Refrigerator hinge and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model provides a refrigerator hinge and refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator hinge includes cabinet support, cabinet door support and connecting link assembly between both, cabinet support and cabinet door support are used for fixing to refrigerator cabinet and door body respectively, the link assembly includes the main link, first auxiliary link, second auxiliary link and third auxiliary link who all have first end and second end, the first end of main link and third auxiliary link is hinged with cabinet support, the first end of first auxiliary link and second auxiliary link is hinged with cabinet door support, the second end of first auxiliary link is hinged with the second end of main link, the second end of second auxiliary link is hinged with the intermediate part of main link, the second end of third auxiliary link is hinged with second auxiliary link. The utility model discloses a refrigerator hinge, through multiple links and make up link assembly, disperse stress, avoid component deformation, realize high -strength bearing and stable rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to hinges, and more particularly to refrigerator hinges and refrigerators using the refrigerator hinge. Background Technology

[0002] As refrigerators become larger and heavier, the weight of the doors has increased significantly (some reaching 75kg). Traditional refrigerator hinges, due to insufficient structural strength, are prone to deformation and loosening, leading to poor door closure, accelerated wear of the sealing strip, and even affecting the refrigerator's cooling efficiency. In existing technology, ordinary refrigerator hinges are mostly made from a single sheet metal, and the connection between the load-bearing shaft and the connecting rod assembly is prone to breakage due to stress concentration. Furthermore, they lack an effective adjustment mechanism after installation; if the closing force weakens, the hinge must be disassembled and reinstalled, resulting in high maintenance costs. In addition, the frequent opening and closing of heavy-duty refrigerator doors accelerates hinge wear, and existing hinges lack sufficient wear resistance, further shortening their lifespan. Therefore, a heavy-duty refrigerator hinge with strong load-bearing capacity, good adjustability, and wear resistance is needed to meet the requirements of heavy-duty refrigerators. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a refrigerator hinge and a refrigerator using the refrigerator hinge.

[0004] To achieve the objectives of this utility model, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0005] A refrigerator hinge includes a cabinet support, a door support, and a connecting rod assembly connecting the two. The cabinet support and the door support are respectively used to fix to the refrigerator cabinet and door. The connecting rod assembly includes a main connecting rod, a first secondary connecting rod, a second secondary connecting rod, and a third secondary connecting rod, each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the main connecting rod and the third secondary connecting rod are hinged to the cabinet support. The first ends of the first secondary connecting rod and the second secondary connecting rod are hinged to the door support. The second end of the first secondary connecting rod is hinged to the second end of the main connecting rod. The second end of the second secondary connecting rod is hinged to the middle part of the main connecting rod. The second end of the third secondary connecting rod is hinged to the second secondary connecting rod.

[0006] Preferably, the two opposite sides of the cabinet support are right-angled triangles. The main connecting rod is connected to the inner side of the cabinet support near the corner and can fit against one right-angled side of the cabinet support when the hinge is closed. The other right-angled side of the cabinet support extends outward to form a hinge seat. The end of the third auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the hinge seat.

[0007] Preferably, the cabinet support has a built-in linear damper, which includes a hydraulic cylinder and a buffer seat connected to the hydraulic cylinder and slidable along the center line of the hydraulic cylinder. The third connecting rod is configured to push the buffer seat to squeeze the hydraulic cylinder during the hinge closing process.

[0008] Preferably, the buffer seat has a pressure-resistant inclined surface on the side opposite to the hydraulic cylinder, and the third connecting rod has a triggering arc surface on the side corresponding to the buffer seat. The triggering arc surface acts on the pressure-resistant inclined surface during the hinge closing process.

[0009] Preferably, a closing key is provided on the inner side of the second end of the main connecting rod, and a closing groove is provided on one side of the closing key; the first auxiliary connecting rod has a storage cavity, and an elastic buffer structure is embedded in the storage cavity. The elastic buffer structure includes a compression spring and a pressure wheel that abuts against one end of the compression spring. The pressure wheel abuts against the closing key and can slide into the closing groove while the connecting rod is rotating.

