Hinge assemblies and kitchen equipment

Abstract

A hinge assembly (100) and a kitchen equipment, the hinge assembly (100) including a fixed plate (10) and a movable plate (20), the fixed plate (10) having a first axle (11) and a second axle (12), the movable plate (20) having a first slide groove (21) into which the first axle (11) is fitted and a second slide groove (22) into which the second axle (12) is fitted, the movable plate (20) is adapted to be switched between an open position and a closed position, the lower edge of the movable plate (20) has an end point, and in the process of opening and closing, the end point first moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate (10), and in the open position and the closed position, the end point is located in the same horizontal plane.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority from Chinese patent application numbers "202210583131.1" and "202221286430.0" for "Hinge Assembly and Kitchen Equipment" filed by Midea Laundry Appliance Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Shunde District, Foshan City, on May 25, 2022.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of appliances, and more particularly to hinge assemblies and kitchen equipment. [Background technology]

[0003] Kitchen appliances are typically fitted into cabinets with doors that flip outward to open or close the processing spaces of the kitchen appliance (e.g., the cooking space of an oven or the cleaning space of a dishwasher).

[0004] However, a baseboard is installed under the cabinet to enhance the aesthetics of the room, and the doors of kitchen equipment are large and have a certain thickness, so they may interfere with the baseboard during the opening process. In order to avoid the door, part of the baseboard must be cut downward, which will ruin the aesthetics of the room. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art by providing a hinge assembly that can avoid interference with baseboards during door opening and closing, eliminating the need to cut the baseboards and improving the aesthetics of the room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure further provides a kitchen appliance employing the above hinge assembly.

[0007] The hinge assembly disclosed herein includes a fixed plate and a movable plate, the fixed plate having a first axle and a second axle, the movable plate having a first sliding groove into which the first axle is fitted and a second sliding groove into which the second axle is fitted, the movable plate being switchable between an open position and a closed position, the lower edge of the movable plate having an end point, and in the opening and closing process, the end point first moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate, and in the open position and the closed position, the end point is located in the same horizontal plane.

[0008] In this way, the first axle is configured to fit into the first sliding groove, and the second axle is configured to fit into the second sliding groove, thereby limiting the fitting by a double movement trajectory, and the end point first moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate during the opening and closing process, and the end points are located on the same horizontal plane in the open and closed positions, preventing interference between the door on the movable plate and the baseboard, eliminating the need to cut the baseboard and improving the aesthetic appearance of the room. Meanwhile, the door movement trajectory is more rational, and it occupies less space in the open position, thereby reducing the space requirements of the kitchen equipment and improving installation convenience.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second mandrel is disposed forward relative to the first mandrel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first mandrel is disposed above the second mandrel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first slide groove includes a first groove segment, and a stroke starting point of the first slide groove is located at one end of the first groove segment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first groove segment is used to rotate and move the end point up during the opening process.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second slide groove includes a second groove segment, and a stroke starting point of the second slide groove is located at one end of the second groove segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second groove segment is used to rotate and move the end point up during the opening process.

[0015] In some embodiments, in the closed position, the first groove segment is configured as a concave arcuate groove.

[0016] In some embodiments, in the closed position, the second groove segment is configured as a concave arcuate groove.

[0017] In some embodiments, the arc length of the second groove segment is less than the arc length of the first groove segment.

[0018] In some embodiments, the circle-equivalent radius of the first groove segment is greater than the circle-equivalent radius of the second groove segment.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first groove segment and the third groove segment are in communication.

[0020] In some embodiments, the third groove segment is used to move the end point downward during the opening process.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second groove segment and the fourth groove segment are in communication.

[0022] In some embodiments, the fourth groove segment is used to move the end point downward during the opening process.

[0023] In some embodiments, in the closed position, the third groove segment slopes forward and extends downward.

[0024] In some embodiments, in the closed position, the fourth groove segment slopes forward and extends downward.

[0025] In some embodiments, the length of the third groove segment is greater than the length of the fourth groove segment.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first slide groove further includes a fifth groove segment in communication with the third groove segment.

