Hinge and opening and closing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freezer hinges are complex and occupy large space, making them laborious to open and close, and increasing transportation costs due to reduced loading capacity.
Innovation Solution
A hinge with a sliding member and elastic member that provides relative rotational force between the hinge seats, assisting in opening and closing the door while minimizing space occupation, comprising a first hinge seat with a matching structure, a second hinge seat with an accommodating cavity, and an elastic member that applies thrust to the sliding member to facilitate rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an auxiliary structure is provided on the hinge to assist door opening and prevent rapid closing, then the door opening/closing process is improved, but the hinge structure becomes complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the auxiliary structure directly with the hinge seat, integrating the door assistance function into the hinge body rather than using separate components. The first accommodating cavity and elastic member are built into the hinge seat structure, merging multiple functions into a unified component that reduces overall complexity while maintaining assistance capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge seat is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the structural support for door mounting, houses the elastic member for assistance, contains the sliding member for motion control, and integrates the accommodating cavity for component organization. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate auxiliary structures.
2Ease of operation
If an auxiliary structure is provided on the hinge to assist door opening and prevent rapid closing, then the door opening/closing process is improved, but the hinge occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the sliding member and elastic member within the accommodating cavity of the hinge seat. The sliding member is positioned inside the cavity, and the elastic member is arranged within the same cavity space, creating a compact nested configuration that minimizes the overall volume occupied by the hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodating cavity extends in the first direction, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The elastic member and sliding member are arranged along different dimensions within the cavity, optimizing space utilization and reducing the external footprint of the hinge while maintaining all necessary functional components.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge structure is made complex with auxiliary structures, then door assistance is improved, but the assembly process requires more labor
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the auxiliary structure with the hinge seat into a unified component, the patent reduces the number of separate parts that need to be assembled. The integrated design allows for fewer assembly steps and less labor compared to assembling multiple separate auxiliary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge is segmented into functional modules: the hinge seat with integrated accommodating cavity, the sliding member with matching structures, and the elastic member. This modular segmentation within the integrated design allows for standardized manufacturing and simplified assembly processes while maintaining the complex functional capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If the hinge occupies more space, then door assistance function is improved, but the number of freezers that can be loaded on transport decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of components within the accommodating cavity minimizes the hinge's external dimensions, reducing the space each freezer unit occupies during transportation and increasing loading capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the accommodating cavity and component arrangements to minimize the hinge's footprint while maintaining functional performance, enabling more compact packaging and higher transport efficiency.
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 hinge simplifies the assembly process, reduces space occupation, increases loading capacity, and decreases transportation costs by providing assistance in opening and closing the door while balancing the door's gravity, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, provided in the first accommodating cavity and located at an end of the sliding member facing away from the first matching structure, where the elastic member applies a thrust to the sliding member to move the sliding member towards the first matching structure
Implementation Method 2
the hinge has a first state and a second state, and the first hinge seat is reciprocally rotatable relative to the second hinge seat around an axis extending in the first direction within a predetermined angle range, so as to slide the first matching structure relative to the second matching structure and switch the hinge between the first state and the second state
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present application relates to the field of household appliances and discloses a hinge and an opening and closing device. The hinge includes a first hinge seat, a second hinge seat, a sliding member, and an elastic member. The first hinge seat has a first matching structure, the first matching structure has a first curved surface and a first matching surface; the second hinge seat has a first accommodating cavity extending in a first direction, an end of the first accommodating cavity having a first opening; the sliding member is provided in the first accommodating cavity and the sliding member may slide in the first direction. The sliding member has a second matching structure, the second matching structure has a second curved surface and a second matching surface, and the second matching structure is connected to the first matching structure through the first opening; the elastic member is provided in the first accommodating cavity and is located at an end of the sliding member away from the first matching structure. The elastic member applies a thrust to the sliding member to move towards the first matching structure; the hinge in the present application enhances the user experience and reduces transportation costs of the opening and closing device.