Door-opening buffer hinge

Abstract

A door-opening buffer hinge comprising a first hinge member 10 with a shaft 12 about which is pivoted a second hinge member 20 with a sliding damper element 31 abutting a cam surface on the shaft; the

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a buffer hinge, and more particularly to a door-opening buffer hinge. 5

[0002] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a conventional door-closing buffer hinge mounted between a door frame 6 and a door panel 7 includes a fixed element 1 mounted on the door frame 6, a damper shaft 2 fixedly disposed on the fixed element 1, a movable element 3 pivotally disposed on the damper shaft 2 and connected to the door panel 7, a damper unit 4 disposed in the movable element 10 3, and a one-way valve 5 disposed in the damper unit 4.

[0003] The damper shaft 2 has a center point 204, and includes a damper portion 201 having a planar damping surface 202 and a semicircular damping surface 203. A radius of curvature (r) from the center point 204 to any point on the semicircular damping surface 203 is fixed. 15

[0004] The movable element 3 includes a main body portion 301 formed with an oil compartment 303, and a door panel clamp 302 connected to the door panel 7. The oil compartment 303 can accommodate hydraulic oil, and is divided by the damper unit 4 into a first oil chamber 304 and a second oil chamber 305. 28 05 25

[0005] The damper unit 4 includes a piston 401 movably disposed in the second oil chamber 305 and contacting the damper portion 201, a locking cap 402 connected to the main body portion 301, and a spring 403 abutting between the piston 401 and the locking cap 402. However, the damper unit 4 may include more 5 than one springs 403 abutting between the piston 401 and the locking cap 402.

[0006] The one-way valve 5 includes a one-way flow channel 501 formed in a front end of the piston 401 of the damper unit 4, and a ball 502 disposed in the one-way flow channel 501. The one-way flow channel 501 has a large diameter portion 503 communicating with the first oil chamber 304, a small diameter portion 10 504 communicating with the second oil chamber 305, and a shoulder 505 between the large and small diameter portions 503, 504.

[0007] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in combination with FIG. 3, the door panel 7 and the door frame 6 define an opening angle (a) therebetween. When the door panel 7 is in a door-closing position, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening angle 15 (a) is 0 degree. When the door panel 7 is in a normal door-opening position, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening angle (a) is 90 degrees. When the door panel 7 is in a maximum door-opening position, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening angle (a) is 180 degrees. 28 05 25

[0008] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the door panel 7 is rotated from the door-closing position to the normal door-opening position, a distance between the front end of the piston 401 of the damper unit 4 and the center point 204 of the damper shaft 2 will increase from minimum to maximum, the maximum 5 distance being the radius of curvature (r) of the semicircular damping surface 203. During this rotation, the piston 401 of the damper unit 4 will move outward and compress the spring 403, and the spring 403 will generate resistance to the opening action of the door panel 7 and accumulate elastic restoring force when opening the door. At this time, the ball 502 of the one-way valve 5 is away from the 10 shoulder 505 of the one-way flow channel 501, and will not block communication between the small and large diameter portions 504, 503, so that the hydraulic oil in the second oil chamber 305 can quickly flow into the first oil chamber 304 through the one-way flow channel 501 of the one-way valve 5 without causing resistance to the opening action of the door panel 7. 15

[0009] However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the door panel 7 is rotated from the normal door-opening position to the maximum door-opening position, because the piston 401 of the damper unit 4 remains in contact with the semicircular damping surface 203 having a fixed radius of curvature (r), a distance 28 05 25 between the front end of the piston 401 of the damper unit 4 and the center point 204 of the damper shaft 2 will remain unchanged. In other words, during this rotation, the amount of compression of the spring 403 will not increase any further, and will not produce any further buffering effect on the opening action of the door 5 panel 7. At the same time, the hydraulic oil will also not cause resistance to the opening action of the door panel 7. In this way, if the door-opening force exerted on the door panel 7 (such as the user's force or the external wind) is large, the moment the door panel 7 is opened to the maximum door-opening position, the door panel 7 is likely to hit the wall, causing unexpected dangers. 10

