Free Embedded Refrigerator Hinge Assembly for Increased Opening Degree
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators have limited opening-closing freedom due to fixed hinge parts, making it difficult to adapt to embedded application scenarios in modern home decoration styles where integration with cupboards or smart home systems is desired.
Innovation Solution
A free embedded refrigerator design featuring a hinge assembly with a switching mechanism that allows the door to rotate in situ and move away from the cabinet, increasing the opening degree by using a combination of first and second hinge parts and fitting portions that disengage and re-engage at specific angles, enabling greater flexibility in door movement.
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 components: a first hinge part fixed to the cabinet, a second hinge part fixed to the door, and a switching assembly connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions (rotation, translation, mode switching) independently, enabling complex door motion trajectories while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic system where the switching assembly can change the connection mode between the first and second hinge parts. The switching assembly includes movable components (such as a movable connection part that can slide between different positions) that allow the hinge to adapt its configuration based on the door opening angle, providing both rotation and translation capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If the door rotates in situ relative to the cabinet, then the opening degree is increased, but the door may interfere with other household items
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly introduces translation motion in addition to rotation, creating a two-dimensional motion trajectory for the door. The door can both rotate around the hinge axis and translate away from the cabinet body along the extension line of the rotation path. This dimensional change allows the door to clear obstacles and follow complex paths that avoid interference with surrounding household items
3Adaptability or versatility
If the door moves away from the cabinet in the first direction, then the opening degree is increased, but the door gravity center stability is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is positioned and designed to counterbalance the door's weight during movement. The first hinge part fixed to the cabinet and the second hinge part fixed to the door work together with the switching assembly to create a mechanical system that controls the door's center of gravity movement, preventing excessive swinging or toppling while allowing increased opening degree
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 enhanced opening degree allows for various motion tracks, adapting to different application scenarios and preventing interference with other household items, while also stabilizing the refrigerator by moving the door gravity center towards the cabinet, preventing toppling and falling.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge assembly drives the door to rotate in situ relative to the cabinet, then drives the door to move away from the cabinet in the first direction, and then drives the door to continuously rotate in situ
Implementation Method 2
when the door is in the opening process, the hinge assembly drives the door to move away from the cabinet in the first direction, and meanwhile, the hinge assembly drives the door gravity center to move towards the cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
A free embedded refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and a hinge assembly, the cabinet includes an accommodating chamber and an outer side surface, and a direction from the accommodating chamber towards the outer side surface serves as a first direction; the hinge assembly includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part and a switching assembly; when the door is in an opening process, the first hinge part moves relative to the switching assembly, and then, the second hinge part moves relative to the switching assembly; the hinge assembly drives the door to rotate in situ relative to the cabinet, then drives the door to move away from the cabinet in the first direction, and then drives the door to continuously rotate in situ. The refrigerator increases an opening-closing freedom degree of the door, and various motion tracks may be generated to adapt to different application scenarios.