Multi-link hinge

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-link hinge provided with a bottom lever, a top lever, and multiple links for connecting the bottom lever and the top lever, the multi-link hinge including: a spring unit installed on one of the multiple links and provided with a spring for providing an elastic force so that the multi-link hinge operates in an open direction or a closing direction thereof; a roller unit coupled to the spring unit, linearly movable with respect to the spring unit while being elastically supported by the spring, and provided with a roller; and a cam unit which is installed on one of the multiple links and interacts with the roller under the action of the spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-link hinge, and more specifically, to a multi-link hinge including a protection plate which covers space between a plurality of links and an internal component and an adjustment unit which adjusts an extent of elastic support to improve consumer stability and operability.[Background Art]

[0002] In general, doors, which rotate about hinge shafts to be opened or closed, are widely used as doors of kitchen furniture including electronic appliances, and with the recent improvement in cultural standards due to the socioeconomic development, doors with improved convenience, aesthetic sense, reliability, and the like are being used.

[0003] In particular, multi-link hinges used in built-in type drawers and home appliances are conveniently used because doors are opened smoothly and maximally rotated in a state in which the doors are not interfered with other adjacent products with luggage when the doors are opened. In addition, since the multi-link hinges have advantages of improved close contact and beautiful appearance, the use of the multi-link hinges is gradually increasing.

[0004] That is, a multi-link hinge is a product having a structure in which sheet metal parts including a plurality of joints are coupled and is applied to doors of home appliances and the like to maximize the space utilization of doors and improve aesthetic sensibility of home appliances.

[0005] However, such a multi-link hinge has a relatively long plurality of links in order to extend to a desired distance. Due to such necessity, gaps having different sizes according to an open position of the hinge are formed between the plurality of links, and the gaps may be expanded or reduced when the door operates. In this case, when the fingers of a user are inserted into the gaps, there is a risk that the user may be injured.Related Art

[0006] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1490160 (January 30, 2015)[Technical Problem]

[0007] The present invention is directed to solving the above-described existing problems and providing a multi-link hinge including a protection plate which covers space between a plurality of links and an internal component and an adjustment unit which adjusts an extent of elastic support to improve consumer stability and operability.[Technical Solution]

[0008] In order to achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the present invention provides a multi-link hinge including a bottom lever, a top lever, and a plurality of links disposed between and connected to the bottom lever and the top lever, the multi-link hinge including a spring unit installed on one of the plurality of links and including a spring which provides an elastic force to operate the multi-link hinge in an opening direction or closing direction, a roller unit which is coupled to the spring unit, elastically supported on the spring, linearly movable with respect to the spring unit, and includes a roller, and a cam unit which is installed on one of the plurality of links and interacts with the roller according to an action of the spring.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-link hinge may further include an adjustment unit which includes an adjustment screw and interacts with the cam unit to move the cam unit toward the roller unit or away from the roller unit when the adjustment screw is tightened or loosened.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment unit may be installed on another link which is different from a link on which the roller unit is installed.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-link hinge may include the bottom lever installed on a main body of a product provided with a door and including a first joint part and a second joint part formed apart from each other, the top lever installed on the door which opens or closes a front surface of the main body and including a third joint part and a fourth j oint part formed apart from each other, a first link of which one side end is pivot-connected to the first joint part and which includes a fifth joint part and a sixth joint part formed apart from each other, a second link pivot-connected to the third joint part and the sixth joint part and including a seventh joint part, a third link pivot-connected to the fourth joint part and the fifth joint part, and a fourth link pivot-connected to the second joint part and the seventh joint part.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-link hinge may include a protection plate which at least partially covers spaces between the plurality of links having relative positions according to opening or closing of the multi-link hinge.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-link hinge may include a first plate rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a first shaft and a second plate rotatably coupled to another one of the plurality of links through a second shaft and rotatably coupled to the first plate through a third shaft.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first plate and the second plate may be disposed to form a mutually overlapping region.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a region in which the first plate and the second plate overlap in a closed state of the multi-link hinge may be greater than a region in which the first plate and the second plate overlap in an open state of the multi-link hinge.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protection plate may include a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including a first outer guide part and a second outer guide part, a first guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the first outer guide part when the plate body rotates, and a second guide pin which is fixed to still another one of the plurality of links and guides the second outer guide part when the plate body rotates.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, an outer groove part recessed toward an inner side of the plate body may be formed between the first outer guide part and the second outer guide part, and the first guide pin may be seated in the outer groove part at a closed position of the plate body.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protection plate may further include an elastic member which is coupled to the rotary shaft of the plate body and assists a force in the opening direction or closing direction when the plate body operates.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the first guide pin and the second guide pin may include a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protection plate may include a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including an outer guide part and a rib formed to protrude downward along the outer guide part, a guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part and one side surface of the rib when the plate body rotates, and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the guide pin from under the plate body and including a protrusion formed to protrude upward, wherein the protrusion guides the other side surface of the rib.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, an outer groove part recessed toward an inner side of the plate body may be formed at one side of the outer guide part, and the guide pin may be seated in the outer groove part at a closed position of the plate body.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide pin may include a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protection plate may include a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including an outer guide part and a protrusion formed to protrude downward and a guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part when the plate body rotates, wherein the protrusion may be in contact with an outer edge of still another one of the plurality of links and may be guided.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the guide pin and the protrusion may include a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.[Advantageous Effects]

