Front-Door Hinge Assembly With Continuously Adjustable Spring Preload
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hinge assemblies for front-loading dishwashers have complex and limited adjustable door-weight balancing mechanisms, requiring users to operate multiple mechanisms and allowing only discrete adjustments, which complicates on-site tuning and does not provide a continuous adjustment of the hampering effect.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a door-weight balancing device featuring a compression-preloaded helical spring and an adjustable spacer element, allowing continuous adjustment of the compression preload via a single mechanism accessible from the front wall, enabling precise control of the door's lowering speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door-weight balancing device with multiple adjusting mechanisms is used, then the door weight can be balanced, but the adjustment process becomes complicated and requires operating multiple mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adjusting mechanisms (front screw and internal sleeve) into a single integrated adjusting mechanism that is directly accessible from the front wall. This merging eliminates the complexity of operating separate mechanisms while maintaining the door weight balancing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single adjusting mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides continuous adjustment of the hampering effect, allows on-site tuning without disassembly, and replaces what were previously two separate mechanisms. This multi-functionality simplifies the adjustment process while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a standard door-weight balancing device is used, then the door lowering speed is controlled, but on-site adjustment is limited to discrete steps and requires replacement for heavy doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic tuning of the door lowering speed on-site. The adjusting mechanism can be operated to provide any value within a predetermined range, transforming the static discrete adjustments into a dynamic continuous adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the adjustment parameter from discrete steps to continuous values. The single adjusting mechanism allows the hampering effect to be tuned to any value within a predetermined range, providing adaptability for different door weights including particularly heavy covering panels without requiring replacement of the entire hinge assembly.
3Device complexity
If the adjusting mechanism is integrated into the hinge assembly, then the structure is compact, but the adjustment may not be easily accessible from the front wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the front wall as an intermediary element that provides access to the adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism is positioned such that it can be operated through or from the front wall, serving as a mediator between the user and the internal hinge assembly components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting mechanism is pre-positioned and configured during manufacturing to be accessible from the front wall, eliminating the need for disassembly or complex access procedures. This preliminary arrangement ensures ease of operation while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
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 easy, precise, and continuous adjustment of the door's lowering speed, simplifying on-site tuning and improving user accessibility, while being cost-effective and integrated into the assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a door-weight balancing device which is interposed between the first and the second coupling plate and it is structured for elastically hampering rotation of the second coupling plate
Implementation Method 2
A hinge assembly with a door-weight balancing device featuring a compression-preloaded helical spring
Implementation Method 3
allowing continuous adjustment of the compression preload via a single mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Hinge assembly for household appliances having an horizontally-pivoted front door, and which comprises: a first coupling element; a second coupling element; and a door-weight balancing device; the door-weight balancing device in turn comprising a supporting rod; a compression-preloaded elastically-deformable member which is fitted to the supporting rod so as to have a first end firmly fixed to the distal end of the supporting rod and a second end; a linking mechanism which connects the proximal end of the supporting rod to the second coupling element, so that the supporting rod is axially moved to further compress the elastically-deformable member when the second coupling element rotates from the first to the second working position; and an adjustable spacer element which is structured so to allow a manually-operated adjustment, thus varying the compression preload of the elastically-deformable member fitted on the supporting rod.