Dual-Spring Door Hinge with Snap-Hook for Fast Appliance Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door opening systems for domestic appliances are complex and slow, particularly those with horizontal axis hinges and hook mechanisms, which require strong springs and manual operation, limiting fast and efficient opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A door opening system with a support structure and pivoting door featuring a stationary hinge part and a pivoting hinge part, utilizing first and second spring elements to generate horizontal forces, allowing for rapid door rotation and automatic hook mechanism operation, eliminating the need for a door handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hook mechanism with strong spring is used to enable fast door opening, then the door opening speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hook mechanism from the door assembly and places it in the door frame, separating the locking function from the door structure. This reduces door complexity while maintaining fast opening capability through the spring-loaded hook that automatically disengages when the door is pulled.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage without manual intervention. The spring-loaded hook self-activates upon door movement, eliminating the need for manual handle operation and reducing the complexity of control mechanisms while maintaining fast opening speed.
2Ease of operation
If a manual button operation is used to disengage the hook, then the operation simplicity is improved, but the automation level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hook mechanism is designed to automatically disengage when the door is pulled, eliminating the need for manual button pressing. The spring-loaded design self-activates upon door movement, providing both automatic operation and ease of use without requiring separate control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook is pre-positioned in the engaged state during door closure, and the spring is pre-compressed to store energy. When the door is pulled, the stored energy automatically drives the hook disengagement, eliminating the need for separate manual activation and achieving both automation and operational simplicity.
3Volume of moving object
If the hinge components are placed inside the door, then the structural compactness is improved, but the door rotation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing hinge components inside the door, the patent inverts the arrangement by locating the stationary hinge part in the door frame and the pivoting hinge part on the door. This inversion optimizes the rotation axis position and moment of inertia, enabling faster door rotation while maintaining structural compactness through the horizontal hinge configuration.
4Speed
If a horizontal axis hinge is used for door pivoting, then the door opening speed is improved, but the balancing mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-based balancing mechanism that acts as a counterweight to gravity. The spring is positioned to provide lifting force during door opening, counterbalancing the door weight and enabling rapid rotation. This spring counterweight system achieves fast door opening while maintaining manageable complexity through efficient force distribution.
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 fast and simple opening and closing of domestic appliance doors with reduced complexity, allowing for quick rotation and automatic operation, while maintaining safety locking features.
Implementation Method 1
a small spring 30 pushes a cam 32 and a surface 8" with a vertical force
Implementation Method 2
The first spring element and the second spring element are provided for generating horizontal forces
Implementation Method 3
the force of gravity acting on the door in the opened state of the door
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a door opening system for a domestic appliance (10) including at least one pivoting door (12), comprising at least one door hinge (14) and at least one hook mechanism (16). The hook mechanism (16) includes a hook element (26) engaged with a recess (28) in a closed state of said door (12), so that the hook element (26) and the recess (28) form a snap-in mechanism. The hook element (26) is disengaged from the recess (28) by operating a control element or said hook element (26). The door hinge (14) includes a stationary (18) and a pivoting (20) hinge part. The stationary hinge part (18) is provided for a support structure of the domestic appliance (10), while the pivoting hinge part (20) is provided for the pivoting door (12). The stationary hinge part (18) is arranged horizontally inside or at the support structure of the domestic appliance (10) and comprises a first spring element (22). A second spring element (24) is formed as separate part. The second spring element (24) is arranged at a flange or door frame enclosing a cavity or at the pivoting door (12). The first (22) and second (24) spring elements are provided for generating horizontal forces in the mounted state of the door hinge (14) at the domestic appliance (10). The first spring element (22) keeps the door (12) balanced within an outer opening angular range of said door (12). The second spring element (24) generates an opening force for the door (12) within an inner opening angular range, so that the door (12) is pushed into a partially opened state. The inner opening angular range extends between a closed and the partially opened state of the door (12). The outer opening angular range extends between the partially and a completely opened state of the door (12).