Cooling Device Door Hinge with Adjustable Opening and Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling device door hinges do not effectively adjust opening/closing force based on varying door weights, leading to inconsistent user experience across different door types and loads.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with a triangular protrusion and a movable ball stopper housed in an adjustable mounting system, allowing the ball to contact different sections of the protrusion for varying degrees of force, enabling harsh, semi-harsh, or smooth door operation by mounting the cover to specific holes, and utilizing a spring for flexible movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed stopper is used on the door, then the door can open/close reliably, but the opening/closing force cannot be adjusted for different door weights
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is changed from a fixed position to a movable position along the hinge protrusion. The stopper can slide up and down the triangular protrusion and is held in place by a spring, allowing the stopping point to be dynamically adjusted based on door weight while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the stopper along the hinge protrusion is changed as a variable parameter. By adjusting where the stopper contacts the protrusion (higher or lower positions), the opening/closing force can be modified to match different door weights, transforming a fixed system into an adjustable one.
2Ease of manufacture
If the same hinge and stopper are used for all door types, then manufacturing is simplified, but the opening/closing force does not match different door weights
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed with universal components (standard triangular protrusion, stopper, spring mechanism) that can be applied to different door types. The multi-functionality is achieved by allowing the stopper to contact different regions of the protrusion, enabling the same hinge to accommodate various door weights without requiring custom-designed hinges for each application.
3Ease of operation
If pins and springs are added to the door, then opening/closing is facilitated, but the hinge cannot operate at different levels for different door weights
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism and stopper are merged into the hinge assembly itself rather than being separate door components. The stopper is integrated with the hinge body and moves along the hinge protrusion, combining the facilitating spring mechanism with the adjustable stopping function in a single integrated unit that adapts to different door weights.
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
Enables adjustable opening/closing forces tailored to different door weights, enhancing user convenience and door operation ease without requiring additional force adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the housing comprises a spring which provides the movement of the ball and a connection beam whereon the spring is disposed. Thus, the ball can flexibly move inside the housing depending on the pressure force applied by the protrusion.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2); a door (3) which covers the body (2), which provides access into the body (2) and which has an upper side (19), two lateral sides (18) and a lower side (17); at least one hinge (4) which enables the door (3) to be connected to the body (2) in an openable/closable manner; and a protrusion (14) which is provided at one end of the hinge (4) and which creates an elevation from the surface of the hinge (4) towards the lower side (17).