[0010] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 6, when the user slightly pushes the door panel 7 to rotate the door panel 7 from the normal door-opening position to the door-closing position, the elastic restoring force of the spring 403 of the damper unit 4 is mainly used to automatically close the door. During this rotation, the spring 403 of the damper unit 4 will push inwardly the piston 401. At the same time, the 15 ball 502 of the one-way valve 5 will abut against the shoulder 505 of the one-way flow channel 501, blocking the communication between the small and large diameter portions 504, 503. As a result, the hydraulic oil in the first oil chamber 304 cannot flow back into the second oil chamber 305 through the one-way flow 28 05 25 channel 501 of the one-way valve 5, and may need to go through a speed control valve channel (not shown) with a smaller hole diameter in order to flow back into the second oil chamber 305. In this way, the oil pressure resistance can produce resistance to the piston 401 that is moving inward, thereby performing a buffering 5 effect of closing the door.

[0011] However, under a special situation where the user closes the door quickly with force, since the inward movement of the piston 401 is slower than the closing movement of the door panel 7, when the door panel 7 returns from the normal door-opening position to the door-closing position, the piston 401 cannot 10 immediately contact the damper portion 201, and only until the door panel 7 reaches the door-closing position will the piston 401 move slowly toward the damper portion 201 until it contacts the same. Hence, effective hydraulic oil resistance cannot be generated immediately, and thus, the buffering function during closing of the door cannot be achieved. 15

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a door opening buffer hinge that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] According to this disclosure, the door-opening buffer hinge is 28 05 25 configured to be mounted between a door frame and a door panel which define an opening angle therebetween. The door-opening buffer hinge includes a fixed element, a movable element, a damper unit, a one-way valve module, and a hydraulic buffer module. 5

[0014] The fixed element includes a base configured to be connected to the door frame, and a camshaft fixedly disposed in the base. The camshaft has a center point, and includes a cam having an outer surface. A radius of curvature is defined between the center point and any point on the outer surface of the cam.

[0015] The movable element is configured to be connected to the door 10 panel and is pivotally disposed on the camshaft. The movable element is formed with a compartment, and is rotatable relative to the camshaft between a doorclosing position and first and second door-opening positions. When the movable element is in the door-closing position, the opening angle is essentially 0 degree. When the movable element is rotated from the first door-opening position to the 15 door-closing position, the opening angle gradually becomes smaller. When the movable element is rotated from the first to the second door-opening position, the opening angle gradually becomes larger.

[0016] The damper unit is disposed in the movable element, and includes 28 05 25 a damper driven element movably disposed in the compartment and abutting against the outer surface of the cam. The damper driven element divides the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly communicating with each other. The cam is located in the first chamber. The damper driven element is 5 in sliding contact with the second chamber. When the movable element is in the door-closing position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam is minimum, and a resistance between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam is minimum. When the movable element is rotated from the door-closing position to 10 the first door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam remains unchanged, and a resistance between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam remains unchanged. When the movable element is rotated from the first dooropening position to the second door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a 15 point of contact between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam continues to increase, and a resistance between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam continues to increase. When the movable element is in the second door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact 28 05 25 between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam is maximum, and a resistance between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam is maximum.

[0017] The one-way valve module is disposed in the damper driven 5 element. When the movable element is rotated from the first to the second dooropening position, the one-way valve module is used to block fluid communication between the first and second chambers. When the movable element is rotated from the second to the first door-opening position, the one-way valve module is used to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers. 10

[0018] The hydraulic buffer module is disposed in the movable element and is connected between the first and second chambers. When the movable element is rotated from the first to the second door-opening position, the hydraulic buffer module is used to control the speed of oil flow from the second to first chamber.

[0019] The effect of this disclosure resides in: By using the change in the 15 radius of curvature at the point of contact between the damper driven element and the outer surface of the cam, through cooperation of the configuration of the oneway valve module and the hydraulic buffer module, when the door panel is pushed to drive the movable element to rotate from the first door-opening position to the 28 05 25 second door-opening position, and in addition to the elastic member providing a buffering effect with increasing resistance to the opening action of the door panel, the hydraulic oil flowing through the buffer oil channel of the hydraulic buffer module will also generate hydraulic buffering resistance to the opening action of 5 the door panel. In this way, even if the door-opening force exerted on the door panel is relatively large, during rotation of the door panel from the first dooropening position to the second door-opening position, because the door panel will be subjected to the buffer resistance generated by the elastic member and the hydraulic buffer module simultaneously, this disclosure can effectively prevent the 10 door panel from hitting the wall due to rapid opening thereof, thereby avoiding unexpected dangers.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to 15 scale.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional door-closing buffer hinge.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line ll-ll of FIG. 1. 28 05 25

