Sliding connection device, door assembly and household appliance device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a sliding connection device, a door assembly and a household appliance device. The sliding connection device is configured to slidably connect a first door to a second door, and comprises a sliding connection assembly and a positioning workpiece, which is used for positioning the relative position between the sliding connection assembly and the second door, wherein a pre-positioning structure is provided between the positioning workpiece and the sliding connection assembly; and the positioning workpiece comprises an alignment part, which is configured to be aligned with a set position on the second door for positioning. The positioning workpiece and the second door are positioned by means of alignment, such that the structure is simple, and the positioning is quick.

Description

[0001] The present application is based on Chinese Patent Application No. 202421228502.5, filed on May 31, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202410697714.6, filed on May 31, 2024, and simultaneously claims the priority of the above two Chinese patent applications. The entire contents of the above two patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of household appliances, and particularly relates to a sliding connection device, a door assembly and a household appliance device.BACKGROUND

[0003] A connection between a door and a cabinet of an embedded household refrigerator could be achieved through folding hinges or shaft hinges. When the door was equipped with shaft hinges, a refrigerator door and a cupboard door panel needed to be configured for sliding connection, so that when the household refrigerator was installed into a cupboard, the refrigerator door and the cupboard door panel were allowed to rotate simultaneously relative to each other to open or close the cabinet.

[0004] A sliding connection assembly and a positioning fixture for assisting installation of the sliding connection assembly were generally provided between the refrigerator door and the cupboard door panel. The positioning fixture needed to ensure that the sliding connection assembly was precisely installed at predetermined positions of the refrigerator door and the cupboard door panel.

[0005] In the related art, a positioning fixture achieved positioning between the positioning fixture and a cupboard door panel through snap-fitting with a side surface of the cupboard door panel, thereby achieving positioning between a sliding connection assembly and the cupboard door panel. When the sliding connection assembly and the positioning fixture were simultaneously assembled and cooperated with the cupboard door panel, positioning still needed to be achieved through the above snap-fitting method, resulting in inconvenient operation.

[0006] In the related art, when a sliding connection assembly and a positioning fixture were assembled with a refrigerator door or a cupboard door panel, screws were often used for fixing. Generally, after a sliding member was positioned with the cupboard door panel at a predetermined position, the screws were then installed and tightened for fixing. As such, both the sliding member and the positioning fixture would have mounting holes reserved, but multiple mounting holes needed high alignment to ensure smooth assembly of the screws; or when tightening, an end of a screw shank of a screw could not be quickly positioned to an innermost mounting hole; if there were deviations among multiple communicating mounting holes, the subsequently installed screws would be displaced, thereby causing a position where the sliding member was fixed to the cupboard door panel to deviate from the predetermined position.

[0007] Any related art mentioned in the description does not constitute confirmation or suggestion that the related art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction, or that the related art can be reasonably expected to be understood, considered relevant and / or combined with other related art by those skilled in the art.SUMMARY

[0008] One of the objects of the present application is to provide a sliding connection device to solve a technical problem of inconvenient operation of a positioning method between a positioning fixture and a cupboard door panel in the related art.

[0009] To achieve one of the above objects, an embodiment of the present application provides a sliding connection device for slidingly connecting a first door to a second door, comprising a sliding connection assembly and a positioning member configured to position a relative position between the sliding connection assembly and the second door; a pre-positioning structure is provided between the positioning member and the sliding connection assembly, and the positioning member comprises an alignment portion configured to align and position with a predetermined position on the second door.

[0010] Compared with the related art, the beneficial effects of the present application are: positioning between the positioning member and the second door is achieved through alignment, which has a simple structure and enables quick positioning.

[0011] As used herein, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprises", "comprised", "comprising", "including", "containing", do not exclude other features, components, elements or steps unless the context clearly requires otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding connection device according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a sliding connection device according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a side view of a sliding connection device in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 is a top view of a sliding connection device in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a household appliance device according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the structure within the circle in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a top view of a household appliance device according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the structure within the circle in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view along the height direction of a household appliance device in a top view state according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the state where a sliding member and a positioning fixture are assembled and cooperated with a base after assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the state where the positioning fixture is removed after the sliding member is assembled into a second door according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the state where a sliding connection assembly and a first door and the second door are assembled according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sliding connection device according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sliding connection device according to yet another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present application, and structural, methodological, or functional variations made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on these embodiments are all included within the protection scope of the present application.