[0025] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, as a protection plate, which covers space between a plurality of links and an internal component, is provided, a multi-link hinge with improved consumer stability and ease of assembly can be provided.

[0026] In addition, an extent of elastic support by a spring unit can be adjusted when a multi-link hinge is opened or closed using an adjustment screw of an adjustment unit.

[0027] Effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and should be understood to include all effects which may be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or configuration of the present invention described in the claims.[Description of Drawings]

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge in a closed state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge in the closed state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the multi-link hinge in an open state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge in the open state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the multi-link hinge in a state in which a protection plate is separated according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating a state in which an adjustment screw of an adjustment unit is loosened and a state in which the adjustment screw of the adjustment unit is tightened according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a plate body according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in an open state. FIG. 16 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a plate body according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes of the Invention]

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in several different forms and are not limited to embodiments described herein. In addition, parts irrelevant to description are omitted in the drawings in order to clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention. Similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals throughout this specification.

[0030] Throughout this specification, when a first part is referred to as being "connected" to a second part, it includes being "directly connected" to the second part and "indirectly connected" to the second part with a third part disposed therebetween. Also, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, this does not exclude other components unless explicitly described otherwise, and other components may be further included.

[0031] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge in a closed state according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge in the closed state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the multi-link hinge in an open state according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge in the open state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the multi-link hinge in a state in which a protection plate is separated according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating a state in which an adjustment screw of an adjustment unit is loosened and a state in which the adjustment screw of the adjustment unit is tightened according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a multi-link hinge 1000 of the present invention includes a bottom lever 100, a top lever 200, a first link 300, a second link 400, a third link 500, and a fourth link 600.

[0034] That is, the multi-link hinge 1000 is provided as a structure in which a plurality of levers 100 and 200 are connected to a plurality of links 300, 400, 500, and 600. The multi-link hinge 1000 may be applied to products such as home appliances, furniture, and the like in built-in types including doors.

[0035] The plurality of levers 100 and 200 and the plurality of links 300, 400, 500, and 600 are rotatably coupled to each other such that the door of the product easily moves from an open position to a closed position or moves from the closed position to the open position even in a small space.

[0036] The bottom lever 100 is installed on a main body of the product provided with the door and includes a first joint part 10 and a second joint part 11 formed apart from each other.

[0037] The top lever 200 is installed on the door which opens or closes a front surface of the main body and includes a third joint part 12 and a fourth joint part 13 formed apart from each other.

[0038] One side end of the first link 300 is pivot-connected to the first joint part 10, and the first link 300 includes a fifth joint part 14 formed in the other side end and a sixth joint part 15 formed thereinside.

[0039] The second link 400 is pivot-connected to the third joint part 12 and the fifth joint part 15 and includes a seventh joint part 16 formed thereinside.

[0040] The third link 500 is pivot-connected to the fourth joint part 13 and the fifth joint part 14.

