. A mating protrusion 52 is formed on the track block 5; the mating protrusion 52 is located on the bottom wall side of the plate 51 away from the first guide groove 21 and surrounds the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 22. The plate 51 is located on the side of the door end cover 101 near the interior of the door body 11, and the mating protrusion 52 is installed in the mating hole 102 and mates with the mating hole 102.

[0086] The above technical solution, through the setting of plate 51 and matching protrusion 52, ensures that when the track block 5 is installed, the matching protrusion 52 is installed in the matching hole 102, and the circumferential (rotation direction) and radial position between the track block 5 and the door end cover 101 are basically fixed, making assembly faster; and ensures that the installation position of the track block 5 on all refrigerators 100 is consistent, thereby ensuring the consistency of the opening and closing action of the door 11, improving the production yield and product quality.

[0087] Furthermore, during the opening and closing process of the door 11, the shafts (first shaft 31 and second shaft 32) on the housing 10 exert a force on the guide grooves (first guide groove 21 and second guide groove 22) on the track block 5. This force, in a plane parallel to the plate 51, is mainly manifested as shear force. In the above technical solution, the mating protrusion 52 and the mating hole 102 are in surface contact, and their larger contact area can very effectively withstand and disperse these shear forces.

[0088] Furthermore, the track block 5 itself is a high-strength component. When the mating protrusion 52 is embedded in the relatively weak mating hole 102 of the door end cover 101, it is equivalent to embedding a reinforcing skeleton into the door end cover 101. This structure allows the force borne by the hinge to be transmitted more evenly to the entire door end cover 101 through the mating protrusion 52 and the mating hole 102 structure, rather than being concentrated around a few screws, clips, or other fastening structures. This technical solution prevents the door end cover 101 from twisting or denting under long-term stress, and improves the overall rigidity and impact resistance of the end of the door body 11.

[0089] Furthermore, there is inevitably an assembly gap between the plate 51 of the track block 5 and the door end cover 101. Cold air inside the refrigerator 100 can easily leak along this gap, leading to increased energy consumption and condensation on the door 11. The above technical solution, together with the protrusion 52 surrounding the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 22, forms a continuous dam. When the plate 51 is fastened to the door end cover 101, this protrusion fits tightly with the mating hole 102, forming a physical barrier and extending the cold air leakage path from the inside of the door 11 to the outside. If a sealing groove is designed on the mating protrusion 52 or the plate 51, and sealant is applied, the effect will be far greater than applying sealant directly to the flat plate, achieving a highly efficient double seal and helping to improve the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 100.

[0090] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0091] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The container defines a storage compartment with an access opening; The door is used to open or close the pick-up and drop-off port; A hinge assembly connecting the door and the housing to allow the door to flip relative to the housing; the hinge assembly includes: The first guide groove and the second guide groove are located at the ends of the door body; A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the housing; the first guide groove cooperates with the first shaft, and the second guide groove cooperates with the second shaft; The first shaft is provided with a first wire-passing hole extending along its axial direction, and the bottom wall of the first guide groove is provided with a second wire-passing hole; the end face of the first shaft near the bottom wall of the first guide groove is referred to as the shaft end face, and the shaft end face and the bottom wall of the first guide groove together define the wire-passing gap; A wire harness extends from the housing to the first shaft and passes through the first wire hole through the first shaft, then through a second wire hole on the first guide groove and extends into the door body; During the opening or closing of the door, the first shaft moves relative to the first guide groove, the second shaft moves relative to the second guide groove, and at least a portion of the wire harness moves within the wire passage gap.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, A third wire-passing hole is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft; The third wire-passing hole passes radially through the circumferential sidewall of the first shaft and communicates with the first wire-passing hole, and the third wire-passing hole extends axially along the entire length of the first shaft.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third wire hole extends axially along the first axis and circumferentially along the first axis.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The central angle corresponding to the projection of the third through hole in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the first axis is denoted as γ, where γ ≥ 1.8π.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the axial direction of the first axis, the dimension of the gap between the lines is denoted as D, where D ≥ 5 mm.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The center trajectory line of the first guide groove is denoted as the first trajectory line, and the center trajectory line of the second guide groove is denoted as the second trajectory line; The length of the first trajectory line is less than the length of the second trajectory line.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The center trajectory line of the first guide groove is denoted as the first trajectory line, and the second through hole is located at the center of the first trajectory line.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes a track block installed at the end of the door; The first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the track block.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The door body includes a door end cap located at its end, and the door end cap is provided with a mating hole; The track block includes a plate, and a portion of the plate is recessed to one side to form a first guide groove and a second guide groove. The track block has a mating protrusion; the mating protrusion is located on the bottom wall side of the plate away from the first guide groove, and surrounds the first guide groove and the second guide groove; The plate is located on the side of the door end cover near the interior of the door body, and the mating protrusion is installed in the mating hole and mates with the mating hole.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The container defines a storage compartment with an access opening; The door is used to open or close the pick-up and drop-off port; A hinge assembly connecting the door and the housing to allow the door to flip relative to the housing; the hinge assembly includes: The first guide groove and the second guide groove are located at the ends of the door body; A first shaft and a second shaft are disposed on the housing; the first guide groove cooperates with the first shaft, and the second guide groove cooperates with the second shaft; The end face of the first shaft and the bottom wall of the first guide groove together define the wire passage gap. Wiring harness, which includes: A first wire harness segment extends from the housing to the first shaft and passes through the first shaft along its axial direction; A movable wire harness segment, one end of which is connected to the end of the first wire harness segment that extends out of the first shaft; the movable wire harness segment is located within the wire passage gap; The second wire harness segment has one end connected to the other end of the movable wire harness segment; the second wire harness segment extends into the door body through the bottom of the first guide groove.

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