[0014] Terms indicating spatial relative positions used herein, such as "upper", "above", "lower", "below", are used for ease of description to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the drawings. Terms of spatial relative position may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the FIGs. For example, if the device in the FIGs is turned over, then units described as being "below" or "beneath" other units or features would be positioned "above" the other units or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both orientations of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0015] Please refer to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present application provides a sliding connection device 100. Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the present application provides a household appliance device 1000. The household appliance device 1000 comprises an embedded household appliance 200, such as a refrigerator, and a cupboard 300 for accommodating the embedded household appliance 200. The household appliance 200 comprises a first door 210 and a cabinet, and the first door 210 is configured to open or close the cabinet.

[0016] The cupboard 300 comprises a second door 310, the second door 310 covers the first door 210, the sliding connection device 100 is configured to slidingly connect the first door 210 to the second door 310. When the second door 310 is opened, the first door 210 can be driven to open, thereby opening the cabinet of the household appliance 200.

[0017] As shown in FIGs. 2-4, the sliding connection device 100 comprises a sliding connection assembly and a positioning member 30 configured to position a relative position between the sliding connection assembly and the second door 310. The positioning member 30 is configured to assist in positioning the sliding connection assembly to fix the sliding connection assembly at an optimal position of the second door 210. Generally, after positioning is completed, the positioning member 30 needs to be removed relative to a sliding member 10.

[0018] The sliding connection assembly comprises the sliding member 10 and a base 20 that are slidingly connected, and the positioning member 30. The sliding member 10 and the base 20 are provided between the first door 210 and the second door 310 to drive the first door 210 and the second door 310 to be slidingly connected. The sliding member 10, the base 20, and the positioning member 30 are separately formed.

[0019] In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the base 20 and the positioning member 30 may be integrally formed and connected through a separable portion. After positioning is completed, the positioning member 30 and the base 20 are separated by operating the separable portion, and the positioning member 30 is separated from the base 20 and removed from the sliding member 10. It can be understood that other structures of the base 20 and the positioning member 30 remain consistent.

[0020] The sliding connection device 100 further comprises a first fastener 40 configured to fix the sliding member 10 to the second door 310, and a second fastener 50 configured to fix the base 20 to the first door 210. As such, the sliding member 10 is relatively fixed to the second door 310, the base 20 is relatively fixed to the first door 210, and the sliding member 10 slides relative to the base 20, thereby driving the first door 210 to slide relative to the second door 310.

[0021] Specifically, the first fastener 40 and the second fastener 50 are both screws, and the first fastener 40 and the second fastener 50 both comprise a screw head and a screw shank. In specific embodiments, the size and detailed structures of the first fastener 40 and the second fastener 50 may differ, as long as the function of fixed connection through the screw shank can be achieved.

[0022] The sliding member 10 is a plate-shaped body, and the sliding member 10 comprises a mounting portion 11 and a cover portion 13. The mounting portion 11 is configured to be mounted and fixed to the second door 310. Therefore, the mounting portion 11 is provided with a first mounting hole 111 that cooperates with the first fastener 40. After installation is completed, for better aesthetics, the cover portion 13 is configured to cover the first fastener 40 and the first mounting hole 111.

[0023] The cover portion 13 and the mounting portion 11 have a connecting structure therebetween, and a connecting mechanism is configured such that: the cover portion 13 can rotate around the connecting structure to cover a partial surface of the mounting portion 11, and the connecting structure will not be broken; in other words, a thickness of the connecting structure gives the connecting structure certain connecting rigidity, but the connecting structure can also elastically deform to allow the cover portion 13 to cover the mounting portion 11.

[0024] In other embodiments, the cover portion 13 and the mounting portion 11 may be connected through a rotating shaft, so that the cover portion 13 can rotate to the surface of the mounting portion 11; alternatively, the cover portion 13 and the mounting portion 11 are connected through a separable structure. After the sliding member 10 is assembled, the separable structure is operated to separate the cover portion 13 from the mounting portion 11, and then the cover portion 13 is used to cover the partial surface of the mounting portion 11. Specifically, the separable structure may be a thin easily breakable structure or a detachable snap structure.