[0041] The fourth link 600 is pivot-connected to the second joint part 11 and the seventh joint part 16.

[0042] Meanwhile, the multi-link hinge 1000 includes a spring unit 20, a roller unit 30, and a cam unit 40.

[0043] The spring unit 20 is installed in one of the plurality of links and provides an elastic force to operate the multi-link hinge 1000 in an opening direction or closing direction.

[0044] Preferably, one end portion of the spring unit 20 is connected to the third link 500, and the spring unit 20 includes a spring 21 in a coil spring type. In this case, the spring 21 may be formed as a compression spring. However, the spring 21 may also be formed as a tension spring, or one or more springs 21 may also be used to form the spring unit 20.

[0045] The roller unit 30 is coupled to the other end portion of the spring unit 20 and elastically supported by the spring 21. That is, the roller unit 30 is formed to move a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction of the spring unit 20 while elastically supported by the spring 21.

[0046] A roller 31 which rotates while in contact with the cam unit 40 is installed on one end portion of the roller unit 30.

[0047] The cam unit 40 is connected to one of the plurality of links, preferably, the first link 300 through the fifth joint part 14, and interacts with the roller 31 according to an action of the spring 21.

[0048] That is, as the roller 31 of the roller unit 30 rotates while in contact with the cam unit 40, the spring 21 of the spring unit 20 is tensioned or relaxed.

[0049] In other words, the spring unit 20 interacts with the cam unit 40 while the roller unit 30 is elastically supported by the spring unit 20, and the roller 31 rotates on the cam unit 40 along an outer circumferential surface of the cam unit 40.

[0050] Meanwhile, the multi-link hinge 1000 further includes an adjustment unit 50.

[0051] The adjustment unit 50 is installed on one of the plurality of links, preferably, the first link 300 and interacts with the cam unit 40 while in contact therewith. That is, the adjustment unit 50 is installed on the link which is different from the link on which the roller unit 30 is installed.

[0052] The adjustment unit 50 includes an adjustment screw 51 and is provided to move in one direction or return to an original position according to operation of the adjustment screw 51.

[0053] According to one example, the adjustment unit 50 interacts with the cam unit 40 to move the cam unit 40 toward the roller unit 30 when the adjustment screw 51 is tightened and interacts with the cam unit 40 to move the cam unit 40 away from the roller unit 30 when the adjustment screw 51 is loosened.

[0054] In this case, a surface of the adjustment unit 50 in contact with the cam unit 40 is formed as an inclined surface 52. That is, when the adjustment screw 51 is tightened, the adjustment unit 50 moves toward the cam unit 40, and the cam unit 40 moves upward along the inclined surface 52 to move in a direction to be closed to the roller unit 30. In addition, when the adjustment screw 51 is loosened, the adjustment unit 50 moves in a direction away from the cam unit 40, and the cam unit 40 moves downward along the inclined surface 52 to move in a direction away from the roller unit 30.

[0055] According to another example, the adjustment unit 50 interacts with the cam unit 40 to move the cam unit 40 toward the roller unit 30 when the adjustment screw 51 is loosened, and interacts with the cam unit 40 to move the cam unit 40 away from the roller unit 30 when the adjustment screw 51 is tightened.

[0056] In this case, the surface of the adjustment unit 50 in contact with the cam unit 40 is formed as the inclined surface 52. That is, when the adjustment screw 51 is loosened, the adjustment unit 50 moves toward the cam unit 40, and the cam unit 40 moves upward along the inclined surface 52 to move in the direction close to the roller unit 30. In addition, when the adjustment screw 51 is tightened, the adjustment unit 50 moves in the direction away from the cam unit 40, and the cam unit 40 moves downward along the inclined surface 52 in the direction away from the roller unit 30.

[0057] A guide hole 41 is formed in the cam unit 40, and the fifth joint part 14 is guided by the guide hole 41 as the cam unit 40 moves.

[0058] As described above, when the multi-link hinge 1000 is opened or closed, the adjustment screw 51 of the adjustment unit 50 may adjust an extent of elastic support by the spring unit 20.

[0059] Meanwhile, the multi-link hinge 1000 further includes a protection plate 700 installed on at least one of both side surfaces thereof.

