Appliance Door Hinge With Elastic Opening Stop for Impact Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance door hinges with opening-limiting mechanisms are either complex, expensive, or fail to absorb kinetic energy effectively, leading to potential damage when the door is forced open.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with an opening-limiting body that converts kinetic energy into spring energy through elastic deformation, featuring a leg that bends elastically when the door is struck, distributing forces and preventing damage by cushioning excessive stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid opening-limiting body is used to define the maximum opening position, then the opening angle is precisely limited, but the door slams open very hard and can be damaged due to inability to absorb kinetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
The opening-limiting body is designed with an elastically deformable leg that bends when the door reaches its maximum opening position. This elastic deformation absorbs the kinetic energy of the door before impact, cushioning the stopping action and preventing damage. The leg springs back after the door stops, ready for the next opening cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening-limiting body transitions from a rigid structure to one with elastically deformable components. The leg's elasticity allows it to change its mechanical properties dynamically - rigid during normal operation for precise angle limitation, but flexible during impact to absorb energy through bending deformation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-joint hinges with articulated arms are used to limit opening angle, then the opening angle is precisely controlled, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive with considerable installation depth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the opening limitation function from a complex multi-joint hinge mechanism and implements it through a simple elastic leg structure attached to the door. This separates the angle limitation function from the hinge rotation mechanism, allowing each to be optimized independently - the hinge provides free rotation while the elastic leg provides precise angle limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic leg structure serves multiple functions: it limits the opening angle, absorbs kinetic energy during closing, and provides a simple attachment point between the door and body. This multi-functional design replaces several separate components that would be needed in a conventional hinge system.
3Reliability
If conventional opening-limiting devices are used to prevent door damage, then the maximum opening position is defined, but kinetic energy is not effectively absorbed leading to potential damage when door is forced open
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic leg is positioned to engage with the door at the maximum opening position, providing cushioning before the door can slam or be forced open. The elastic deformation absorbs kinetic energy progressively, preventing sudden impact damage while maintaining reliable opening angle limitation.
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 design provides a simple, cost-effective solution that cushions the door's opening forces, reducing stress and preventing damage while allowing for a larger opening angle without compromising structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the opening restricting body is designed to convert at least part of the kinetic energy of the door into spring energy of the opening restricting body when the door is slammed in the opening restricted position, with the opening restricting body visibly deforming elastically
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) having a body (4) and a door (2) pivotally mounted on the body (4) by at least one hinge, and having a body limiting the opening (30) and comprising at least two segments (32, 34), of which a first segment (32) is held on the body (4) in a limited-opening position of the door (2), and of which a second segment (34) is fixed on the door (2). The body limiting the opening (30) is designed such that when the door (2) strikes in the limited opening position, said body converts at least one part the kinetic energy of the door (2) into spring energy of the body limiting the opening (30), wherein the body limiting the opening (30) visible elastically deforms.