[0023] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line Ill-Ill of FIG. 2, illustrating the door-closing buffer hinge disposed between a door frame and a door panel with the door panel in a door-closing position.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the door panel in a normal 5 door-opening position.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the door panel in a maximum door-opening position.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a continuous action diagram, illustrating the door panel being rotated from the normal door-opening position to the door-closing position. 10

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a door-opening buffer hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 9, illustrating 15 the door-opening buffer hinge of the embodiment disposed between a door frame and a door panel with the door panel in a door-closing position.

[0031] FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of FIG. 10.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the door panel in a first 28 05 25 door-opening position.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the door panel in a second door-opening position.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a perspective sectional view of a damper driven element 5 of a damper unit and a one-way valve module of the embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 7.

[0036] FIG. 16 is a continuous action diagram, illustrating the door panel being rotated from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position. 10

[0037] FIG. 17 is a continuous action diagram, illustrating the door panel being rotated from the second door-opening position to the door-closing position.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a door-opening buffer hinge 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to be mounted between a door frame 200 and a door panel 300. The door frame 200 and the door 15 panel 300 define an opening angle (0) therebetween. The door-opening buffer hinge 100 includes a fixed element 10, a movable element 20, a damper unit 30, a one-way valve module 40, and a hydraulic buffer module 50.

[0039] The fixed element 10 includes a base 11 and a camshaft 12. The 28 05 25 base 11 has a fixed plate 111 configured to be connected to the door frame 200, and two arch plates 112 connected to the fixed plate 111 and spaced apart from each other in a height direction (Z). Each arch plate 112 has an elongated mounting hole 113. 5

[0040] Referring to FIG. 11, in combination with FIGS. 9 and 10, the camshaft 12 is fixedly disposed between the arch plates 112, has a center point 123, and includes a cam 121 having an outer surface 124, and two connecting end portions 122 located on two sides of the cam 121 that are opposite to each other in the height direction (Z). A radius of curvature (R) is defined between the center 10 point 123 and any point on an outer surface 124 of the cam 121. The connecting end portions 122 are respectively inserted into the mounting holes 113 of the arch plates 112 and are fixed thereat.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the movable element 20 is configured to be connected to the door panel 300, and is pivotally disposed on the 15 camshaft 12. In this embodiment, the movable element 20 includes a main body portion 21 pivotally connected to the camshaft 12, and a door panel clamp 22 disposed on the main body portion 21 and configured to be connected to the door panel 300. The main body portion 21 is formed with a compartment 23 for 28 05 25 accommodating hydraulic oil (not shown). The movable element 20 is rotatable relative to the camshaft 12 between a door-closing position (see FIG. 10), a first door-opening position (see FIG. 12), and a second door-opening position (see FIG. 13). 5

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in combination with FIG. 10, when the movable element 20 is rotated from the first door-opening position (see FIG. 12) to the door-closing position (see FIG. 10), the opening angle (0) gradually becomes smaller; and when the movable element 20 is rotated from the first door-opening position (see FIG. 12) to the second door-opening position (see FIG. 13), the 10 opening angle (0) gradually becomes larger.

[0043] In this embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, when the movable element 20 is in the door-closing position, the opening angle (0) is essentially 0 degree. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, when the movable element 20 is in the first door-opening position, the opening angle (0) ranges from 60 to 15 120 degrees. Preferably, the opening angle (0) is essentially 100 degrees. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 13, when the movable element 20 is in the second dooropening position, the opening angle (0) is essentially 180 degrees.

[0044] Referring back to FIGS. 8 to 10, the damper unit 30 is disposed in 28 05 25 the main body portion 21 of the movable element 20, and includes a damper driven element 31, an elastic member 32, and a locking cap 33.