[0010] Preferably, the second end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is provided with a first hinge hole, and the first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the main connecting rod through the first hinge hole via a pivot shaft, and the closing key is sleeved on the pivot shaft; the first end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is bent inward to form a bent portion, and the bent portion is provided with a second hinge hole, and the first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the cabinet door support through the second hinge hole via a pivot shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic buffer structure further includes an adjusting block and an adjusting screw. The adjusting block is pressed against the end of the compression spring away from the pressure wheel. The adjusting screw is fixed to the adjusting block and can be rotated to adjust the compression amount of the compression spring. The first auxiliary connecting rod has an adjusting plate horizontally positioned near the bend. The adjusting plate has a threaded hole, and the adjusting screw passes through the threaded hole.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting rods are hinged to each other, and to the cabinet support and the cabinet door support, with wear-resistant copper gaskets fitted at both ends of the pivot shaft.

[0013] Preferably, both the cabinet support and the cabinet door support are made of alloy steel plate by stamping, wherein at least the cabinet support is provided with a waist-shaped mounting hole.

[0014] As a second aspect, a refrigerator is also provided, including a cabinet, a door, and the aforementioned refrigerator hinge connecting the cabinet and the door.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows:

[0016] The refrigerator hinge of this invention uses multiple connecting rods to form a connecting rod assembly, which disperses stress, prevents component deformation, and achieves high-strength load-bearing capacity and stable rotation.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of a refrigerator hinge.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the refrigerator hinge.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second connecting rod.

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the refrigerator with its hinges open.

[0023] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the refrigerator with the hinges open.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator hinge in the closed state.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator with the hinges closed. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this specification means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, nor does it exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein can include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0028] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0029] This utility model discloses a refrigerator hinge, which relates to the field of refrigerator accessories technology, and aims to solve the problems of insufficient load-bearing capacity and weakened closing force after installation of existing heavy-duty refrigerator hinges.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in conjunction with Figure 1-7 A refrigerator hinge 100 includes a cabinet support 1, a door support 2, and a connecting rod assembly connecting the two. The cabinet support 1 and the door support 2 are respectively used to fix to the refrigerator cabinet and door. The connecting rod assembly includes a main connecting rod 3, a first auxiliary connecting rod 4, a second auxiliary connecting rod 5, and a third auxiliary connecting rod 6, each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the main connecting rod 3 and the third auxiliary connecting rod 6 are hinged to the cabinet support 1. The first ends of the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 and the second auxiliary connecting rod 5 are hinged to the door support 2. The second end of the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 is hinged to the second end of the main connecting rod 3. The second end of the second auxiliary connecting rod 5 is hinged to the middle part of the main connecting rod 3. The second end of the third auxiliary connecting rod 6 is hinged to the second auxiliary connecting rod 5.

[0031] Preferably, the two opposite sides of the cabinet support 1 form a right-angled triangle. The main connecting rod 3 is connected to the inner side of the cabinet support 1 near the corner and can fit with one right-angled side of the cabinet support 1 when the hinge 100 is closed. The other right-angled side of the cabinet support 1 extends outward to form a hinge seat. The end of the third auxiliary connecting rod 6 is hinged to the hinge seat.

[0032] Preferably, the cabinet support 1 has a built-in linear damper 7. The linear damper 7 includes a hydraulic cylinder and a buffer seat 71 connected to the hydraulic cylinder and slidable along the center line of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder extends from the corner of the cabinet support 1 to the hinge position of the third connecting rod 6. The third connecting rod 6 is configured to push the buffer seat 71 to squeeze the hydraulic cylinder during the closing of the hinge 100, thereby achieving a buffering effect and avoiding hard contact between the connecting rod and the support when the cabinet door is closed, thus avoiding strong collision between the cabinet door and the cabinet body.