[0060] The protection plate 700 at least partially covers spaces between the plurality of links 300, 400, 500, and 600 and internal components 20, 30, 40, and 50 which have relative positions according to opening or closing of the door.

[0061] Gaps may be formed between the plurality of links 300, 400, 500, and 600 according to opening or closing of the door, and the protection plate 700 may prevent a risk, in which the fingers of a user are inserted into the gaps and injured, by covering the gaps.

[0062] Meanwhile, the protection plate 700 includes a first plate 710 and a second plate 720.

[0063] More specifically, the protection plate 700 is formed to include the first plate 710 rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a first shaft 17 and the second plate 720 rotatably coupled to another one of the plurality of links through a second shaft 18 and rotatably coupled to the first plate 710 through a third shaft 19.

[0064] That is, the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 are rotatably connected to each other and cover the space between plurality of links while relatively moving according to opening or closing operation of the multi-link hinge 1000.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the first plate 710 may be connected to the top lever 200 through the first shaft 17, and the second plate 720 may be connected to the bottom lever 100 through the second shaft 18. In addition, the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 may be connected to each other through the third shaft 19.

[0066] The third shaft 19 may include an insertion protruding part 19a formed on the first plate 710 and a coupling hole 19b formed in the second plate 720. That is, as the insertion protruding part 19a of the first plate 710 is inserted into and coupled to the coupling hole 19b of the second plate 720, the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 may be simply coupled to each other by the third shaft 19.

[0067] Meanwhile, the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 are disposed to form a mutually overlapping region.

[0068] In this case, a region in which the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 overlap in a closed state of the multi-link hinge 1000 may be greater than a region in which the first plate 710 and the second plate 720 overlap in an open state of the multi-link hinge 1000.

[0069] As described above, in the present invention, as the protection plate 700 including the first plate 710 and the second plate 720, which cover the spaces between the plurality of links and the internal components, are provided, the multi-link hinge 1000 with improved consumer stability and ease of assembly can be provided.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a protection plate 900 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a plate body 810, a first guide pin 820, and a second guide pin 830.

[0072] More specifically, the protection plate 800 is formed to include the plate body 810 rotatably coupled to one of a plurality of links through a rotary shaft 812 and including a first outer guide part 813 and a second outer guide part 814, the first guide pin 820 which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the first outer guide part 813 when the plate body 810 rotates, and the second guide pin 830 which is fixed to still another one of the plurality of links and guides the second outer guide part 814 when the plate body 810 rotates.

[0073] That is, when the plate body 810 rotates about the rotary shaft 812 while covering spaces between the plurality of links according to opening or closing operation of the multi-link hinge 1000, the first guide pin 820 and the second guide pin 830, which are fixed to the different links, guide the first outer guide part 813 and the second outer guide part 814 of the plate body 810, respectively, to stably rotate the plate body 810.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first guide pin 820 may be fixed to a top lever 200, and the second guide pin 830 may be fixed to a bottom lever 100. In addition, a through hole 811 may be formed in the plate body 810, and the rotary shaft 812 may be rotatably coupled to a second link 400 through the through hole 811. The through hole 811 and the rotary shaft 812 may be located in a central portion of the plate body 810.

[0075] The first outer guide part 813 may be an outer edge region of the plate body 810 in contact with the first guide pin 820 according to rotating operation of the plate body 810, and the second outer guide part 814 may be an outer edge region of the plate body 810 in contact with the second guide pin 830 according to the rotating operation of the plate body 810.

[0076] Accordingly, each of the first outer guide part 813 and the second outer guide part 814 may include at least a part of a curved potion that is substantially convex outward.

[0077] According to one example, one or more of the first guide pin 820 and the second guide pin 830 may include head parts 821 and 831 which restrict upward movement of the plate body 810. That is, the head part 821 of the first guide pin 820 and the head part 831 of the second guide pin 830 may restrict the upward movement of the plate body 810 to prevent the plate body 810 from moving away from the plurality of links.