[0025] Two long edge sides of the mounting portion 11 are formed as sliding portions 12 for sliding within sliding grooves 220 of the base 20. One short edge side of the mounting portion 11 is connected with the cover portion 13. The surface of the mounting portion 11 is provided with a recessed groove 110 for accommodating the cover portion 13. It can be understood that the recessed groove 110 does not penetrate through the sliding member 10.

[0026] The first mounting hole 111 is further provided in the recessed groove 110. It can be understood that the first mounting hole 111 is provided to penetrate through the sliding member 10 so that the first fastener 40 can pass through for installation, and after the cover portion 13 cooperates with the recessed groove 110, the cover portion 13 precisely covers the first mounting hole 111 and the first fastener 40 therein.

[0027] The sliding member 10 further comprises a positioning structure 112 provided at the first mounting hole 111, and the positioning structure 112 is configured to pre-position the first fastener 40 in the first mounting hole 111. As such, the first fastener 40 can be pre-installed on the sliding member 10 without waiting for the sliding member 10 and the second door 310 to be assembled before installing the first fastener 40. Moreover, the first fastener 40 is pre-positioned on the sliding member 10, so the first fastener 40 is not easily lost and will not be confused with other fasteners of similar size and similar structure.

[0028] The positioning structure 112 comprises a positioning rib 113 that cooperates with the screw shank of the first fastener 40 for positioning, a minimum inner diameter of the positioning rib 113 is not greater than an outer diameter of the screw shank of the first fastener 40, and the positioning rib 113 is connected to an inner edge of the mounting hole 112. As such, the positioning rib 113 can catch the screw shank of the first fastener 40, thereby achieving pre-positioning. A shape of the positioning rib 113 can be adapted to the screw shank to form a circular shape, so that the inner edge of the positioning rib 113 completely matches an outer periphery of the screw shank, enhancing friction force and increasing a binding force between the two.

[0029] A clearance space is formed between the positioning rib 113 and the inner edge of the mounting hole 112 to provide space for elastic deformation of the positioning rib 113, facilitating installation of the first fastener 40. The positioning structure 112 comprises a connecting rib 114 connecting the positioning rib 113 and the inner edge of the mounting hole.

[0030] The positioning rib 113 is configured to pre-position the first fastener 40. When the first fastener 40 starts to be tightened and makes a spiral movement, if the positioning rib 113 is too hard, the tightening is laborious for operators, and the positioning rib 113 is prone to fracture; after providing the clearance space, the cooperation between the positioning rib 113 and the first fastener 40 is relatively easy, convenient for operators to install, and the positioning rib 113 is not prone to fracture, improving a service life of the sliding member 10.

[0031] The base 20 comprises a vertical third mounting plate 21 and a fourth mounting plate 22, the third mounting plate 21 cooperates with a first mounting plate 31 of the positioning member 30, the fourth mounting plate 22 is parallel to the sliding member 10, and the fourth mounting plate 22 is provided with the sliding grooves 220 for the sliding member 10 to slide.

[0032] The base 20 comprises a second mounting hole 211 for installing the second fastener 50 and a limiting structure that cooperates with the second fastener 50 to prevent the second fastener 50 from moving and falling off. The second mounting hole 211 and the limiting structure are provided on the third mounting plate 21. The second fastener 50 is usually pre-installed on the first door 210, and the base 20 cooperates with the second fastener 50 through the second mounting hole 211, thereby being installed on the first door 210.

[0033] The limiting structure comprises a locking hole 212 communicating with the second mounting hole 211, an inner diameter of the second mounting hole 211 is greater than the screw head of the second fastener 50, and an inner diameter of the locking hole 212 is adapted to the outer diameter of the screw shank of the second fastener 50.

[0034] During fixing, the base 20 first cooperates with the screw head of the second fastener 50 through clearance fit via the second mounting hole 211, so that the base 20 can be inserted between the second fastener 50 and the first door 210, then the base 20 is moved so that the screw shank of the second fastener 50 cooperates with the locking hole 212. The inner diameter of the locking hole 212 may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the screw shank of the second fastener 50, forming interference fit and limiting movement of the second fastener 50.