[0033] Preferably, the buffer seat 71 has a pressure-resistant inclined surface on the side opposite to the hydraulic cylinder, and the third connecting rod 6 has a triggering arc surface on the side corresponding to the buffer seat 71. The triggering arc surface acts on the pressure-resistant inclined surface during the closing of the hinge 100.

[0034] Preferably, a closing key 9 is provided on the inner side of the second end of the main connecting rod 3, and a closing groove is provided on one side of the closing key 9; the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 has a storage cavity, and an elastic buffer structure is embedded in the storage cavity. The elastic buffer structure includes a compression spring 81 and a pressure wheel 82 that abuts against one end of the compression spring 81. The pressure wheel 82 abuts against the closing key 9 and can slide into the closing groove when the connecting rod rotates (when the hinge is closed), so as to provide the refrigerator hinge with self-closing capability.

[0035] Preferably, the second end of the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 is provided with a first hinge hole 41, and the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 is hinged to the main connecting rod 3 through the first hinge hole via a pivot shaft, and the closing key 9 is sleeved on the pivot shaft; the first end of the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 is bent inward to form a bent portion, and the bent portion is provided with a second hinge hole 42, and the first auxiliary connecting rod 4 is hinged to the cabinet door support 2 through the second hinge hole via a pivot shaft.

[0036] Preferably, the elastic buffer structure further includes an adjusting block 83 and an adjusting screw 84. The adjusting block 83 abuts against the end of the compression spring 81 away from the pressure wheel 82. The adjusting screw 84 is fixed to the adjusting block 83 and can be rotated to adjust the compression amount of the compression spring 81. The first auxiliary connecting rod 4 has an adjusting plate 43 horizontally positioned near the bend. The adjusting plate has a threaded hole 431, and the adjusting screw 84 passes through the threaded hole 431. When the closing force needs to be adjusted, the adjusting screw 84 is rotated, thereby changing the position of the adjusting block 83, which causes a change in the compression amount of the compression spring 81, thereby changing the elastic force of the compression spring 81 and adjusting the magnitude of the closing force.

[0037] Preferably, each connecting rod is hinged to the other connecting rods, and to the cabinet support 1 and the cabinet door support 2 via a pivot shaft. Both ends of the pivot shaft are fitted with wear-resistant copper washers. The wear-resistant copper washers are placed between the connecting rods and the cabinet support 1, the cabinet door support 2, or between the connecting rods themselves, in order to reduce the coefficient of friction when the connecting rods rotate relative to other connecting rods or relative to the supports, improve wear resistance, and extend the service life of the hinge 100.

[0038] Preferably, both the cabinet support 1 and the cabinet door support 2 are made of alloy steel plate by stamping to improve structural strength and to disperse stress through bending. At least the cabinet support 1 is provided with a waist-shaped mounting hole to facilitate initial position adjustment during installation.

[0039] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When hinge 100 is closed, the third connecting rod 6 pushes the buffer seat 71, thereby compressing the hydraulic cylinder stroke to achieve a buffering effect; the pressure wheel 82 presses the closing key 9 and slides into the closing groove of the closing key 9, thereby achieving the closing effect. When the closing force needs to be adjusted, the adjusting screw 84 is rotated, thereby changing the position of the adjusting block 83, causing a change in the compression amount of the compression spring 81, thereby changing the elastic force of the compression spring 81 and achieving the adjustment of the closing force.

[0040] This utility model features a robust structure with a load-bearing capacity of 75kg, convenient installation, and is suitable for connecting cabinet doors in large-capacity, heavy-duty refrigerators, extending the refrigerator's lifespan. During installation, after the cabinet support 1 is fixed to the cabinet body, a connecting rod assembly is connected via a pivot shaft. The connecting rod assembly consists of multiple connecting rods, which are connected to the cabinet support 1, the cabinet door support 2, and to each other via the pivot shaft. This connection disperses stress, and the spring-loaded closing key 9 provides closing force, ensuring a tight door closure. When the cabinet door opens and closes, the pivot shaft works with a wear-resistant copper washer to reduce wear, and the bending structure disperses stress, preventing component deformation and achieving high-strength load-bearing capacity and stable rotation.

