Appliance Door Hinge Drive With Manual Release and Opening Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive devices for appliance doors, particularly in cooling and refrigerating appliances, face challenges in efficiently and reliably pivoting the door while allowing for manual operation in case of motor failure, and require high torque for initial opening.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a hinge, electric motor, transmission element, and coupling device that includes a coupling actuator, allowing for motor-driven pivoting and manual operation, utilizing a threaded nut and spindle for efficient force transmission, and an opening aid for initial door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a drive motor is integrated into the hinge for motor-driven door pivoting, then automation and convenience are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor is integrated directly into the hinge assembly, merging the actuation mechanism with the pivot mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and complex transmission systems, achieving motor-driven door pivoting while controlling structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the pivot axis for door rotation, houses the drive motor, and includes a coupling device that enables both automated and manual operation modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
2Reliability
If a coupling device is added to enable manual operation during motor failure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device dynamically switches between two operational states: engaged mode for automated motor-driven operation and disengaged mode for manual operation. This dynamic configurability provides reliability through manual backup while maintaining relatively simple structure through state-based functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a threaded nut and spindle transmission system is used for efficient force transmission, then mechanical efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct rotational drive with a threaded nut and spindle mechanism that converts rotational motion to linear motion for actuating the door. This mechanical substitution provides efficient force transmission through the self-locking property of threaded connections, while standard manufacturing tolerances can be used.
4Ease of operation
If an opening aid is added to facilitate initial door opening, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening aid performs preliminary action by providing an initial force to overcome the static friction and seal resistance when the door is closed. This preliminary action facilitates the subsequent motor-driven or manual opening operation, improving ease of operation while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 efficient, motor-driven door pivoting with high torque capability and allows for manual operation in case of motor failure, while reducing the number of parts, weight, and cost, and facilitating easy initial door opening.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a threaded nut and spindle for efficient force transmission
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement of a drive device on a door that can be arranged such that it is pivotable on a housing of an appliance, particularly a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance, in which the drive device designed to pivot the door in relation to the housing is mounted on the door, said drive device comprising: a hinge comprising at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part which is attached to the housing; at least one drive motor; at least one transmission element which is coupled to the hinge in an at least indirectly articulated manner and can be at least indirectly driven by means of the drive motor; and a coupling device that can switch between at least one coupling state in which the transmission element is coupled to the drive motor and at least one uncoupling state.