Free Embedded Refrigerator Hinge Assembly for Multi-Axis Door Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators have limited opening-closing freedom due to fixed hinge parts, making it difficult to adapt to various application scenarios, especially in embedded refrigerator applications where style integration and smart home setups require more flexibility in door motion tracks.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a switching mechanism that allows the door to rotate in situ multiple times, using a combination of first and second hinge parts and a switching assembly to freely select rotation axes, enabling the door to open to different angles and adapt to various application scenarios by switching between locking and unlocking functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed hinge part is used to connect the door and cabinet, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the opening-closing freedom degree is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into multiple independent parts: first hinge part (fixed to cabinet), second hinge part (fixed to door), and switching assembly (with locking and unlocking functions). This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic system that can switch between different operational states (locked and unlocked). The switching assembly enables the door to dynamically change its motion track, allowing rotation around different axes based on operational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed hinge part is used, then the manufacturing is easy, but the door cannot adapt to different application scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed as a universal mechanism that can accommodate multiple application scenarios (embedded refrigerators, smart home setups, different door configurations) through a single design. The switching assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling different motion tracks without requiring separate hinge designs for each application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the door rotates in situ multiple times with switching mechanism, then the motion track freedom is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge parts and switching assembly are nested together in a compact configuration. The first hinge part, second hinge part, and switching assembly are integrated in a space-efficient manner, allowing the complex functionality to be contained within a compact structure that does not excessively increase overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A free embedded refrigerator (100) which includes a cabinet (10), a door (20) for opening and closing the cabinet (10), and a hinge assembly (30) for connecting the cabinet (10) and the door (20). The hinge assembly (30) includes a first hinge part (31), a second hinge part (32) and a switching assembly (40) connected with the first hinge part (31) and the second hinge part (32). When the door (20) is in an opening process, the first hinge part (31) moves relative to the switching assembly (40) to drive the door (20) to rotate in situ relative to the cabinet (10), and then, the switching assembly (40) drives the second hinge part (32) to move relative to the switching assembly (40) to drive the door (20) to continuously rotate in situ. The refrigerator (100) can adjust opening-closing freedom degree of the door (20), and various motion tracks may be generated to adapt to different application scenarios.