Double-Door Refrigerator Hinge for Sealing and Collision Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with double doors face challenges in maintaining effective sealing to prevent cold air leakage, particularly due to the need to limit the maximum opening degree of both doors to avoid collision with the main body's lateral side.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hinge unit with elastic levers and stopping members that limit the opening angles of both doors, ensuring they remain in close contact with the main body, thereby preventing cold air leakage and collision with the lateral side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the first door and second door are rotatably coupled to allow opening, then the doors can be opened for access, but the doors may collide with the lateral side of the main body when opened to a large angle
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping member is pre-positioned on the hinge unit to limit the maximum opening angle of the first and second doors. This preliminary constraint prevents the doors from being opened to an angle that would cause collision with the lateral side of the main body, while still allowing sufficient opening for access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening angle of the first door and second door is limited to prevent collision, then door collision is prevented, but the sealing force between the first door and main body may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic lever acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that applies elastic force to the first door in the closed position direction. This elastic force compensates for the reduced sealing force caused by the limited opening angle constraint, ensuring that the first door maintains adequate sealing contact with the main body when closed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If stopping members are added to limit door opening angles, then door collision is prevented, but the hinge unit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopping member is integrated into the hinge unit structure, combining the door rotation function with the opening angle limitation function in a single component assembly. This merging approach prevents door collision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides rotational movement for door opening/closing, limits the maximum opening angle through the integrated stopping member, and maintains sealing force through the elastic lever. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
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
This configuration enhances the sealing efficiency of the refrigerator doors, reducing cold air leakage and preventing door collisions with the main body's lateral side, thereby improving energy efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic levers may be coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion of the first door, respectively, and upon the first door being closed, may be configured to transfer an elastic force in a direction in which the first door is closed.
Implementation Method 2
A cam member having a cam surface may be coupled to the first upper hinge such that the first elastic lever makes contact with the cam surface and accumulates an elastic force when the first door is closed, and transfers the elastic force to the first door.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a first door that is rotatably disposed in front of the main body and has an opening, a door guard disposed in the opening, a second door that is rotatably disposed in front of the first door, opens/closes the opening, and is rotated in the same direction as the first door, first hinges coupling the first door rotatably to the main body, and second hinges coupling the second door rotatably to the first door, elastic levers coupled to the first door applying an elastic force in a direction in which the first door is closed, and a first stopping member coupled to the first door to limit an angle at which the first door is opened and a second stopping member coupled to the second door to limit an angle at which the second door is opened.