[0035] The positioning member 30 is configured to position the sliding member 10 on the second door 310. After the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are assembled and combined, alignment and positioning between the sliding member 10 and the second door 310 are achieved through alignment and positioning between the positioning member 30 and the second door 310, and then the sliding member 10 is fixed on the second door 310.

[0036] A pre-positioning structure is provided between the positioning member 30 and the sliding connection assembly, and the positioning member 30 comprises an alignment portion 36 configured to align and position with a predetermined position on the second door 310. As such, after the positioning member 30 and the sliding connection assembly are pre-positioned and assembled, the positioning member 30 and the sliding connection assembly are positioned with the second door 310 through alignment, with accurate positioning, simple structure, and convenient operation. Specifically, the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are pre-positioned and assembled, and then assembled together with the base 20.

[0037] As explained above, the main function of the positioning member 30 is to assist in positioning the sliding member 10 on the second door 310, and the alignment portion 36 is configured to achieve alignment and positioning between the positioning member 30 and the second door 310, thereby indirectly achieving alignment and positioning between the sliding member 10 and the second door 310.

[0038] In one embodiment, the alignment portion 36 has an alignment surface 361 configured to align and position with a side surface of the second door 310. Specifically, as shown in FIGs. 6-8, the alignment surface 361 is planar. When the alignment surface 361 is aligned with the side surface of the second door 310 and located in a same plane, alignment can be directly observed, measured by hand, or measured using a ruler or other tools to verify that the positioning member 30 has been installed in place, and the first fastener 40 can be further operated.

[0039] The alignment portion 36 has an abutting surface 362 configured to abut against an inner surface of the second door 310, and the alignment surface 361 is perpendicular to the abutting surface 362. The alignment portion 36 is a square plate, and the alignment surface 361 and the abutting surface 362 are adjacent outer surfaces. As such, the abutting surface 362 abuts against the inner surface of the second door 310, while the alignment surface 361 is aligned with the side surface of the second door 310, which is more conducive to accurate positioning between the positioning member 30 and the second door 310.

[0040] The positioning member 30 comprises two alignment portions 36 arranged at intervals on the same side of the positioning member 30, a through opening 363 is formed between the two alignment portions 36, and the through opening 363 allows the sliding member 10 to pass through.

[0041] As shown in FIGs. 2 and 6, the sliding member 10 comprises the cover portion 13 connected to one short edge side of the mounting portion 11. The sliding member 10 is relatively long in its initial state. When cooperating with the positioning member 30, the through opening 363 can also avoid the cover portion 13, and the two alignment portions 36 are located on both sides of the cover portion 13 along its width direction, to facilitate the above-mentioned abutting surfaces 362 to abut against the inner surface of the second door 310.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 14, the abutting surfaces 362 of the two alignment portions 36 may also extend to connect together, forming one plane to jointly abut against the inner surface of the second door 310.

[0043] The positioning member 30 comprises the first mounting plate 31 that cooperates with the base 20 and a second mounting plate 32 that cooperates with the sliding member 10, the first mounting plate 31 and the second mounting plate 32 are perpendicular to each other, the first mounting plate 31 is perpendicular to the second mounting plate 32, the alignment portion 36 is provided on the second mounting plate 32 and extends vertically from the second mounting plate 32, and the alignment portion 36 and the first mounting plate 31 are located on opposite sides of the second mounting plate 32.

[0044] Specifically, the "opposite sides" refers to: one side facing the first door 210 and the other side facing the second door 310. The alignment portion 36 is vertically provided from an edge of the second mounting plate 32 toward the second door 310 to achieve alignment and positioning with the second door 310; the first mounting plate 31 is vertically provided from an edge of the second mounting plate 32 toward the first door 210 to achieve fixed connection with the first door 210.

[0045] The pre-positioning structure comprises a first pre-positioning portion 34 provided on the second mounting plate 32 and a second pre-positioning portion 14 provided on the sliding member 10. The first pre-positioning portion 34 is provided facing the sliding member 10, and the second pre-positioning portion 14 cooperates with the first pre-positioning portion 34 for positioning. When the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are pre-positioned and assembled, the first fastener 40 should be accommodated in a receiving groove 331.