[0045] The damper driven element 31 is movably disposed in the compartment 23 along an axial direction (L), abuts against the outer surface 124 5 of the cam 121, and divides the compartment 23 into a first chamber 231 and a second chamber 232 fluidly communicating with each other. In this embodiment, the cam 121 is located in the first chamber 231, and the damper driven element 31 has a hollow cylindrical shape, is in sliding contact with the second chamber 232, and has a front end portion 311 abutting against the outer surface 124 of the cam 10 121.

[0046] The locking cap 33 is threadedly connected to the second chamber 232, and closes one end of the second chamber 232 that is opposite to the front end portion 311. The elastic member 32 is disposed in the damper driven element 31, and extends into the second chamber 232. The elastic member 32 has two 15 opposite ends respectively abutting against the front end portion 311 and the locking cap 33 for biasing the damper driven element 31 to move toward and abut against the outer surface 124 of the cam 121. In this embodiment, the elastic member 32 is a compression spring. 28 05 25

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 10 and 11, when the movable element 20 is in the door-closing position, a radius of curvature (R) at a point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 is minimum (Rmin) (see FIG. 11), and the resistance between the damper driven 5 element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 is minimum.

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, when the movable element 20 is rotated from the door-closing position to the first door-opening position, a radius of curvature (R) at a point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 remains unchanged, that is, minimum (Rmin) 10 (see FIG. 11), and the resistance between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 also remains unchanged.

[0049] With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, when the movable element 20 is rotated from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position, a radius of curvature (R) at a point of contact between the damper driven element 31 15 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 continues to increase, and the resistance between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 also continues to increase. When the movable element 20 is in the second door opening position, a radius of curvature (R) at a point of contact between the damper 28 05 25 driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 is maximum (Rmax) (see FIG. 11), and the resistance between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 is also maximum.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 14, in combination with FIGS. 9 and 10, the one- 5 way valve module 40 is disposed in the damper driven element 31, and, in this embodiment, includes a one-way flow channel 41 formed in the front end portion 311 of the damper driven element 31, and a valve core ball 42 disposed in the oneway flow channel 41. The one-way flow channel 41 has a first or small diameter portion 411 communicating with the first chamber 231, a second or large diameter 10 portion 412 communicating with the second chamber 232 and having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion 411, and a shoulder 413 between the small and large diameter portions 411, 412. The valve core ball 42 is movably disposed in the large diameter portion 412. It should be understood that one end of the large diameter portion 412, which is opposite to the small diameter portion 15 411, can prevent the valve core ball 42 from escaping from the large diameter portion 412. However, an opening size of the large diameter portion 412 in the height direction (Z) is still larger than an outer diameter of the valve core ball 42.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 16, in combination with FIGS. 12 and 13, when the 28 05 25 movable element 20 is rotated from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position, the one-way valve module 40 is used to block fluid communication between the first and second chambers 231, 232. In this embodiment, when the movable element 20 is rotated from the first door-opening 5 position to the second door-opening position, the valve core ball 42 abuts against the shoulder 413 (see FIG. 14), and blocks fluid communication between the small and large diameter portions 411, 412, thereby blocking fluid communication between the first and second chambers 231, 232.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 17, in combination with FIG. 14, when the movable 10 element 20 is rotated from the second door-opening position to the first dooropening position, the one-way valve module 40 is used to allow fluid communication between the first and second chambers 231, 232. In this embodiment, when the movable element 20 is rotated from the second dooropening position to the first door-opening position, the valve core ball 42 is away 15 from the shoulder 413, and allows fluid communication between the small and large diameter portions 411, 412, thereby allowing fluid communication between the first and second chambers 231, 232.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 15, in combination with FIG. 8, the hydraulic buffer 28 05 25 module 50 is disposed in the main body portion 21 of the movable element 20, and is connected between the first and second chambers 231, 232. In this embodiment, the hydraulic buffer module 50 includes a buffer oil channel 51 formed in the main body portion 21 and fluidly communicating with the first and second chambers 231, 5 232, and an adjustment valve 52 adjustably disposed in the main body portion 21 and inserted into the buffer oil channel 51.