[0027] In some embodiments, the stroke end point of the first slide groove is located at the fifth groove segment.

[0028] In some embodiments, during the opening process, the fifth groove segment is used to drive the end point to rotate.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fifth groove segment is configured as an arcuate groove.

[0030] In some embodiments, the stroke end point of the second slide groove is located at the fourth slide groove.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one of the movable plate and the fixed plate is provided with a limit plate, and the other is provided with a limit arm into which the limit plate fits.

[0032] The present disclosure further provides a kitchen equipment, including a box provided with a fixed plate, a door provided with a movable plate, and the hinge assembly as described above in the above embodiments.

[0033] Additional aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0034] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a hinge assembly in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a hinge assembly in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixed plate of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a moving plate of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals throughout refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described with reference to the following drawings are illustrative and are used only for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, and should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure.

[0037] In the description of this application, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are orientations or positional relationships shown based on the drawings, and are intended merely to facilitate and simplify the description of this application, and do not indicate or imply that the indicated devices or elements have a specific orientation or should be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood to limit the present disclosure.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for explanatory purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to specify the number of technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature qualified as "first" or "second" may indicate or imply the inclusion of one or more of the feature. In the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two.

[0039] First, it should be pointed out that the kitchen equipment may be kitchen washing equipment and kitchen cooking equipment, such as dishwashers, steamers, ovens, etc., which are fitted into cabinets or closets, and this type of kitchen equipment must have a processing space (i.e., a cooking space such as an oven or steamer, and a washing space for a dishwasher), and must be provided with a door, which allows the processing space to be selectively opened or closed, thereby improving the cleaning or cooking effect.

[0040] However, kitchen equipment needs to ensure that the processing space is separated from the outside when the door is in the closed position based on cooking or cleaning needs, and that it has to have good sealing properties. Therefore, the door needs to be large and have a certain thickness. However, a thick door will displace a lot during opening, and the lower edge of the door will likely interfere with the baseboard, making it impossible to open, and after the baseboard is cut, the aesthetics of the room will be reduced.

[0041] For this reason, the present disclosure provides a hinge assembly 100 that adjusts the movement trajectory of the door, thereby preventing the door from interfering with the baseboard during opening and closing, eliminating the need to cut the baseboard and improving the aesthetics of the room.

[0042] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a hinge assembly 100 and kitchen equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a hinge assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a fixed plate 10 and a movable plate 20, and the movable plate 20 can be inverted relative to the fixed plate 10 to switch between an open position and a closed position. The door and the movable plate 20 are joined together, and the box and the fixed plate 10 are joined together, thereby enabling the door to be opened and closed relative to the box.

[0044] The fixed plate 10 is provided with a first mandrel 11 and a second mandrel 12, and the movable plate 20 is provided with a first slide groove 21 into which the first mandrel 11 is fitted and a second slide groove 22 into which the second mandrel 12 is fitted. The movable plate 20 is adapted to switch between an open position and a closed position, and in the opening and closing process, the end point 23 first moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, and in the open position and the closed position, the end point 23 is located in the same horizontal plane (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0045] The end point 23 of the lower edge of the movable plate 20 corresponds to the lower edge of the door, and the lower edge of the fixed plate 10 remains fixed during the opening and closing process of the hinge assembly 100. The relative position with respect to the baseboard may be fixed as a reference point, or may be regarded as the same as the upper edge of the baseboard. The first axle 11 and the first sliding groove 21 slide together, and the second axle 12 and the second sliding groove 22 slide together. The mutual limits of the first axle 11 and the first sliding groove 21, and the second axle 12 and the second sliding groove 22 can limit the movement trajectory of the movable plate 20, so that the end point 23 of the movable plate 20 is on the same horizontal plane in both the open and closed positions, and the corresponding lower edge of the door is on the same horizontal plane, and the end point 23 always moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10 first during the opening or closing process (corresponding to the lower edge of the door moving away from the baseboard).