[0046] Specifically, the first pre-positioning portion 34 is a positioning column provided facing the sliding member 10, and the second pre-positioning portion 14 is a positioning hole; alternatively, the first pre-positioning portion 34 is a positioning hole, and the second pre-positioning portion 14 is a positioning column provided facing the positioning member. Providing the pre-positioning structure as positioning columns and positioning holes that cooperate with each other enables simple alignment and convenient installation, and also facilitates the positioning member 30 to be pulled out from the sliding member 10 during subsequent disassembly.

[0047] Specifically, after the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are pre-positioned and assembled, the fixed connection between the two can be strengthened through a snap structure. The positioning member 30 is provided with an elastic snap 35 adjacent to the first pre-positioning portion 34, the sliding member 10 is provided with a snap hole 15 that cooperates with the elastic snap 35, and the elastic snap 35 combines with the snap hole 15 to strengthen the stability of connection between the two.

[0048] The positioning member 30 comprises a limiting column 33 provided on the second mounting plate 32 and arranged opposite to the first mounting hole 111, the limiting column 33 comprises the receiving groove 331 configured to accommodate the first fastener 40, and the first fastener 40 is limited in the receiving groove 331 and cooperates with the first mounting hole 111.

[0049] The limiting column 33 comprises a stepped portion 332 provided at an end of the receiving groove 331 away from the first mounting hole 111, the stepped portion 332 protrudes inwardly relative to an inner wall surface of the receiving groove 331, the stepped portion 332 has a stepped surface 333 facing the mounting hole, and a distance from the stepped surface 333 to the first mounting hole 111 is not greater than a length of the first fastener 40; the first fastener 40 has a pre-installation state, in the pre-installation state, the screw head of the first fastener 40 is axially limited at the stepped surface 333, and an end of the screw shank is limited at the positioning rib 113.

[0050] Continuing with reference to FIGs. 6 and 9, when the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are assembled, the first fastener 40 is pre-installed in the receiving groove 331 and the first mounting hole 111. When the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are further assembled with the second door 310, shaking may occur. To prevent the first fastener 40 from being affected and producing displacement, the stepped surface 333 is provided along an axial direction of the first fastener 40. As such, the screw head of the first fastener 40 is axially limited by the stepped surface 333, while the end of the screw shank of the first fastener 40 is also axially limited by the positioning rib 113, so the first fastener 40 as a whole cannot produce axial displacement. It should be noted that the axial direction of the first fastener 40 is also a common axial direction of the screw head and the screw shank.

[0051] The receiving groove 331 gradually increases in inner diameter along a direction approaching the first mounting hole 111, the first fastener 40 has the pre-installation state, and in the pre-installation state, the screw head of the first fastener 40 is radially limited at an inner wall surface of the receiving groove 331 adjacent to the stepped surface 333.

[0052] Specifically, the stepped portion 332 protrudes inwardly relative to the inner wall surface of the receiving groove 331, the screw head of the first fastener 40 is axially limited at the stepped surface 333 and located below the stepped surface 333. If the inner diameter of the inner wall surface of the receiving groove 331 below the stepped surface 333 is too large, then in case of shaking or vibration, the screw head of the first fastener 40 may tilt radially. Therefore, providing the inner diameter of the receiving groove 331 adjacent to the stepped surface 333 to be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the screw head of the first fastener 40 can catch the first fastener 40. Alternatively, the inner diameter of the receiving groove 331 adjacent to the stepped surface 333 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the screw head of the first fastener 40 within 3mm. Within this deviation range, radial displacement of the first fastener 40 will not affect normal installation of the first fastener 40.

[0053] The limiting column 33 comprises an outer peripheral wall 334 that surrounds and forms the receiving groove 331 and a through groove 335 provided on the outer peripheral wall 334. The through groove 335 radially penetrates inner and outer surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 334 along a radial direction of the limiting column 33, such that the outer peripheral wall 334 comprises a plurality of arc-shaped walls arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction. The outer peripheral wall 334 has certain elastic deformation space, facilitating installation of the first fastener 40.

[0054] As shown in FIGs. 10-12, the present application also provides an installation method for the sliding connection device 100, comprising the following installation steps:

[0055] Providing the base 20; the base 20 may be pre-fixed to the first door 210.