[0041] As a second aspect, a refrigerator is also provided, including a cabinet, a door, and the aforementioned refrigerator hinge 100 connecting the cabinet and the door. The refrigerator has a good door closing effect, which can improve cooling efficiency and extend the service life of the refrigerator.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the steps, measures, and solutions in the various operations, methods, and processes discussed in this application can be alternated, modified, combined, or deleted. Furthermore, other steps, measures, and solutions in the various operations, methods, and processes discussed in this application can also be alternated, modified, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted. Furthermore, steps, measures, and solutions in the prior art that are similar to those disclosed in this application can also be alternated, modified, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted.

[0043] The above description is only a partial embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator hinge, comprising a cabinet support, a door support, and a connecting rod assembly connecting the two, wherein the cabinet support and the door support are respectively used to fix to the refrigerator cabinet and the door, characterized in that: The linkage assembly includes a main linkage, a first auxiliary linkage, a second auxiliary linkage, and a third auxiliary linkage, each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the main linkage and the third auxiliary linkage are hinged to the cabinet support. The first ends of the first auxiliary linkage and the second auxiliary linkage are hinged to the cabinet door support. The second end of the first auxiliary linkage is hinged to the second end of the main linkage. The second end of the second auxiliary linkage is hinged to the middle part of the main linkage. The second end of the third auxiliary linkage is hinged to the second auxiliary linkage.

2. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two opposite sides of the cabinet support are right-angled triangles. The main connecting rod is connected to the inner side of the cabinet support near the corner and can fit with one right-angled side of the cabinet support when the hinge is closed. The other right-angled side of the cabinet support extends outward to form a hinge seat. The end of the third auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the hinge seat.

3. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cabinet support has a built-in linear damper, which includes a hydraulic cylinder and a buffer seat connected to the hydraulic cylinder and slidable along the center line of the hydraulic cylinder. The third connecting rod is configured to push the buffer seat to squeeze the hydraulic cylinder during the hinge closing process.

4. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The buffer seat has a pressure-resistant inclined surface on the side opposite to the hydraulic cylinder, and the third connecting rod has a triggering arc surface on the side corresponding to the buffer seat. The triggering arc surface acts on the pressure-resistant inclined surface during the hinge closing process.

5. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: A closing key is provided on the inner side of the second end of the main connecting rod, and a closing groove is provided on one side of the closing key; The first connecting rod has a storage cavity, in which an elastic buffer structure is embedded. The elastic buffer structure includes a compression spring and a pressure wheel that abuts against one end of the compression spring. The pressure wheel abuts against the closing key and can slide into the closing groove when the connecting rod rotates.

6. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is provided with a first hinge hole. The first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the main connecting rod through the first hinge hole via a pivot shaft. The closing key is sleeved on the pivot shaft. The first end of the first auxiliary connecting rod is bent inward to form a bent portion, and the bent portion has a second hinge hole. The first auxiliary connecting rod is hinged to the cabinet door support through the second hinge hole via a pivot shaft.

7. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The elastic buffer structure also includes an adjusting block and an adjusting screw. The adjusting block is pressed against the end of the compression spring away from the pressure wheel, and the adjusting screw is fixed to the adjusting block and can be rotated to adjust the compression amount of the compression spring. The first connecting rod has an adjusting plate horizontally positioned near the bend, and the adjusting plate has a threaded hole through which the adjusting screw passes.

8. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting rods are hinged to each other, and to the cabinet support and cabinet door support, with wear-resistant copper gaskets fitted at both ends of the pivot shaft.

9. The refrigerator hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the cabinet support and the cabinet door support are made of alloy steel plate by stamping, and at least the cabinet support is provided with waist-shaped mounting holes.

10. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet, a door, and a refrigerator hinge connecting the cabinet and the door, characterized in that: The refrigerator hinge is the refrigerator hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images