Hinge device with bidirectional damper

Abstract

A hinge device with a bidirectional damper comprises a first member (3) and a second member (5) mutually connected in a rotary manner by means of a hinge pin (7) and further comprises an elastic member (9) interacting between the first member (3) and the second member (5) to impart an elastic closing force to the device (1) by means of transmission means (11). Said device (1) comprises a damper element (13) provided with two opposite ends interposed between a first compression element (15) and at least one second compression element (17, 19, 21), where the first compression element (15) is constrained to slidingly translate towards and away from the hinge pin (7) and is operated by the transmission means (11) towards the at least one second compression element (17, 19, 21) during a predetermined final opening stroke of the device (1). The at least one second compression element (17) is fixed to the first member (3) and / or it (19, 21) is constrained to slidingly translate towards and away from the hinge pin (7) and is operated by the transmission means (11) towards the first compression element (15) during a predetermined final closing stroke of the device (1).

Description

[0001] HINGE DEVICE WITH BIDIRECTIONAL DAMPER

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention falls within the sector concerning hinges for appliances, furniture, devices and household appliances and refers to a hinge device with a bidirectional damper particularly suitable for household appliances with a door with a horizontal rotation axis in which the final opening and closing strokes must be slowed down.

[0005] PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There are known hinge devices provided with dampers to slow down one or more rotation sections of the device itself.

[0007] A disadvantage of such known devices is that, in general, they are difficult to adapt or modify to meet different needs.

[0008] Other disadvantages consist in their high complexity and cost and, moreover, they are often subject to wear and / or failures.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A purpose of the present invention is to propose a hinge device with a bidirectional damper that is relatively simple and economical.

[0011] Another purpose is to propose a reliable and long-lasting device.

[0012] A further purpose is to propose a device whose general architecture facilitates the possibility of realizing it with different operating parameters and / or different components.

[0013] Another purpose is to propose a configurable device for the damping of the terminal opening and closing strokes or of the terminal opening stroke only.

[0014] A further purpose is to allow easy adjustment of the opening angles at the correspondence of which the damping of the hinge rotation motion is activated.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The characteristics of the invention are highlighted below with particular reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0017] - figures 1-4 show median longitudinal section views of the hinge device with bidirectional damper, object of the present invention, in an opening sequence;

[0018] - figures 5 and 6 illustrate partially and totally exploded axonometric views respectively of the device of figure 1;

[0019] - figures 7-10 show median longitudinal section views of a variant of the hinge device with bidirectional damper, object of the present invention, in an opening sequence;

[0020] - figures 11 and 12 show partially and totally exploded axonometric views respectively of the device of figure 7.

[0021] BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference to figures 1-6, numeral 1 indicates the hinge device with bidirectional damper object of the present invention comprising a first member 3 of a hollow type, for example assigned to be fixed to a body or frame of a household appliance, and a second member 5, assigned to be fixed to a door or leaf of such household appliance. Such first member 3 and second member 5 are mutually connected in a rotating manner by means of a hinge pin 7 and are assigned for the rotation of the leaf or door between the closed and compressed condition of the gaskets of the household appliance, of figure 1, and the totally open condition of the appliance illustrated in figure 4.

[0023] Said device 1 also comprises an elastic member 9 interacting between the first member 3 and the second member 5 to impart to the device 1, by means of transmission means 11, an elastic closing force. The device 1 also comprises a linear damper element 13 provided with two opposite ends, for example of the elongated type whose opposite ends are elastically pushed towards their maximum distance corresponding to the maximum length of the damping element. The damper element 13 can be of the friction type or of the syringe type containing a viscous fluid that slows the stroke of the piston whose stem carries a helical spring for extrofl exion of the stem itself. Said ends of the damper element 13 are interposed between a first compression element 15 and at least one second compression element 17, 19, 21.

[0024] The first compression element 15, for example of an “L” shape, is constrained to slide towards and away from the hinge pin 7 or in the direction from and towards the at least one second compression element 17, 19, 21.

[0025] The first compression element 15 is operated in translation by the transmission means 11 towards the at least one second compression element 17, 19, 21 during a predetermined final opening stroke of the device 1. The at least one second compression element comprises an element 17 fixed to the first member 3 and / or it comprises at least one element 19, 21 constrained to slide towards and away from the hinge pin 7 or in the direction from and towards the first compression element 15 and such at least one translating element 19, 21 and is operated by the transmission means 11 in approach to the first compression element 15 during a predetermined final closing stroke of the device 1.