[0056] Specifically, the second fastener 50 is first pre-loosened by 5-8mm. In other embodiments, according to different sizes of the second fastener 50 or the base 20, other values may also be used, as long as the base 20 can be inserted between the second fastener 50 and the first door 210.

[0057] After the second fastener 50 is lifted a certain distance relative to the first door 210, the base 20 is inserted between the second fastener 50 and the first door 210 through the second mounting hole 211, then the base 20 is moved to cooperate the locking hole 212 with the second fastener 50, and then the second fastener 50 is tightened to pre-fix the base 20 to the first door 210.

[0058] Providing the sliding member 10, the sliding member 10 comprises the first mounting hole 111 and the positioning structure 112 provided at the first mounting hole 111.

[0059] Providing the first fastener 40, the first fastener 40 is pre-positioned at the positioning structure 112, so that the first fastener 40 is pre-combined with the sliding member 10.

[0060] Providing the positioning member 30, and assembling and cooperating the positioning member 30 with the sliding member 10 pre-installed with the first fastener 40, such that the receiving groove 331 limits the first fastener 40. As such, the first fastener 40 is limited between the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30, facilitating subsequent fixing.

[0061] It can be understood that a providing sequence of the base 20, the sliding member 10, the positioning member 30, and the first fastener 40 is not specific. It can be understood that the base 20 is independently fixed to the first door 210. The base 20 may be pre-fixed to the first door 210, and then the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30 are assembled; alternatively, after the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30 are assembled, the base 20 is then fixed to the first door 210. In summary, fixing the base to the first door 210 and assembling the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30 are two independent operations.

[0062] The key point is: the first fastener 40 should be pre-positioned at the positioning structure 112 of the sliding member 10, and then assembled together with the positioning member 30. The first pre-positioning portion 34 cooperates with the second pre-positioning portion 14 for positioning, the elastic snap 35 cooperates with the snap hole 15 for snapping, and the cover portion 13 passes through the through opening 363; after the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10 are assembled, the screw head of the first fastener 40 is limited in the receiving groove 331, and the end of the screw shank of the first fastener 40 is limited at the positioning structure 112.

[0063] Subsequently, the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30 together cooperate with the base 20 on the first door 210. Specifically, as shown in FIGs. 10-12, the first door 210 and the second door 310 should be opened to a substantially same angle. The assembled sliding member 10 and positioning member 30 cooperate with the base 20 along a length direction of the first door 210, wherein the sliding portion 12 of the sliding member 10 slides into the sliding groove 220 of the base 20. After sliding a certain distance, the first mounting plate 31 of the positioning member 30 gradually abuts against the third mounting plate 21 of the base 20. At this time, referring to the alignment portion 36, when the alignment surface 361 is aligned with the side surface of the second door 310 and located in the same plane, it indicates that the positioning member 30 has been installed in place, and the first mounting plate 31 and the third mounting plate 21 can also be snap-fixed to further position the positioning member 30.

[0064] Furthermore, the first fastener 40 is pre-installed in the positioning member 30 and the sliding member 10. Using a screwdriver to tighten the first fastener 40, the first fastener 40 is fixed to the second door 310 along the axial direction of the receiving groove 331. The positioning rib 113 of the receiving groove 331 can provide a limiting function. When the head of the first fastener 40 abuts against a bottom surface of the recessed groove 110, the first fastener 40 is installed in place. As such, the sliding member 10 is fixed to the second door 310 with the assistance of the positioning member 30.

[0065] Finally, the positioning member 30 needs to be disassembled from the base 20 and the sliding member 10. A snap connection between the first mounting plate 31 and the third mounting plate 21 is released, a snap connection between the second mounting plate 32 and the sliding member 10 is released, and the first pre-positioning portion 34 and the second pre-positioning portion 14 are pulled apart and separated. As such, the positioning member 30 can be removed relative to the base 20 and the sliding member 10.

[0066] Considering aesthetic purposes, the cover portion 13 of the sliding member 10 is rotated and covered to the recessed groove 110, thereby covering the first fastener 40 and the first mounting hole 111 therein. The sliding connection device 100 also comprises a base cover 23. The base cover 23 and the base 20 can be integrally formed, and the base cover 23 is further separated from the base 20 during assembly, which can prevent the base cover 23 from being lost. Then the base cover 23 is assembled to the outer periphery of the base 20 to cover the entire base 20, providing aesthetic decoration. The base cover 33 and the base 20 may also be formed independently of each other.