[0078] According to one embodiment, an outer groove part 815 recessed toward an inner side of the plate body 810 may be formed between the first outer guide part 813 and the second outer guide part 814, and the first guide pin 820 may be seated in the outer groove part 815 at a closed position of the plate body 810. The outer groove part 815 may be formed such that a groove gap decreases toward the inner side of the plate body 810.

[0079] Meanwhile, the protection plate 800 may further include an elastic member 840 which is coupled to the rotary shaft 812 of the plate body 810 and assists a force in an opening direction or closing direction when the plate body 810 rotates.

[0080] According to one example, the elastic member 840 may be a torsion spring and may be coupled to the rotary shaft 812 from under the plate body 810.

[0081] The elastic member 840 in a pretensioned state may be coupled to the rotary shaft 812 to more easily assist a force of a user when the multi-link hinge 800 is opened or closed by the user.

[0082] As described above, as the protection plate 800 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the plate body 810 which covers the spaces between the plurality of links and the internal components, the first guide pin 820 and the second guide pin 830 which guide the plate body 810, and the elastic member 840 which assists opening or closing operation in the pretensioned state, consumer stability and ease of operation and assembly can be improved.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a plate body according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, a protection plate 900 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a plate body 910, a guide pin 920, and a rotating member 930.

[0085] More specifically, the protection plate 900 includes the plate body 910 which is rotatably coupled to one of a plurality of links through a rotary shaft 912 and includes an outer guide part 913 and a rib 915 formed to protrude downward along the outer guide part 913, the guide pin 920 which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part 913 and one side surface of the rib 915 when the plate body 910 rotates, and a rotating member 930 which is rotatably coupled to the guide pin 920 from under the plate body 910 and includes a protrusion 931 formed to protrude upward, and the protrusion 931 guides the other side surface of the rib 915.

[0086] That is, when the plate body 910 rotates about the rotary shaft 912 while covering spaces between the plurality of links according to opening or closing operation of a multi-link hinge 1000, the guide pin 920 and the protrusion 931 of the rotating member 930 guide both sides of the rib 915 of the plate body 910, respectively, to stably rotate the plate body 910.

[0087] That is, the rotating member 930 rotates along one side surface of the rib 915 through the protrusion 931 to prevent the rib 915 from moving away from the guide pin 920.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the guide pin 920 and the rotating member 930 may be fixed to a top lever 200. In addition, a through hole 911 may be formed in the plate body 910, and the rotary shaft 912 may be rotatably coupled to a bottom lever 100 through the through hole 911. The through hole 911 and the rotary shaft 912 may be located to be biased to one side portion of the plate body 910.

[0089] The outer guide part 913 may be an outer edge region of the plate body 910 in contact with the guide pin 920 according to rotating operation of the plate body 910.

[0090] Accordingly, the outer guide part 913 may include at least a part of a curved portion that is substantially convex outward.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the guide pin 920 may include a head part 921 which restricts upward movement of the plate body 910. That is, the head part 921 of the guide pin 920 may restrict the upward movement of the plate body 910 to prevent the plate body 910 from moving away from the plurality of links.

[0092] According to one example, an outer groove part 914 recessed toward an inner side of the plate body 910 may be formed at one side of the outer guide part 913, and the guide pin 920 may be seated in the outer groove part 914 at a closed position of the plate body 910. The outer groove part 914 may be formed such that a groove gap decreases toward the inner side of the plate body 910.

[0093] As described above, as the protection plate 900 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the plate body 910 which covers spaces between the plurality of links and internal components, the guide pin 920 which guides one side of the plate body 910, and the rotating member 930 which guides the other side of the plate body 910, consumer stability and ease of operation and assembly can be improved.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating a multi-link hinge including a protection plate according to a modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in a closed state, and FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in an open state. FIG. 16 is an exploded view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a plate body according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the multi-link hinge including the protection plate according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 18, a protection plate 900' according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention includes a plate body 910' and a guide pin 920'.

[0096] More specifically, the protection plate 900' includes the plate body 910' which is rotatably coupled to one of a plurality of links through a rotary shaft 912' and includes an outer guide part 913' and a protrusion 915' formed to protrude downward and the guide pin 920' which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part 913' when the plate body 910' rotates, and the protrusion 915' is provided to be in contact with an outer edge of still another one of the plurality of links and be guided.