[0046] Furthermore, while the upper edge of the baseboard is positioned in the same horizontal plane, the lower edge of the door can be positioned in another horizontal plane above the upper edge of the baseboard in the closed position. The end point 23, which is in the same horizontal plane in the open and closed positions, ensures that the lower edge of the door does not interfere with the baseboard in either the open or closed position, improving the convenience of opening and closing the door. During the opening and closing process, the lower edge of the door always moves away from the upper edge of the baseboard first, avoiding interference between the door and the baseboard during the opening and closing process. This eliminates the need to cut the baseboard and improves the aesthetics of the room.

[0047] During the actual door opening process, the movement trajectory of the end point 23 can move upward and then downward to avoid interference during the opening or closing process, and it can be located above the baseboard in both the closed and open positions. The movement trajectory of the end point 23 can first translate outward to move away from the baseboard, and then move upward to reach the open position and then above the baseboard, with the above being directly above or diagonally above to avoid interference.

[0048] During the opening or closing process, the door moves relative to the baseboard, i.e., the end point 23 moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, and there are several selectable movement types that can be selected to avoid interference with the baseboard. However, this disclosure does not specifically limit them, and any of the above movements that can be realized to avoid interference between the door and the baseboard should be included in the scope of protection claimed by this disclosure.

[0049] In addition, the end point 23 moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, thereby avoiding interference between the baseboard and the door. During the entire movement process, the door first moves away from the end point 23 to effectively avoid interference, and then the end point 23 is positioned on the same horizontal plane in both the open and closed positions. This avoids interference between the door and the baseboard in the open and closed positions, while also making the movement trajectory of the door more rational and preventing the movement trajectory from being too large, thereby preventing the kitchen equipment from taking up too much space in the open position. This improves the convenience of kitchen equipment layout and reduces the space requirements for kitchen equipment.

[0050] In the hinge assembly 100 of the disclosed embodiment, the first axle 11 is fitted with the first sliding groove 21, and the second axle 12 is fitted with the second sliding groove 22, so that the distance deviation between the lower edge of the door and the baseboard can be zero. In the closed position, the thickness side of the door in the thickness direction defines the lower edge, and in the open position, the blocking side, which is used to block the processing space of the door, defines the lower edge. In the process of switching between the open and closed positions, the lower edge of the door changes between the thickness side and the blocking side (specifically, in the open process, the lower edge changes from the thickness side to the blocking side). In the closing process, the lower edge is limited by a gradual change from the blocking side to the thickness side), and the lower edge is in a dynamic position. In the prior art hinge assembly 100, when the door ridge (the line where the thickness side and the blocking side intersect) corresponding to the end point 23 is formed as the lower edge, the distance between the door and the baseboard is the shortest and interference is likely to occur. In the present disclosure, the relative movement relationship between the end point 23 and the lower edge of the fixing plate 10 is limited, thereby ensuring that the door ridge moves away from the baseboard.

[0051] The hinge assembly 100 in the disclosed embodiment is configured so that the first axle 11 fits into the first sliding groove 21, and the second axle 12 fits into the second sliding groove 22, thereby achieving limited engagement through a double movement trajectory. During the opening and closing process, the end point 23 first moves away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, and in the open and closed positions, the end point 23 is located on the same horizontal plane. This prevents interference between the door and baseboard provided on the movable plate 20, eliminating the need to cut the baseboard and improving the aesthetics of the room. Meanwhile, the door movement trajectory is more rational, occupying less space in the open position, thereby reducing the space requirements for kitchen equipment and improving installation convenience.

[0052] In addition, the fitting structure of the double axle and slide groove has a higher smoothness of movement, which reduces the shaking during the door opening and closing process, improves the convenience of opening and closing the door, and reduces the door opening and closing noise generated during the door opening and closing process, improving the user experience.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second mandrel 12 is disposed forward relative to the first mandrel 11, and the first mandrel 11 is disposed above the second mandrel 12.

[0054] The second axle 12 is positioned in front of the first axle 11, and there is a difference in height between the first axle 11 and the second axle 12. During the door opening process, the first axle 11 pulls the sliding plate in the first sliding groove 21, causing it to move upwards as a whole, and then rotates around the second axle 12 in the second sliding groove 22, driving the end point 23 to first move away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, thereby achieving the technical objective of avoiding the above-mentioned interference.