[0026] In said predetermined final opening and closing strokes, the distance between the first compression element 15 and the at least one second compression element 17, 19, 21 or its fixed element and / or translating elements is less than the maximum distance between the ends of the damper element 13 or the maximum length of the latter.

[0027] The transmission means 11 can act on the first compression element 15 and on the at least one second translating compression element 19, 21 by pushing or dragging them in their motion of transmitting the elastic force between the first member 3 and the second member 5. In particular, and as illustrated in figures 1-6, the transmission means 11 comprise a spring guide element 25 and a traction element 27 connected by pins and / or attachments to each other and, respectively, to the elastic member 9 and to the second member 5, transmitting and applying said elastic force between the first member 3 and the second member 5.

[0028] The first compression element 15 is provided with a sliding element 29 of the protruding type, preferably comprising a pair of protruding pins each slidingly engaged in a respective first actuation element 31 of the concave type, preferably consisting of a pair of sliding slots for such pins of the sliding element 29. The slots of the first actuation element 31 are obtained in the proximal portion, i.e. facing the hinge pin 7, of the spring guide element 25.

[0029] Preferably, but not necessarily, the protruding pins of the sliding element 29 can also slide in a respective guide element 33 preferably consisting of at least one pair of sliding slots for such pins of the sliding element 29. The guide element 33 is obtained in, or fixed to, the first member 3.

[0030] The position, dimensions and geometric characteristics in general of the first actuation element 31 cause the terminal abutment, i.e. the mutual abutment, with the respective sliding element 29 or, in other words, the contact of each protruding pin of the sliding element 29 of the first compression element 15 with one end of the corresponding slot of the first actuation element 31 of the spring guide element 25 so as to achieve the actuation, that is the translation, of the first compression element 15 towards the at least one second compression element 17, 19, 21 during said predetermined final closing stroke of the device 1.

[0031] Alternatively, it is provided that the sliding element 29 is of the concave type and the first actuation element 31 is of the protruding type.

[0032] The slots of the first actuation element 31 of the spring guide element 25 can be replaced by shoulders or brackets for the pins placed in place of the ends of the slots. The slots can be provided with terminal elements, for example consisting of plastic U-bolts, or the shoulders or brackets can be provided with shims or position regulators, for example with screws, to adjust the opening angle of the start of the predetermined final opening section, adjusting its angular width and therefore the intervention interval of the damper element 13.

[0033] The second compression element 17, 19, 21 comprises at least one shoulder 17, preferably two lateral and mutually facing shoulders, obtained in or fixed to the internal face of the first member 3 and assigned to meet the respective end of the damper element 13 at least in the predetermined final opening stroke of the device 1.

[0034] Preferably, but not necessarily, the second compression element 17, 19, 21 can comprise a bracket element 19 fixed to or obtained in the traction element 27 and assigned to meet the respective end of the damper element 13 in the predetermined final closing stroke of the device 1.

[0035] Referring now to figures 7-12, the embodiment variant of the device provides that the first compression element 15 and second compression element 17, 19, 21 each consist of an abutment element 15, 21 provided with a respective sliding element 29 consisting of a protruding pin or arm and slidably engaged in a respective first actuation element 31 consisting of a slot for the corresponding pin or arm obtained in the spring guide element 25 and possibly also slidably engaged in a respective optional guide element 33 consisting of a slot or rail obtained in or fixed to the first member 3. The concave slots or rails of the guide element 33 allow the free translation of the respective abutment elements 15, 21 and the position and dimensions of the slots of the first actuation element 31 cause the terminal contact with the corresponding sliding element 29 of the respective abutment element 15, 21 and the actuation of the latter in approaching the other abutment element 21, 15 during said predetermined final closing and opening strokes of the device 1. In particular, each abutment element 15, 21 is provided with a single protruding pin or arm and the respective edge is provided with a straight section, with an anti-rotation function, parallel to the direction of translation of the abutment element 15, 21 itself and sliding along a slider 37. These sliders 37, one for each of the abutment elements 15, 21 or made in a single body, are made of anti-friction material, to facilitate sliding, or alternatively, of friction material to brake the sliding of the first compression element 15 and of the second compression element 21 and to provide an additional braking action during the terminal portions of the hinge rotation. A further alternative provides that one of the sliders 37 is made of antifriction material and that the other of them 37 is made of friction material to provide an additional braking action during a terminal, opening or closing, portion of the rotation of the hinge.

[0036] Both embodiments, the main one and the variant one, provide that the elastic member 9 consists of a helical spring wrapped around the spring guide element 25 and compressed between an end stop of the spring guide element 25 and a surface portion of the first member 3 extending around a hole passing through the spring guide element 25 itself where the end of the latter opposite to the end stop is hinged to a distal end of the traction element 27.

