Door Hinge Damping Cartridge for Adaptable Appliance Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for electrical household appliances face challenges in integrating effective damping members due to limited space, increased costs, and difficulty in modifying features or operation to adapt to different door weights or damping needs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with a damping member housed in a removable cartridge outside the box-shaped element, featuring a helical spring and a control rod system, allowing modular adaptation of damping characteristics without altering the box-shaped structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If damping members are inserted inside the box-shaped body to make the hinge compact, then the hinge size is reduced, but the material cost and moulding complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into separate functional modules: the box-shaped body and the damping member are designed as independent components. The damping member is housed in a removable cartridge that attaches to the exterior of the box-shaped body, allowing each component to be manufactured separately using standard moulding processes without requiring complex integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable cartridge serves as an intermediary component between the box-shaped body and the damping member. This cartridge houses the damping member and attaches to the exterior of the box-shaped body, eliminating the need to modify the box-shaped body's internal structure while maintaining a compact overall design.
2Device complexity
If damping members are inserted inside the box-shaped body, then the hinge structure is simplified, but the ability to modify damping features adapts to different door weights is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge design incorporates a removable cartridge that allows the damping member to be dynamically changed based on requirements. Different damping members can be inserted into the cartridge to adapt to different door weights and damping needs, while the overall hinge structure remains unchanged and simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping characteristics can be modified by changing the damping member parameters (such as viscosity, oration size, or spring constant) while keeping the hinge structure constant. The removable cartridge enables easy replacement of damping members with different parameters to match different application requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If damping members are placed outside the box-shaped element in a removable cartridge, then adaptability to different damping needs is improved, but the hinge complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into the box-shaped body and a separate removable cartridge containing the damping member. This segmentation allows the damping system to be independently modified without affecting the main hinge structure, providing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cartridge serves multiple functions: it houses the damping member, provides a standardized interface for attachment to the box-shaped body, and enables easy replacement of damping members. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and maintains overall structural simplicity.
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 practical and cost-effective integration of damping members, facilitating easy modification and adaptation to different door weights or damping requirements without requiring new designs.
Implementation Method 1
The first helical spring (5) is designed to generate, with a relative deformation, an elastic reaction force to compensate at least partially the weight force of the door during the opening or closing of the door.
Implementation Method 2
The damping member (12) is designed for applying a damping action during the reciprocal motion of the first lever (2) and of the box-shaped element (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 3a~7
AI summary
Described is a hinge for doors of electrical household appliances, comprising a first lever (2) and a box-shaped element (3) pivoted to each other and movable relative to each other in a tiltable fashion, fixable one to a frame and the other to a door of an electrical household appliance, to make the door movable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, a first elastic element (5) connected to the first lever (5) and designed to generate, with a relative deformation, an elastic reaction force designed to compensate at least partially the weight force of the door during the opening or closing of the door, a damping member (12) housed inside a containment cartridge (11). (FIGURE 2)