Appliance Door Hinge Damper Protection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinge systems in household appliances face issues such as damage from overloads, noise, and mechanical problems due to direct force transmission and excessive connectors, leading to incomplete closure and increased force requirements.
Innovation Solution
A door hinge design that incorporates multiple dampers and elastic pieces to absorb forces, with a mechanism to protect the dampers from overloads and reduce noise by integrating the damper and elastic components within a single structure, using rollers and connectors to slow down door closure and prevent abrasion and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the damper is directly connected to the door closing mechanism to absorb forces, then the door closing noise is reduced, but the damper is at risk of damage from overload when the door closes too fast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective mechanism with elastic pieces and rollers that cushion the door's movement before it reaches the damper. This preliminary cushioning prevents excessive forces from directly impacting the damper, thereby protecting it from overload damage while maintaining noise reduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermediate components including elastic pieces, rollers, and connecting members that act as mediators between the door and the damper. These intermediaries soften the force transmission, allowing the damper to absorb closing forces without being exposed to damaging peak loads from rapid door closure.
2Force
If multiple connectors are used to transmit door movement to the damper, then the force transmission is achieved, but the system becomes complex and connectors may fail to function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate connectors and transmission elements into an integrated hinge body structure. The connecting members are incorporated directly into the hinge assembly, reducing the number of discrete parts while maintaining effective force transmission to the damper mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge body and its components are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - providing structural support, transmitting door movement, protecting the damper from overload, and reducing noise. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Device complexity
If the shaft slides on the connecting member without rotating to transmit force, then the mechanism is simplified, but abrasion and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sliding shaft mechanism with a rotating roller system. Instead of a shaft sliding linearly on the connecting member, rollers rotate along the movement path, converting harmful sliding friction into more efficient rolling motion, thereby reducing abrasion and noise while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents damper damage, reduces noise, and ensures smooth, slow door closure, enhancing the longevity and functionality of the hinge system by distributing forces and stabilizing the door's movement.
Implementation Method 1
transmission of the forces produced during closing of the door to a damper located within the hinge body via different methods and then damping the forces by the damper
Implementation Method 2
at least one element which generates closing force
Implementation Method 3
The shaft slides on the connecting member without rotating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door hinge (1) comprising members that protect the first damper (9) and the second damper (14) in order to prevent the overloads that might arise when a household appliance door is closed fast from causing damage in the first damper (9) and the second damper (14). The door hinge (1) of the present invention prevents the door of a household appliance from making noise when being opened and closed, and slows down the fast movement during closing.