Hinge assembly and opening and closing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Freezer doors are laborious to open due to gravity and may not close tightly, leading to air leakage and increased energy consumption, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly with a first and second matching member, featuring curved surfaces that rotate relative to each other, providing opposing forces to assist in opening and closing the door, reducing the effort required to open and ensuring a secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door body is opened upward against gravity, then the door can be opened, but it becomes laborious to open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidopening force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly incorporates a force-generating mechanism (curved surfaces with axial force) that produces an upward counteracting force to balance the door body's gravity during opening, reducing the effort required by the user to lift the door against gravity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Ease of operation

If the door body closes under gravity, then it closes automatically, but it may fall fast causing severe collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic closingVSAvoidcollision impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly's curved surfaces are designed to generate a downward pressing force during the closing process that progressively increases as the door approaches the closed position, cushioning the closing action and preventing rapid descent and severe collision before the door fully closes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If the door seal compensation is insufficient, then the structure is simpler, but the door body does not close tightly causing air leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal compensation structureVSAvoidclosing tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly generates a downward pressing force on the door body during the closing process that enhances the sealing contact between the door and cabinet before the door is fully closed, ensuring tight closure and preventing air leakage without requiring additional seal compensation structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates easier opening and reduces the risk of rapid door closure, improving user experience by minimizing air leakage and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a first curved surface and a second curved surface are provided at an end of the first matching member; a third curved surface and a fourth curved surface are provided at an end of the second matching member... the first curved surface abuts against and is matched with the third curved surface to make the first matching member and the second matching member have a first acting force under an axial force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP4481150A1Hinge assembly and opening and closing device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4481150A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4481150A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4481150A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to the field of household appliance technologies and discloses a hinge assembly and an opening and closing device. The hinge assembly includes a first matching member and a second matching member rotatably connected. The first matching member has a first curved surface and a second curved surface at one end, and the second matching member has a third curved surface and a fourth curved surface at one end. The first matching member and the second matching member have a first state and a second state. The first matching member and the second matching member are rotatable relative to each other around a first axis to be switchable between the first state and the second state. In the first state, the first curved surface abuts against and is matched with the third curved surface. In the second state, the second curved surface abuts against and is matched with the fourth curved surface. The hinge assembly may utilize different states to assist in opening the door body of the opening and closing device, and to provide pressure when the door is closed, which improves the customer experience and the sealing of the opening and closing device in a closed state.