Appliance Door Hinge Assembly with Cammed Rail and Intermediate Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinge assemblies for appliance doors often experience rough transitions between positions and require excessive force, and existing solutions fail to maintain intermediate positions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design featuring a housing member with a channel and wheels, a lever member, and a biasing element that includes a sliding block and grooved wheels interacting with a cammed rail area, allowing smooth movement and maintaining detent positions through a combination of mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a door provides an intermediate position between fully closed and fully opened positions, then the door may be more helpful when using the appliance, but the transition between positions may not be smooth and may require more force than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly segments the door movement into distinct phases using multiple wheels (first wheel, second wheel) that engage with different portions of the cammed surface. The cammed surface itself is segmented into a first portion and second portion, each controlling different aspects of the movement. This segmentation allows the door to achieve smooth transitions through controlled sequential engagement of these components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cammed surface incorporates curved geometric profiles that guide the wheels through controlled arcs of motion. The first cammed surface portion and second cammed surface portion use specific curvature variations to regulate the door's movement path, ensuring smooth transitions between closed, intermediate, and fully open positions while distributing the required force evenly throughout the operation.
2Ease of operation
If a hinge assembly structure is provided to overcome the rough transition problem, then the transition may be smoother, but the intermediate position may not be maintained as intended
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element acts as an intermediary force mechanism that works in conjunction with the cammed surface geometry to maintain the door at the intermediate position. The spring provides continuous pressure on the wheel, creating a stable equilibrium point where the door can be reliably held. This intermediary force system ensures that the intermediate position is both smooth to achieve and reliable to maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The cammed surface is designed with specific geometric parameter variations including angled portions, vertical portions, and curved portions at different locations. These parameter changes in the cam profile create distinct stable positions (closed, intermediate, fully open) by varying the mechanical advantage and force distribution at each position, allowing the door to be reliably held at the intermediate position while maintaining smooth transitions.
3Reliability
If a complex hinge assembly structure is used to maintain intermediate positions, then the intermediate position may be maintained effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly merges multiple functions into a unified structure: the cammed surface simultaneously controls door movement trajectory, creates intermediate positions, and works with the biasing element to maintain position stability. The traveling member integrates the wheel, sliding block, and spring mounting into a single component that moves along the cammed surface. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining reliable intermediate position maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cammed surface serves multiple functions: it guides the door through its full range of motion, creates the intermediate position detent, and works with the biasing element to provide stable positioning. The traveling member simultaneously provides wheel contact with the cammed surface, sliding contact with the side walls, and mounting for the biasing element. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving reliable intermediate position maintenance.
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 design enhances the smoothness of door movement, reduces the force required for transitions, and effectively maintains intermediate positions, such as the 'broil' position, by utilizing a cammed rail area and a biasing mechanism to control wheel movement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the sidewalls including a rail area for the at least wheel to roll against
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element extending between a second end of the arm portion and the bottom end of the housing member
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly includes a housing member, a lever member, a traveling member and a biasing member. The housing member includes a channel and a pivot. The lever member includes an outer portion, an inner portion, and a first intermediate point located therebetween. The lever member is pivotally coupled to the pivot at the first intermediate point. The traveling member includes a main portion that is configured to extend substantially along the housing member. A second intermediate point is located on the main portion, and the inner portion of the lever member is pivotally coupled to the second intermediate point. The main portion includes a sliding block and at least one grooved wheel at an end. The sliding block is configured to travel the channel sliding between the side walls, and at least one of the sidewalls includes a rail area for the at least wheel to roll against.