Door hinge assembly for a household appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable door hinge assemblies for refrigerators are costly to produce and assemble, with complex structures that do not offer a broad enough range of adjustment to prevent door interference with walls and cabinets, requiring technical expertise for adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly with an eccentric stop and ratchet mechanism that allows selective fixing of the door's maximum opening angle between 70° and 230°, enabling users to adjust the door without technical assistance, featuring a ratchet mechanism with meshing face gears and a pivoting pin for secure adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple joined hinges are used to provide adjustable opening angles, then the door can be adjusted to prevent interference with walls and cabinets, but the structure becomes complicated and production/assemblage costs increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable opening angleVSAvoidhinge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is divided into separate functional components: a hinge body, an adjustable stop mechanism with multiple angular positions, and an eccentric abutment on the door. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in a straightforward manner, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stop mechanism serves multiple functions: it limits the door opening angle, provides adjustable angular positions, and works with the eccentric abutment to achieve broad adjustment range. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple joined hinges are used to provide adjustable opening angles, then the door can be adjusted to prevent interference with walls and cabinets, but production and assemblage costs increase considerably in labor and material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable opening angleVSAvoidproduction and assemblage cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple, easily manufactured components such as a ratchet mechanism and discrete angular position stops that can be produced cost-effectively. These components are designed for easy assembly and replacement, reducing both material and labor costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a limited adjustment range is provided, then the hinge assembly structure can be simplified, but the door cannot prevent interference with walls and cabinets in all installation scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge structureVSAvoidadjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an eccentric abutment on the door that works in conjunction with the stop mechanism. This adds a dimensional element (eccentricity) that enables the door to achieve a broad adjustment range (70° to 230°) without requiring a correspondingly complex hinge structure, as the adjustment is achieved through the combined action of the stop positions and the eccentric geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3292359B1Door hinge assembly for a household appliance

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 ARCELIK AS

Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly (1) for a household appliance (2) which comprises a main body (3) and a door (4). The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises an eccentric abutment (5) which is fixed to the door (4) and which cooperates with the hinge assembly (1) of the present invention. The hinge assembly (1) comprises a hinge (6) which is configured to pivotably support the door (4) about the pivotal axis (z). The hinge assembly (1) of the present invention comprises an eccentric stop (7) which is configured to directly contact the eccentric abutment (5) so as to block pivotal movement of the door (4) at the corresponding angular position and an adjustment mechanism (8) which is configured to selectively allow fixing of the eccentric stop (7) to one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the pivotal axis (z) of the hinge (6).