[0054] The buffer oil channel 51 has a first oil channel section 511 communicating with the first chamber 231, and a second oil channel section 512 communicating with the first oil channel section 511 and the second chamber 232. 10 The second oil channel section 512 has a first or small diameter portion 513 communicating with the second chamber 232, and a second or large diameter portion 514 communicating with the small diameter portion 513 and the first oil channel section 511 and having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion 513. The adjustment valve 52 is inserted into the second oil channel section 15 512. In this embodiment, the adjustment valve 52 is inserted into the small diameter portion 513 through the large diameter portion 514, and has an oil output slot 521 formed in a bottom end thereof.

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, when the movable element 20 28 05 25 is rotated from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position, the hydraulic buffer module 50 is used to limit a fluid flow rate from the second chamber 232 to the first chamber 231. In this embodiment, the fluid flow rate refers to the flow rate of the hydraulic oil. The hydraulic buffer module 50 uses the 5 adjustment valve 52 to adjust the size of communication between the large and small diameter portions 514, 513 so as to control the flow rate of the hydraulic oil flowing from the second chamber 232 to the first chamber 231 through the buffer oil channel 51.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, when the door panel 300 is pushed 10 to drive the movable element 20 to rotate from the door-closing position to the first door-opening position, and with the opening angle (9) changing from 0 degree to 100 degrees, the radius of curvature (R) at the point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 is maintained at the minimum (Rmin). That is, during this rotation, the elastic member 32 will not be 15 compressed by the damper driven element 31, and will not generate resistance to the opening action of the door panel 300. At the same time, the hydraulic oil is not driven by the damper driven element 31, and will not also generate resistance to the opening action of the door panel 300. A user only has to exert an appropriate 28 05 25 force to push the door panel 300, and the door panel 300 can be easily moved to the first door-opening position.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 11, 15 and 16, when the door panel 300 is pushed to drive the movable element 20 to further rotate from the first door-opening 5 position to the second door-opening position (see FIG. 13), and with the opening angle (9) changing from 100 to 180 degrees, the radius of curvature (R) at the point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 will continuously increase from the minimum (Rmin) to the maximum (Rmax). That is, the damper driven element 31 will be continuously pushed outward 10 by the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 along the axial direction (L), and the elastic member 32 will be compressed by the damper driven element 31 such that the amount of deformation thereof will continue to increase so as to produce a buffering effect with increasing resistance to the opening action of the door panel 300. More importantly, during this rotation, the valve core ball 42 of the one-way valve module 15 40 will be pushed by the hydraulic oil to abut against the shoulder 413 (see FIG. 14) of the one-way flow channel 41 and block communication of the second chamber 232 with the first chamber 231 through the one-way flow channel 41, forcing the hydraulic oil in the second chamber 232 to flow into the first chamber 28 05 25 231 only through the buffer oil channel 51 of the hydraulic buffer module 50, thereby generating hydraulic buffering resistance. In this way, even if the opening force exerted on the door panel 300 (such as the user's force or external wind force) is large, when the door panel 300 is opened to the second door-opening position, 5 the door panel 300 will simultaneously receive the buffering resistance generated by the elastic member 32 and the hydraulic buffer module 50, which can prevent the door panel 300 from hitting the wall due to rapid opening thereof, thereby avoiding unexpected dangers.

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 17, when the door panel 300 is 10 pushed to drive the movable element 20 to rotate from the second door-opening position to the door-closing position, and with the opening angle (0) changing from 180 degrees to 0 degree, the radius of curvature (R) at the point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 will continuously decrease from the maximum (Rmax) to the minimum (Rmin), and after 15 passing the first door-opening position, the radius of curvature (R) will continuously remain at the minimum (Rmin). That is, the damper driven element 31 will be continuously pushed inward by the elastic member 32 along the axial direction (L) until the amount of deformation of the elastic member 32 due to compression will 28 05 25 continue to decrease until it is not compressed. Then, during changing of the opening angle (9) from 100 degrees to 0 degree, the uncompressed elastic member 32 will not generate resistance on the closing action of the door panel 300. At the same time, during changing of the opening angle (9) from 180 degrees to 0 degree, 5 the valve core ball 42 of the one-way valve module 40 will be pushed by the hydraulic oil to move away from the shoulder 413 (see FIG. 14) of the one-way flow channel 41, allowing the first chamber 231 to communicate with the second chamber 232 through the one-way flow channel 41, and allowing the hydraulic oil in the first chamber 231 to directly flow to the second chamber 232 through the 10 one-way flow channel 41, so that the hydraulic buffering resistance to the closing action of the door panel 399 will not be produced. In this way, the user only has to exert an appropriate force to push the door panel 399, and the door panel 399 can be easily rotated to the door-closing position.

