Door Deceleration Mechanism for Built-in Fridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door mechanisms in built-in household appliances, such as fridges, often result in doors closing too quickly, leading to potential injury and increased heat transfer, and current spring-based solutions suffer from unnecessary fatigue and space inefficiency, as well as the need for additional structural members.
Innovation Solution
A door deceleration mechanism comprising five interconnecting arms and a damping system that uses a flexible damping arm and guide arm to slow down door closure, eliminating the need for springs and distributing loads for enhanced strength and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring mechanism is used to decelerate door closure, then the door closing speed is reduced and safety is improved, but the spring suffers from continuous tension and fatigue, reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring mechanism from the door closing system entirely. Instead of using a spring to provide deceleration force, the invention employs a damping mechanism that dissipates energy through controlled resistance, eliminating the fatigue problem associated with continuous spring tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical deceleration system with a damping mechanism. The damping mechanism uses a damper element that provides velocity-dependent resistance, substituting the spring's elastic force with a damping force that dissipates kinetic energy without subjecting any component to continuous cyclic loading.
2Speed
If a spring mechanism is used for door deceleration, then closing speed is controlled, but additional intermediate members are required, increasing device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for intermediate members by integrating the damping mechanism directly into the door hinge assembly. The damper element is positioned to work in conjunction with the hinge mechanism, removing the requirement for separate intermediate components that would otherwise be needed to transmit and modulate the spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the damping function with the existing hinge mechanism by integrating the damper element into the hinge assembly. This merging of functions allows the door closing system to achieve deceleration without adding separate intermediate members, as the damper works in conjunction with the hinge's existing structural elements.
3Force
If a spring is installed in all angular positions during door movement, then closing force is generated, but unnecessary tension continues in open positions, causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a damping mechanism that provides velocity-dependent resistance rather than a spring that provides position-dependent force. The damper automatically adjusts its resistance based on the door's closing speed, providing maximum deceleration force when needed and minimal resistance when the door is stationary or moving slowly, thereby eliminating unnecessary tension in open positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-based force generation system with a damping system that does not maintain continuous tension. The damper dissipates energy through viscous or frictional resistance rather than storing elastic potential energy, eliminating the cyclic loading that causes spring fatigue and extends component life.
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 mechanism effectively decelerates door closure, preventing injuries and heat transfer while reducing mechanical fatigue and space requirements, thereby extending the appliance's operational life and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a damping arm (8) which is connected on the third arm (6) from one side such that it can rotate freely and to the second arm (5) by the pin (51) passing inside a linear channel shaped slot (81) provided thereon from the other side, which makes rotary motion centered around the third arm (6) during the closing movement of the door, and which decelerates the closing movement of the cover with a flexing motion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a door deceleration mechanism (1) which essentially comprises at least one fixed bracket (2) which is fixed on the volume on which the door is closed, an upper bracket (3) which is fixed on the door, at least one first arm (4) which is connected on the fixed bracket (2) from one side, and which can freely rotate centered around the connection point, at least one second arm (5) which is connected on the upper bracket (3) from one side and on the first arm (4) from the other side, at least one third arm (6) which can freely rotate through the connection points of the first arm (4) and the upper bracket (3), at least one guide arm (7) which is connected to the fixed bracket (2) from one side and to the third arm (6) from the other side, which can freely rotate through the connection points, and which guides the third arm (6) during the opening and closing movement of the door; which prevents the doors from closing too fast especially in built-in fridges and similar household appliances.