Domestic Appliance Hinge With Cam And Follower Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for domestic appliances do not allow for a predetermined sequence of door movements, which can lead to damage to the sealing gasket and inefficient opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a rocker lever and articulated arm with guide means, including a cam and follower, that enables a specific sequence of movements, such as lifting and then lowering, to avoid gasket damage and ensure effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hinge mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door cannot move according to a predetermined sequence of movements
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism employs dynamic elements including a rocker lever that oscillates, an articulated arm that rotates, and guide means with cam and follower that convert rotational motion into controlled linear motion. These dynamic components work together to automatically guide the door through a predetermined sequence of movements (lifting away from the body, then lowering) without requiring complex external control systems.
2Ease of operation
If the door is opened directly without lifting, then the opening operation is simpler, but the sealing gasket at the bottom of the door is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism performs a preliminary action by automatically lifting the door away from the appliance body before the door is fully opened. This preliminary lifting movement separates the bottom edge of the door (and its sealing gasket) from the appliance frame, preventing the gasket from being scraped or damaged during the subsequent opening motion. The guide means with cam and follower specifically controls this preliminary lifting phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If guide means with cam and follower are added, then the door movement sequence is controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means consisting of a cam and follower acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rocker lever and the articulated arm. The cam (attached to one component) and follower (attached to the other) translate the oscillating motion of the rocker lever into controlled rotational motion of the articulated arm, thereby mediating the motion transfer and enabling precise control of the door's movement sequence without requiring complex electronic or hydraulic systems.
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 allows for controlled door movement sequences that prevent gasket damage and maintain sealing integrity, enhancing the reliability and durability of domestic appliance doors.
Implementation Method 1
the guide means (6,7) connecting the lever 2 to the articulated arm 20 comprise a cam 6 and a follower 7
Implementation Method 2
elastic means 12 which are operatively coupled to the articulated arm 20 so as to apply, in use, a retaining action on the door
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A hinge for a door of a domestic appliance comprises at least a first member (4) and a second member (8), one of either the first member (4) or the second member (8) being fixable, in use, to the door so that the door can be opened or closed by tilting relative to the frame of the domestic appliance, and the other of either the first member (4) or the second member (8) being fixable, in use, to the frame of the domestic appliance, the hinge (1) comprising: an articulated arm (20), which is connected to the first member (4) and to the second member (8); a lever (2), which is connected to the first member (4) and to the second member (8); guide means (6,7) connecting the lever (2) to the articulated arm (20) and configured to allow relative movement of the articulated arm (20) and of the lever (2) during the movement of the first member (4) relative to the second member (8).