Connecting Bar Positioning in Parallel Hinge Door Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing door opening/closing apparatus reduces storage space due to the connecting bar interfering with the main body, as it is mounted on the main body side near the bent portion of the main arm.

Innovation Solution

The connecting bar is mounted on the door side of the main arm, with its center positioned on the second shaft side relative to the center between the first and second shafts of the main arm, allowing it to be closer to the back of the door, thus expanding storage space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connecting bar is mounted on the main body side near the bent portion of the main arm, then the door opening/closing mechanism functions properly, but the storage space in the main body is reduced due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening/closing mechanism functionVSAvoidstorage space in main body
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting bar is inverted from being mounted on the main body side to being mounted on the door side of the main arm. This positional inversion moves the connecting bar away from the bent portion area, eliminating interference with storage shelves and expanding storage space while maintaining the door opening/closing mechanism's proper function through the parallel linkage mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the connecting bar runs from top to bottom of the main body, then the door can be connected to the hinges, but the storage space is reduced and shelves may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor connection to hingesVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting bar's position is changed from running vertically through the main body to being mounted on the door side of the main arm, utilizing the spatial dimension on the door side. This dimensional relocation allows the connecting bar to coexist with storage shelves in the main body without interference, while still maintaining proper door connection functionality through the hinge mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3872287B1Door opening/closing device and hinge
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 SUGATSUNE IND CO LTD
  • EP3872287B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3872287B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3872287B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A door opening/closing apparatus is provided which can expand storage space in a main body. A door opening/closing apparatus (1) includes at least two hinges (2a and 2b), and a connecting bar (3) that is connected to the at least two hinges (2a and 2b). Each hinge (2a and 2b) includes a main body-side member (11), a door-side member (12), a main arm (13), a first link (14), and a second link (15), and causes a door (4) to move parallel to itself between a closed position and an open position. The main arm (13) includes a bent portion (31a). The connecting bar (3) is mounted on a door (4) side of the main arm (13). A center (B) of the connecting bar (3) in a width direction thereof is placed on a second shaft (13b) side relative to a center (C) between a first shaft (13a) and the second shaft (13b) of the main arm (13) in a front view (A) of the door (4) in a state where the door (4) is in the closed position.