[0037] The first member 3 is in the shape of a hollow parallelepiped, is made of shaped and bent metal sheet and is open and the respective longitudinal development is parallel to the spring guide 25, to each first actuation element 31 and to each guide element 33.

[0038] Both embodiments of the device 1 may optionally comprise an optional housing member 39, rigidly fixed to the first member 3 and containing the damper element 13 and a proximal portion of the spring guide 25 sliding therein.

[0039] The optional housing member 39 carries at least each second compression element 17 and the slots and / or rails of each guide element 33.

[0040] This optional housing member 39 has an elongated “U”-shaped cross-section and two side walls in each of which are formed a second compression element 17 and two slots and / or rails of a guide element 33.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Hinge device with bidirectional damper comprising a first member (3) and a second member (5) mutually connected in a rotary manner by means of a hinge pin (7), said first member (3) and second member (5) being assigned, one to be fixed to a door or leaf for the rotation of the latter between closed and totally opened conditions of the appliance and the other to be fixed to a structure or frame of the appliance; said device (1) further comprises an elastic member (9) interacting between the first member (3) and the second member (5) to impart an elastic closing force to the device (1) by means of transmission means (11); said device (1) comprises a damper element (13) provided with two opposite ends interposed between a first compression element (15) and at least a second compression element (17, 19, 21), where the first compression element (15) is constrained to slidingly translate towards and away from the hinge pin (7) and is operated by the transmission means (11) towards the at least one second compression element (17, 19, 21) during a predetermined final opening stroke of the device (1); the at least one second compression element (17) is fixed to the first member (3) and / or it (19, 21) is constrained to slidingly translate towards and away from the hinge pin (7) and is operated by the transmission means (11) towards the first compression element (15) during a predetermined final closing stroke of the device (1), were the transmission means (11) include a spring guide element (25) and a traction element (27) connected by means of pins and / or attachments to each other and, respectively, to the elastic member (9) and to the second member (5) to apply said elastic force between the first member (3) and the second member (5); said device (1) is characterized in that the second compression element (17, 19, 21) comprises at least one shoulder (17) obtained in or fixed to the first member (3) and assigned to abut the respective end of the damper element (13) in the predetermined final opening stroke of the device (1) and / or comprises a shelf element (19) fixed to or obtained in the traction element (27) and assigned to abut with the respective end of the damper element (13) in the predetermined final closing stroke of the device (1).2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the first compression element (15)is provided with at least one sliding element (29) each slidingly engaged in a respective first actuation element (31) obtained in the spring guide element (25) and in a respective guide element (33) obtained in or fixed to the first member (3) where the position, dimensions (and geometric characteristics in general) of the first actuation element (31) cause the terminal abutment with the respective sliding element (29) and the actuation of the latter towards the at least one second compression element (17, 19, 21) during said predetermined final closing stroke of the device (1).3) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that each one of the first compression element (15) and the second compression element (17, 19, 21) consists of an abutment element (15, 21) provided with a respective sliding element (29) protruding and slidingly engaged in a respective concave first actuation element (31) obtained in the spring guide element (25) and also slidingly engaged in a respective guide element (33) consisting of a slot or rail obtained in or fixed to the first member (3) where the position and dimensions of the slots of the first actuation element (31) cause the terminal abutment with the corresponding sliding element (29) of the respective abutment element (15, 21) and the actuation of the latter towards the other abutment element (21, 15) during said predetermined final closing and opening strokes of the device (1).4) Device according to claim 3 characterized in that each abutment element (15, 21) is provided with a single protruding pin or arm and that the respective edge is provided with a straight section parallel to the direction of translation of the abutment element (15, 21) itself and slides along a slider (37) made of anti-friction material fixed directly or indirectly to the first member (3).5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the elastic member (9) consists of a helical spring wrapped around the spring guide element (25) and compressed between an end stop of the spring guide element (25) and a surface of the first member (3) around a hole passing through the spring guide element (25) itself where the end of the latter opposite to the end stop is pivoted to a distal end ofthe traction element (27).6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first member (3) is in the shape of an open parallelepiped, having longitudinal development parallel to the spring guide (25), to each first actuation element (31) and to each operating guide element (33).7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in comprising a housing member (39) rigidly fixed to the first member (3) and containing the damper element (13) and a proximal portion of the spring guide (25) which slide therein, and carrying at least each second compression element (17) and the slots and / or rails of each guide element (33).8) Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the housing member (39) has an elongated "U" shaped cross section and two side walls in each of which a second compression element (17) and two slots and / or rails of a guide element (33) are obtained.

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