[0097] That is, when the plate body 910' rotates about the rotary shaft 912' while covering spaces between the plurality of links according to opening or closing operation of the multi-link hinge 1000, the guide pin 920' guides the outer guide part 913' of the plate body 910', an outer edge of one of the plurality of links guides the protrusion 915' of the plate body 910' to stably rotate the plate body 910'.

[0098] According to one example, the guide pin 920' may be fixed to a top lever 200. In addition, a through hole 911' may be formed in the plate body 910', and the rotary shaft 912' may be rotatably coupled to a bottom lever 100 through the through hole 911'. The through hole 911' and the rotary shaft 912' may be located to be biased to one side portion of the plate body 910'.

[0099] According to one example, the protrusion 915' formed to protrude downward from the plate body 910' may be in contact with an outer edge 310 of a first link 300 of the plurality of links and may be guided when the plate body 910' rotates.

[0100] The outer guide part 913' may be an outer edge region of the plate body 910' in contact with the guide pin 920' according to rotating operation of the plate body 910'.

[0101] Accordingly, the outer guide part 913' may include at least a part of a curved portion that is substantially convex outward.

[0102] According to one example, the guide pin 920' may include a head part 921' which restricts upward movement of the plate body 910'. That is, the head part 921' of the guide pin 920' may restrict the upward movement of the plate body 910' to prevent the plate body 910' from moving away from the plurality of links. In addition, the protrusion 915' formed to protrude downward from the plate body 910' may include a head part 915a' which is engaged with one of the plurality of links, preferably, the first link 300 to restrict the upward movement of the plate body 910'.

[0103] That is, both the head part 921' of the guide pin 920' and the head part 915a' of the protrusion 915' are provided to prevent the plate body 910' from moving away from the plurality of links when the plate body 910' rotates.

[0104] According to one example, an outer groove part 914' recessed toward an inner side of the plate body 910' may be formed at one side of the outer guide part 913', and the guide pin 920' may be seated in the outer groove part 914' at a closed position of the plate body 910'. The outer groove part 914' may be formed such that a groove gap decreases toward the inner side of the plate body 910'.

[0105] As described above, as the protection plate 900' according to the modified embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention includes the plate body 910' which covers spaces between the plurality of links and internal components and includes the outer guide part 913' and the protrusion 915' protruding downward and the guide pin 920' which guides the outer guide part 913' of the plate body 910', and the protrusion 915' is provided to be guided along an outer edge of one of the plurality of links, consumer stability and ease of operation and assembly can be improved.

[0106] The above description of the present invention is only for exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention may be easily modified in other concrete forms without changing the technical spirit and essential features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered as only examples in all aspects and not for purposes of limitation. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components that are described as being distributed may be implemented in a coupled manner.

[0107] The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and should be interpreted to encompass all modifications or alterations derived from meanings, the scope, and equivalents of the appended claims.Reference Numerals

[0108] 1000: MULTI-LINK HINGE 100: BOTTOM LEVER 200: TOP LEVER 300: FIRST LINK 310: OUTER EDGE 400: SECOND LINK 500: THIRD LINK 600: FOURTH LINK 700: PROTECTION PLATE 710: FIRST PLATE 720: SECOND PLATE 800: PROTECTION PLATE 810: PLATE BODY 820: FIRST GUIDE PIN 830: SECOND GUIDE PIN 840: ELASTIC MEMBER 900: PROTECTION PLATE 910: PLATE BODY 920: GUIDE PIN 930: ROTATING MEMBER 900': PROTECTION PLATE 910': PLATE BODY 920': GUIDE PIN 10: FIRST JOINT PART 11: SECOND JOINT PART 12: THIRD JOINT PART 13: FOURTH JOINT PART 14: FIFTH JOINT PART 15: SIXTH JOINT PART 16: SEVENTH JOINT PART 17: FIRST SHAFT 18: SECOND SHAFT 19: THIRD SHAFT 20: SPRING UNIT 21: SPRING 30: ROLLER UNIT 31: ROLLER 40: CAM UNIT 41: GUIDE HOLE 50: ADJUSTMENT UNIT 51: ADJUSTMENT SCREW 52: INCLINED SURFACE

Claims

1. A multi-link hinge including a bottom lever, a top lever, and a plurality of links disposed between and connected to the bottom lever and the top lever, the multi-link hinge comprising: a spring unit installed on one of the plurality of links and including a spring which provides an elastic force to operate the multi-link hinge in an opening direction or closing direction; a roller unit which is coupled to the spring unit, is elastically supported by the spring, linearly moves with respect to the spring unit, and includes a roller; and a cam unit which is installed on one of the plurality of links and interacts with the roller according to an action of the spring.

