Articulating wire chase for use with an articulating hinge for an appliance door

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing appliance hinges with integrated wire chases often cause damage to flexible conduits due to pinching, crimping, or folding during the articulating motion between collapsed and extended positions, leading to potential damage to wiring and tubing.

Innovation Solution

An articulating wire chase with a housing that includes a base member and an enclosure member, featuring arcuate retainers and a guide slot, which secures a flexible conduit in a consistent position, preventing unwanted crimping or folding by allowing controlled bending and maintaining a stable position as the hinge moves between serpentine and elongated positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wire chase is integrated with the articulating hinge to enable movement between collapsed and extended positions, then the adaptability and functionality of the hinge system is improved, but the flexible conduit is subjected to pinching, crimping, or folding damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulating motion capabilityVSAvoidconduit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wire chase is divided into multiple segments or sections that can articulate independently. Each segment contains a portion of the flexible conduit and can move relative to adjacent segments, allowing the wire chase to follow the articulating motion of the hinge without subjecting the conduit to damaging forces. This segmentation enables the system to maintain both adaptability and conduit protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible conduit protector or articulation mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid wire chase structure and the flexible conduit. This intermediary component absorbs the stresses of articulation through controlled deformation or movement, preventing direct transmission of pinching and crimping forces to the conduit while still allowing the wire chase to articulate with the hinge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the wire chase maintains a fixed structure to protect the conduit, then the reliability is improved, but the wire chase cannot accommodate the articulating motion between collapsed and extended positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit protectionVSAvoidarticulating motion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wire chase transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure. The wire chase incorporates joints, hinges, or flexible sections that allow it to change its configuration and follow the motion path between collapsed and extended positions. This dynamic design maintains conduit protection through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wire chase incorporates flexible protective sleeves, bellows, or thin-walled structures that can bend and articulate without compromising conduit protection. These flexible components maintain the protective enclosure for the conduit while accommodating the articulating motion, preventing pinching and crimping through their inherent flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the wire chase allows free movement to accommodate articulation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the flexible conduit may be damaged due to uncontrolled motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulating motion smoothnessVSAvoidconduit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wire chase is pre-configured with articulation joints, guide slots, or predetermined bending paths that prepare the structure for smooth articulating motion. These pre-designed features ensure that when the hinge moves between collapsed and extended positions, the wire chase follows a controlled path that prevents uncontrolled motion and potential conduit damage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wire chase incorporates curved or arc-shaped sections instead of sharp angles, allowing smooth transitions during articulation. These curved paths guide the flexible conduit through gentle bends rather than sharp folds, enabling easy articulating motion while preventing crimping and folding damage to the conduit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3674504B1Articulating wire chase for use with an articulating hinge for an appliance door

Publication Date: 2021.07.28 WHIRLPOOL CORP

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AI summary

A hinge assembly (26) for a refrigerating appliance (16) includes a door engaging member (28) that is configured to attach to a door panel (14) through an operational path (30) of the door engaging member (28). A cabinet engaging member (32) is configured to attach to a structural cabinet (34). An articulating mechanism (36) extends between the door engaging member (28) and the cabinet engaging member (32). The articulating mechanism (36) partially defines the operational path (30) of the door engaging member (28). An articulating wire chase (10) that is coupled to the cabinet engaging member (32) and slidably coupled to the articulating mechanism (36) at a guide slot (38). The articulating mechanism (36) is operable between a collapsed position (22) and an extended position (24). Operation of the articulating mechanism (36) operates the articulating wire chase (10) between a serpentine position (40) and an elongated position (42).