[0055] Hereinafter, the opening process of the movable plate 20 in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0056] The first slide groove 21 has a first groove segment 21a, a third groove segment 21b, and a fifth groove segment 21c that are connected in sequence, and the second slide groove 22 has a second groove segment 22a and a fourth groove segment 22b that are connected in sequence, and the first groove segment 21a and the second groove segment 22a are the stroke starting points of the first slide groove 21 and the second slide groove 22, respectively, and the fifth groove segment 21c and the fourth groove segment 22b are the stroke end points of the second slide groove 22 and the first slide groove 21, respectively.

[0057] The sliding plate opening process can be divided into three stages: a first stage in which the first groove segment 21a engages with the first mandrel 11 and the second groove segment 22a engages with the second mandrel 12; a second stage in which the third groove segment 21b engages with the first mandrel 11 and the fourth groove segment 22b engages with the second mandrel 12; and a third stage in which the fifth groove segment 21c engages with the first mandrel 11 and the fourth groove segment 22b engages with the second mandrel 12.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the first slide groove 21 includes a first groove segment 21a, the second slide groove 22 includes a second groove segment 22a, the stroke starting point of the first slide groove 21 is located at one end of the first groove segment 21a, and the stroke starting point of the second slide groove 22 is located at one end of the second groove segment 22a, and the first groove segment 21a and the second groove segment 22a are used to rotate and move the end point 23 upward during the opening process.

[0059] In the first stage, the first groove segment 21a is fitted with the first mandrel 11, and the second groove segment 22a is fitted with the second mandrel 12, thereby pulling the end point 23 and moving it upward relative to the lower edge of the fixed plate 10 while simultaneously rotating it, thereby realizing the initial opening of the door and avoiding interference between the door and the baseboard during the initial opening process.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, in the closed position, the first groove segment 21a and the second groove segment 22a are configured as arc-shaped grooves concave backward, and the arc length of the second groove segment 22a is smaller than the arc length of the first groove segment 21a, and the circle-equivalent radius of the first groove segment 21a is larger than the circle-equivalent radius of the second groove segment 22a.

[0061] As a result, during the door opening process, the first axle 11 interacts with the first groove segment 21a, and the second axle 12 interacts with the second groove segment 22a, generating a moment that pulls the movable plate 20 upward, driving the end point 23 to move upward, i.e., driving the end point 23 to move away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the first groove segment 21a and the third groove segment 21b are connected, the second groove segment 22a and the fourth groove segment 22b are connected, and the third groove segment 21b and the fourth groove segment 22b are used to move the end point 23 downward during the opening process.

[0063] In the second stage, the third groove segment 21b engages with the first mandrel 11, and the fourth groove segment 22b engages with the second mandrel 12, pulling the end point 23 toward the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, i.e., realizing the restriction of movement of the end point 23 to be positioned on the same horizontal plane in the open and closed positions.

[0064] Furthermore, since the end point 23 is first moved away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10 and then moved toward the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, interference between the door and the baseboard can be avoided. At the same time, the stroke of the movement away from the lower edge of the fixed plate 10 during the door opening process is more rational, and the space occupied by the door in the open position can be reduced.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, in the closed position, the third groove segment 21b and the fourth groove segment 22b are both tilted forward and extend downward, and the length of the third groove segment 21b is greater than the length of the fourth groove segment 22b.

[0066] As a result, the third groove segment 21b, which has a longer length, can pull the first mandrel 11, thereby generating a moment that pulls the movable plate 20 and moves it downward, thereby driving the end point 23 to move downward.

[0067] The third groove segment 21b and the fourth groove segment 22b can both be configured as straight groove segments or arcuate groove segments.

[0068] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the first sliding groove 21 further includes a fifth groove segment 21c communicating with the third groove segment 21b, the stroke end point of the first sliding groove 21 is located at the fifth groove segment 21c, and the stroke end point of the second sliding groove 22 is located at the fourth sliding groove, and during the opening process, the fifth groove segment 21c is used to drive and rotate the end point 23.