[0067] Both the cover portion 13 and the base cover 23 are provided with notches convenient for operators to operate, to meet a need for subsequently opening the cover portion 13 or the base cover 23.

[0068] An embodiment of the present application also provides a door assembly, the door assembly comprises the first door 210, the second door 310, and the sliding connection device 100, the sliding connection assembly is provided between the first door 210 and the second door 310, in other words, the sliding member 10 and the base 20 are provided between the first door 210 and the second door 310.

[0069] The beneficial effects of the present application are: the alignment portion 36 is provided to achieve positioning with the second door 310 through alignment, which has a simple structure and is convenient to operate; a pre-positioning structure and a snap structure are provided between the sliding member 10 and the positioning member 30, after the two are pre-positioned and assembled, the positioning member 30 is further aligned and positioned with the second door 310, improving positioning accuracy; the sliding member 10 is provided with the positioning structure 112 for pre-positioning the first fastener 40, facilitating subsequent installation of the first fastener 40; the receiving groove 331 of the positioning member 30 limits the screw head of the first fastener 40, and the positioning structure 112 limits the screw shank of the first fastener 40, so that the first fastener 40 is restricted both axially and radially and is not prone to displacement.

[0070] It should be understood that although this description is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative manner of the description is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the description as a whole, and the technical solutions in various embodiments may also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments understandable to those skilled in the art.

[0071] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions for feasible embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the technical spirit of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A sliding connection device for slidingly connecting a first door to a second door, <b>characterized by comprising a sliding connection assembly and a positioning member configured to position a relative position between the sliding connection assembly and the second door; a pre-positioning structure is provided between the positioning member and the sliding connection assembly, and the positioning member comprises an alignment portion configured to align and position with a predetermined position on the second door.

2. The sliding connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding connection assembly comprises a base and a sliding member that are slidingly connected, the positioning member comprises a first mounting plate that cooperates with the base and a second mounting plate that cooperates with the sliding member, the first mounting plate is perpendicular to the second mounting plate, the alignment portion is provided on the second mounting plate and extends vertically from the second mounting plate, and the alignment portion and the first mounting plate are located on opposite sides of the second mounting plate.

3. The sliding connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pre-positioning structure comprises a first pre-positioning portion provided on the second mounting plate and a second pre-positioning portion provided on the sliding member, the first pre-positioning portion and the second pre-positioning portion pre-positioning cooperate, and the positioning member and the sliding member are pre-positioned and assembled.

4. The sliding connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sliding connection device comprises a first fastener configured to fix the sliding member to the second door, the sliding member comprises a first mounting hole for installing the first fastener and a positioning structure provided at the first mounting hole, and the positioning structure is configured to pre-position the first fastener.

5. The sliding connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first fastener is a screw, the first fastener comprises a screw head and a screw shank, the positioning structure comprises a positioning rib that cooperates with the screw shank for positioning, a minimum inner diameter of the positioning rib is not greater than an outer diameter of the screw shank, and the positioning rib is connected to an inner edge of the first mounting hole.

6. The sliding connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that a clearance space is formed between the positioning rib and the inner edge of the first mounting hole, and the positioning structure comprises a connecting rib connecting the positioning rib and the inner edge of the first mounting hole.

7. The sliding connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sliding connection device comprises a second fastener configured to fix the base to the first door, and the base comprises a second mounting hole for installing the second fastener and a limiting structure that cooperates with the second fastener.

8. The sliding connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second fastener is a screw, the limiting structure comprises a locking hole communicating with the second mounting hole, an inner diameter of the second mounting hole is greater than a screw head of the second fastener, and an inner diameter of the locking hole is adapted to an outer diameter of a screw shank of the second fastener.

9. A sliding connection device for slidingly connecting a first door to a second door, <b>characterized by comprising a sliding member and a base that are slidingly connected, and a first fastener configured to fix the sliding member to the second door, the base is configured to be fixed to the first door; the sliding member comprises a mounting hole for installing the first fastener and a positioning structure provided at the mounting hole, and the positioning structure is configured to pre-position the first fastener in the mounting hole.

