Damper Hinge Counter Support for Soft-Closing Appliance Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home appliance doors, especially oven doors, tend to slam shut when closed, causing damage, noise, and wear due to existing absorbing mechanisms that fail to adequately address user needs and extend appliance lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A damper hinge counter support system with a hinge body, bearing, hinge arm, counter support, counter support body, connection shafts, pin, damper shaft, damper, elastic piece, roller, shaft, slit, transmitter, and elastic element that absorbs loads and allows angular movement, preventing slamming and damage by slowing down the closing motion and managing excessive loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing absorbing mechanisms are applied to the home appliance door, then the door closing impact is reduced, but the mechanisms fail to adequately address user needs and extend appliance lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The door closing mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a damper unit with first and second arms for controlled closing, and a separate absorbing unit with third and fourth arms for impact absorption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, preventing door slamming while extending appliance lifespan through coordinated action.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and the absorbing unit. It controls the closing speed and reduces the kinetic energy before the door reaches the closed position, thereby preventing excessive impact on the appliance body and extending its lifespan.
2Speed
If a damper unit with multiple arms is used to control door closing, then the closing motion is slowed down, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper unit and absorbing unit are merged into a single integrated hinge mechanism that shares common structural elements. The first arm of the damper unit connects to the second arm, which in turn connects to the third arm of the absorbing unit, creating a unified structure that reduces overall complexity while maintaining the ability to control closing speed and absorb impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. The connection elements between arms provide both structural support and rotational movement, while the spring element simultaneously provides restoring force and energy absorption. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Force
If an absorbing unit is added to manage excessive loads, then the door impact is better controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbing unit is nested within the overall hinge structure, with the third and fourth arms integrated into the existing mechanism. The spring element is positioned within the absorbing unit, utilizing the structural framework already provided by the damper unit's arms, thereby minimizing additional complexity while effectively managing impact forces.
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 system effectively prevents door slamming, reduces wear and noise, and extends appliance lifespan by absorbing loads and managing excessive forces, allowing for smooth operation and angular movement.
Implementation Method 1
At least a damper (9) which is located inside the counter support body (5) to which the damper shaft (8) is connected to; said damper absorbing loads that are loaded on it
Implementation Method 2
At least an elastic piece (81) located on the damper shaft (8), which applies counter force in the reverse direction to the motion of the damper shaft (8) towards the damper (9) and in this way helps to return the damper shaft (8) after the door (K) is closed and opened
Implementation Method 3
At least an elastic element (14) that is fitted to the arms of the transmitter (13) and that absorbs the impact
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to a damper counter support system (1) for home appliances (C) basically used in kitchens, said system being adapted to the counter support hinge of the door in order to prevent the slamming shut of the door during the closing motion. The system (1) ensures that the motion of the door (K) is absorbed in stages so that the door is slowed down when it is closing and it does not slam shut. Moreover the system (1) also eliminates the abrasion, wear and noise problems that might occur on the door (K) and/or the body of the home appliances (C) due to the opening and closing actions. The system is characterized in that the system enables angular movement according to the position of the door (K) as a difference to other systems. By means of this angular movement the pin (7) is placed on the bearing (21) located on the body of the hinge (2). Thus the damages that might occur on the door (K) are also prevented. Another characterization of the invention is that it comprises an second absorbing mechanism which absorbs the excessive loads applied on the damper (9) and prevents the damper from getting (9) damaged.