Cooking Appliance Door Hinge Buffer for Quiet Door Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave ovens generate noise when the door is closed due to the impact, which existing designs fail to adequately mitigate.

Innovation Solution

A buffer member is fixed to the hinge unit of the door, comprising a fixing hook and a buffer part that contacts the hinge unit to absorb the impact, reducing noise through its elastic contact when the door is closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a buffer member is added to reduce door closure noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is integrated with the hinge unit by fixing it to the second coupling part, merging the noise reduction function into the existing hinge structure rather than adding a separate independent mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer member acts as an intermediary element between the door and hinge unit, providing elastic contact to absorb impact energy and reduce noise during door closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a buffer member is added to reduce door closure noise, then noise reduction is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member is made of plastic material, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, providing an cost-effective solution for noise reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating the buffer member with the hinge unit structure, the patent avoids the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes that would increase costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple fixing hooks are provided for the buffer member, then fixing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fixing hooks are provided at specific locations on the buffer member to enhance fixing reliability at critical points without requiring complex overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 buffer member effectively reduces noise and manufacturing costs by absorbing the impact of the door closure, enhancing the user experience and operational quietness.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer part to buffer the impact by contacting the hinge unit when the door is closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11460194B2Cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a cooking appliance capable of reducing noise generated when a door is closed using a buffer member that is easily fixed to a hinge unit. The cooking appliance includes a main body, a cooking chamber provided to have a front surface opened inside the main body, a door to open and close the cooking chamber, a hinge unit coupled to the main body to rotatably support the door, and a buffer member fixed to the door to buffer an impact generated when the door is closed by contacting the hinge unit when the door is closed.