2. The multi-link hinge of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment unit which includes an adjustment screw and interacts with the cam unit to move the cam unit toward the roller unit or away from the roller unit when the adjustment screw is tightened or loosened.

3. The multi-link hinge of claim 2, wherein the adjustment unit is installed on another link which is different from a link on which the roller unit is installed.

4. The multi-link hinge of claim 1, comprising: the bottom lever installed on a main body of a product provided with a door and including a first joint part and a second joint part formed apart from each other; the top lever installed on the door which opens or closes a front surface of the main body and including a third joint part and a fourth joint part formed apart from each other; a first link of which one side end is pivot-connected to the first joint part and which includes a fifth joint part and a sixth joint part formed apart from each other; a second link pivot-connected to the third joint part and the sixth joint part and including a seventh joint part; a third link pivot-connected to the fourth joint part and the fifth joint part; and a fourth link pivot-connected to the second joint part and the seventh joint part.

5. The multi-link hinge of claim 1, comprising a protection plate which at least partially covers spaces between the plurality of links having relative positions according to opening or closing of the multi-link hinge.

6. The multi-link hinge of claim 5, wherein the protection plate includes: a first plate rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a first shaft; and a second plate rotatably coupled to another one of the plurality of links through a second shaft and rotatably coupled to the first plate through a third shaft.

7. The multi-link hinge of claim 6, wherein the first plate and the second plate are disposed to form a mutually overlapping region.

8. The multi-link hinge of claim 7, wherein a region in which the first plate and the second plate overlap in a closed state of the multi-link hinge is greater than a region in which the first plate and the second plate overlap in an open state of the multi-link hinge.

9. The multi-link hinge of claim 5, wherein the protection plate includes: a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including a first outer guide part and a second outer guide part; a first guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the first outer guide part when the plate body rotates; and a second guide pin which is fixed to still another one of the plurality of links and guides the second outer guide part when the plate body rotates.

10. The multi-link hinge of claim 6, wherein: an outer groove part recessed toward an inner side of the plate body is formed between the first outer guide part and the second outer guide part; and the first guide pin is seated in the outer groove part at a closed position of the plate body.

11. The multi-link hinge of claim 6, wherein the protection plate further includes an elastic member which is coupled to the rotary shaft of the plate body and assists a force in the opening direction or closing direction when the plate body operates.

12. The multi-link hinge of claim 9, wherein one or more of the first guide pin and the second guide pin include a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.

13. The multi-link hinge of claim 5, wherein the protection plate includes: a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including an outer guide part and a rib formed to protrude downward along the outer guide part; a guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part and one side surface of the rib when the plate body rotates; and a rotating member rotatably coupled to the guide pin from under the plate body and including a protrusion formed to protrude upward, wherein the protrusion guides the other side surface of the rib.

14. The multi-link hinge of claim 13, wherein: an outer groove part recessed toward an inner side of the plate body is formed at one side of the outer guide part; and the guide pin is seated in the outer groove part at a closed position of the plate body.

15. The multi-link hinge of claim 13, wherein the guide pin includes a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.

16. The multi-link hinge of claim 5, wherein the protection plate includes: a plate body rotatably coupled to one of the plurality of links through a rotary shaft and including an outer guide part and a protrusion formed to protrude downward; and a guide pin which is fixed to another one of the plurality of links and guides the outer guide part when the plate body rotates, wherein the protrusion is in contact with an outer edge of still another one of the plurality of links and is guided.

17. The multi-link hinge of claim 16, wherein one or more of the guide pin and the protrusion include a head part which restricts upward movement of the plate body.

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