[0069] In the third stage, the fifth groove segment 21c engages with the first axle 11, and the fourth groove segment 22b engages with the second axle 12. In the third stage, the door finally moves to the open position. Before reaching the final open position, the second axle 12 first moves to the end of the stroke of the second sliding groove 22, and the first axle 11 engages with the fifth groove segment 21c. The door rotates around the axis of the second axle 12 to the open position. That is, the first and second stages are used to adjust the relative position of the end point 23 with respect to the lower edge of the fixed plate 10, so as to avoid interference between the baseboard and the door. In the second stage, the door further rotates to achieve full opening.

[0070] Therefore, the fifth groove segment 21c is configured as an arc-shaped groove.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a limit plate 30 is provided on one of the movable plate 20 and the fixed plate 10, and a limit arm 40 into which the limit plate 30 fits is provided on the other.

[0072] The movable plate 20 may be provided with a limit plate 30 and the fixed plate 10 with a limit arm 40, or the fixed plate 10 may be provided with a limit plate 30 and the movable plate 20 with a limit arm 40. The limit plate 30 and the limit arm 40 will press against each other to limit the opening angle of the movable plate 20, allowing the door to move to the open position and hover in that position, preventing the door from opening too far. Correspondingly, a buffer structure may be provided on the limit arm 40 or the limit plate 30 to provide a buffer for the door, preventing the user from using too much opening force to generate loud opening noise and improving the stability of the door opening. Some doors may be provided with a transparent structure such as glass or acrylic plate, which will prevent damage to the transparent structure when configured as a visible kitchen equipment and extend the service life of the door.

[0073] The kitchen equipment of the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a box provided with a fixed plate 10, a door provided with a movable plate 20, and the hinge assembly 100 of the above embodiment, and the technical effects of providing the same are the same as those of the hinge assembly 100, and will not be described in detail here.

[0074] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and that the scope of the present disclosure is limited by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A hinge assembly comprising: a fixed plate, the fixed plate being provided with a first mandrel and a second mandrel; a movable plate, the movable plate having a first slide groove into which the first axle is fitted and a second slide groove into which the second axle is fitted, the movable plate being adapted to switch between an open position and a closed position, a lower edge of the movable plate having an end point, the end point first moving away from the lower edge of the fixed plate during opening and closing, the end point being located in the same horizontal plane at the open position and the closed position.

2. 2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the second axle is disposed forward relative to the first axle and the first axle is disposed above the second axle.

3. 3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first slide groove includes a first groove segment, the second slide groove includes a second groove segment, a stroke starting point of the first slide groove is located at one end of the first groove segment, a stroke starting point of the second slide groove is located at one end of the second groove segment, and the first groove segment and the second groove segment are used to rotate and move the end points upward during an opening process.

4. 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein in the closed position, the first groove segment and the second groove segment are configured as rearwardly concave arcuate grooves, and the arc length of the second groove segment is less than the arc length of the first groove segment.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 3 , wherein the circle-equivalent radius of the first groove segment is greater than the circle-equivalent radius of the second groove segment.

6. 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein the first groove segment and the third groove segment are in communication, the second groove segment and the fourth groove segment are in communication, and the third groove segment and the fourth groove segment are used to move the end point downward during the opening process.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 6 , wherein in the closed position, the third groove segment and the fourth groove segment both tilt forward and extend downward.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 6 , wherein the length of the third groove segment is greater than the length of the fourth groove segment.

9. 7. The hinge assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first slide groove further includes a fifth groove segment communicating with the third groove segment, the stroke end point of the first slide groove is located at the fifth groove segment, the stroke end point of the second slide groove is located at the fourth slide groove, and the fifth groove segment is used to drive the end points to rotate during the opening process.

10. The hinge assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fifth groove segment is configured as an arcuate groove.

11. 2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein a limit plate is provided on one of the movable plate and the fixed plate, and a limit arm into which the limit plate is fitted is provided on the other.

12. Kitchen equipment, The box and The door and A kitchen equipment comprising: the hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and wherein the fixed plate is provided on the box and the movable plate is provided on the door.

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