[9959] From the aforesaid description, the advantages of this disclosure 15 can be summarized as follows:

[9969] 1. By using the change in the radius of curvature (R) at the point of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121, through cooperation of the configuration of the one-way valve module 49 28 05 25 and the hydraulic buffer module 50, when the door panel 300 is pushed to drive the movable element 20 to rotate from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position, and with the opening angle (0) changing from 100 to 180 degrees, in addition to the elastic member 32 providing a buffering effect with 5 increasing resistance to the opening action of the door panel 300, the hydraulic oil flowing through the buffer oil channel 51 of the hydraulic buffer module 50 will also generate hydraulic buffering resistance to the opening action of the door panel 300. In comparison with the prior art, even if the door-opening force exerted on the door panel 300 is relatively large, during rotation of the door panel 300 from the first 10 door-opening position to the second door-opening position, because the door panel 300 will be subjected to the buffer resistance generated by the elastic member 32 and the hydraulic buffer module 50 simultaneously, this disclosure can effectively prevent the door panel 300 from hitting the wall due to rapid opening thereof, thereby avoiding unexpected dangers. 15

[0061] 2. It should be understood that, when the door panel 300 is pushed to drive the movable element 20 to rotate from the first door-opening position to the second door-opening position, even in the special situation where the user closes the door quickly with force, because the radius of curvature (R) at the point 28 05 25 of contact between the damper driven element 31 and the outer surface 124 of the cam 121 will gradually increase to the maximum, and at the same time, the hydraulic buffer module 50 will also generate hydraulic buffering resistance when the damper driven element 31 is pushed outward, during this rotation, the faster 5 the user opens the door, the hydraulic oil in the second chamber 232 will be forced to flow into the first chamber 231 through the buffer oil channel 51 of the hydraulic buffer module 50 in a shorter period of time. However, in fact, in the shorter period of time, the buffer oil channel 51 cannot instantly digest the same volume of hydraulic oil. In this way, a greater hydraulic buffering resistance will be generated, 10 which is more helpful to prevent the door panel 300 from hitting the wall due to rapid opening thereof.

[0062] 3. When the door panel 300 is pushed to drive the movable element 20 to rotate from the first door-opening position (see FIG. 12) to the door-closing position (see FIG. 10), and with the opening angle (9) changing from 100 degrees 15 to 0 degree, this disclosure utilizes the radius of curvature (R) to maintain equal diameters, and through cooperation of the configuration of the one-way valve module 40, the uncompressed elastic member 32 and the hydraulic oil flowing through the one-way flow channel 41 will not cause resistance to the closing action 28 05 25 of the door panel 300. Hence, the present disclosure can be used in conjunction with the conventional door-closing buffer hinge, and both can be mounted between the door frame 200 and the door panel 300.

[0063] In summary, the door-opening buffer hinge of this disclosure not 5 only can effectively prevent the door panel 300 from hitting the wall when it is quickly opened to thereby avoid unexpected dangers, but also can allow the user to easily open or close the door panel 300. Therefore, the object of this disclosure can indeed be achieved.

[0064] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous 10 specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,” "an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal 15 number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the 28 05 25 disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect 5 implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where 10 appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure. 28 05 25