10. The sliding connection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first fastener is a screw, the first fastener comprises a screw head and a screw shank, the positioning structure comprises a positioning rib that cooperates with the screw shank for positioning, a minimum inner diameter of the positioning rib is not greater than an outer diameter of the screw shank, and the positioning rib is connected to an inner edge of the mounting hole.

11. The sliding connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that a clearance space is formed between the positioning rib and the inner edge of the mounting hole, and the positioning structure comprises a connecting rib connecting the positioning rib and the inner edge of the mounting hole.

12. The sliding connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the sliding connection device comprises a positioning member configured to position the sliding member on the second door, the positioning member comprises a limiting column provided opposite to the mounting hole, the limiting column comprises a receiving groove configured to accommodate the first fastener, and the first fastener is limited in the receiving groove and cooperates with the mounting hole.

13. The sliding connection device according to claim 12, characterized in that the limiting column comprises a stepped portion provided at an end of the receiving groove away from the mounting hole, the stepped portion protrudes inwardly relative to an inner wall surface of the receiving groove, the stepped portion has a stepped surface facing the mounting hole, and a distance from the stepped surface to the mounting hole is not greater than a length of the first fastener; the first fastener has a pre-installation state, in the pre-installation state, the screw head of the first fastener is axially limited at the stepped surface, and an end of the screw shank is limited at the positioning rib.

14. The sliding connection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving groove gradually increases in inner diameter along a direction approaching the mounting hole, the first fastener has a pre-installation state, and in the pre-installation state, the screw head is radially limited at an inner wall surface of the receiving groove adjacent to the stepped surface.

15. The sliding connection device according to claim 10, characterized in that the limiting column comprises an outer peripheral wall that surrounds and forms the receiving groove and a through groove provided on the outer peripheral wall, the through groove radially penetrates inner and outer surfaces of the outer peripheral wall along a radial direction of the limiting column, such that the outer peripheral wall comprises a plurality of arc-shaped walls arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction.

16. The sliding connection device according to claim 12, characterized in that the positioning member comprises a first mounting plate that cooperates with the base and a second mounting plate that cooperates with the sliding member, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are perpendicular to each other, the limiting column is provided on the second mounting plate, and the second mounting plate comprises an alignment portion configured to align and position with a predetermined position of the second door.

17. The sliding connection device according to claim 1 or 16, characterized in that the alignment portion has an alignment surface configured to align and position with a side surface of the second door.

18. The sliding connection device according to claim 17, characterized in that the alignment portion has an abutting surface configured to abut against an inner surface of the second door, and the alignment surface is perpendicular to the abutting surface.

19. The sliding connection device according to claim 1 or 16, characterized in that the positioning member comprises two alignment portions arranged at intervals on a same side of the positioning member, a through opening is formed between the two alignment portions, and the through opening allows the sliding connection assembly to pass through.

20. A method for installing a sliding connection device, applied to the sliding connection device according to any one of claims 12-19, <b>characterized by comprising the following installation steps: providing a base; providing a sliding member, the sliding member being slidingly cooperative with the base; the sliding member comprising a mounting hole and a positioning structure provided at the mounting hole; providing a first fastener, the first fastener being pre-positioned at the positioning structure; providing a positioning member, and assembling and cooperating the positioning member with the sliding member pre-installed with the first fastener, such that a receiving groove limits the first fastener.

21. The method for installing a sliding connection device according to claim 20, characterized in that after the positioning member and the sliding member are assembled, the screw head is limited in the receiving groove, and an end of the screw shank is limited at the positioning structure; after the positioning member and the sliding member are assembled, the positioning member and the sliding member are assembled together with the base.

22. A door assembly, characterized by comprising a first door, a second door covering the first door, and the sliding connection device according to any one of claims 1-19, the sliding connection device being provided between the first door and the second door.

23. A household appliance device, characterized by comprising a household appliance, a cupboard configured to accommodate the household appliance, and the sliding connection device according to any one of claims 1-19, the household appliance comprises a first door, the cupboard comprises a second door, the second door covers the first door, and the sliding connection device is provided between the first door and the second door.

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