Claims

1. A door-opening buffer hinge configured to be mounted between a door frame and a door panel, the door frame and the door panel defining an opening angle therebetween, said door-opening buffer hinge comprising:5 a fixed element including a base configured to be connected to the doorframe, and a camshaft fixedly disposed in said base, said camshaft having a center point, and including a cam having an outer surface, a radius of curvature being defined between said center point and any point on said outer surface of said cam;a movable element configured to be connected to the door panel and10 pivotally disposed on said camshaft, said movable element being formed with a compartment and being rotatable relative to said camshaft between a door-closing position, a first door-opening position and a second door-opening position, wherein, when said movable element is in said door-closing position, the opening angle is essentially 0 degree; when said movable element is rotated from said first door-15 opening position to said door-closing position, the opening angle gradually becomes smaller; and when said movable element is rotated from said first dooropening position to said second door-opening position, the opening angle graduallybecomes larger;28 05 25a damper unit disposed in said movable element and including a damper driven element movably disposed in said compartment and abutting against said outer surface of said cam, said damper driven element dividing said compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly communicating with each other, 5 said cam being located in said first chamber, said damper driven element being in sliding contact with said second chamber, wherein, when said movable element is in said door-closing position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam is minimum, and a resistance between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam10 is minimum; when said movable element is rotated from said door-closing position to said first door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam remains unchanged, and a resistance between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam remains unchanged; when said movable element is rotated15 from said first door-opening position to said second door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam continues to increase, and a resistance between saiddamper driven element and said outer surface of said cam continues to increase;28 05 25and when said movable element is in said second door-opening position, a radius of curvature at a point of contact between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam is maximum, and a resistance between said damper driven element and said outer surface of said cam is maximum;5 a one-way valve module disposed in said damper driven element,wherein, when said movable element is rotated from said first door-opening position to said second door-opening position, said one-way valve module is used to block fluid communication between said first chamber and said second chamber; and when said movable element is rotated from said second door-opening position10 to said first door-opening position, said one-way valve module is used to allow fluid communication between said first chamber and said second chamber; anda hydraulic buffer module disposed in said movable element and connected between said first chamber and said second chamber, wherein, when said movable element is rotated from said first door-opening position to said15 second door-opening position, said hydraulic buffer module is used to control the speed of oil flow from said second chamber to said first chamber;wherein said hydraulic buffer module further includes a buffer oilchannel formed in said movable element and fluidly communicating with said first28 05 25chamber and said second chamber, and an adjustment valve adjustably disposed in said movable element and inserted into said buffer oil channel; andwherein said buffer oil channel has a first oil channel section communicating with said first chamber, and a second oil channel section 5 communicating with said first oil channel section and said second chamber, said second oil channel section having a first diameter portion communicating with said second chamber, and a second diameter portion communicating with said first diameter portion of said second oil channel section and having a diameter larger than a diameter of said first diameter portion of said second oil channel section, 10 said adjustment valve being inserted into said second oil channel section.

2. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when said movable element is in said first door-opening position, the opening angle ranges from 60 to 120 degrees; and when said movable element is in said second dooropening position, the opening angle is essentially 180 degrees.15 3. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when saidmovable element is in said first door-opening position, the opening angle is essentially 100 degrees.

4. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,28 05 25wherein said damper unit further includes an elastic member and a locking cap, said damper driven element having a front end portion abutting against said outer surface of said cam, said locking cap being threadedly connected to said second chamber so as to close one end of said second chamber that is opposite to said5 front end portion of said damper driven element, said elastic member having two opposite ends respectively abutting against said front end portion of said damper driven element and said locking cap for biasing said damper driven element to move toward and abut against said outer surface of said cam.

5. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one-way10 valve module includes a one-way flow channel formed in said front end portion of said damper driven element, and a valve core ball disposed in said one-way flow channel, said one-way flow channel having a first diameter portion communicating with said first chamber, a second diameter portion communicating with said second chamber and having a diameter larger than a diameter of said first diameter portion,15 and a shoulder between said first diameter portion and said second diameter portion, said valve core ball being movably disposed in said second diameter portion, and wherein, when said movable element is rotated from said first dooropening position to said second door-opening position, said valve core ball abuts28 05 25against said shoulder to block fluid communication between said first diameter portion and said second diameter portion; and when said movable element is rotated from said second door-opening position to said first door-opening position, said valve core ball is away from said shoulder to allow fluid communication 5 between said first diameter portion and said second diameter portion.

6. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said base has a fixed plate configured to be connected to the door frame, and two arch plates connected to said fixed plate and spaced apart from each other in a height direction, each of said arch plates having a mounting hole, said 10 camshaft further including two connecting end portions located on two sides of said cam that are opposite to each other in the height direction, said two connecting end portions being respectively inserted into said mounting holes of said arch plates and being fixed thereat.

7. The door-opening buffer hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, 15 wherein said movable element including a main body portion, and a door panel clamp disposed on said main body portion and configured to be connected to the door panel, said compartment being formed in said main body portion, saidhydraulic buffer module being disposed in said main body portion.

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