Appliance Hinge with Crank-Link Damping for Door Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges for refrigerators do not dampen the closing and opening speeds of doors, leading to potential damage and issues with doors remaining ajar, which can cause negative consequences.
Innovation Solution
A compact hinge device with a vertical axis that incorporates a damping mechanism using a crank, connecting rod, and linear damper to control the door's speed, along with a resilient mechanism for applying elastic forces, allowing for adjustable braking and metastable positioning, suitable for both vertical and horizontal axis doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hinges are used for refrigerator doors, then the structure is simple, but the door closing speed cannot be dampened causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge mechanism with a damping system into a single integrated device. The hinge pin is equipped with a damper that includes a piston and viscous fluid, merging the support function with the speed control function. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable door closing control while keeping the overall structure compact and integrated rather than adding separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a viscous fluid as an intermediary substance within the damper to control door closing speed. The viscous fluid acts as a mediator between the moving door and the hinge mechanism, providing damping force through fluid resistance. This resolves the contradiction by enabling speed control through a simple fluid-based mechanism rather than complex mechanical components.
2Reliability
If conventional hinges without damping are used, then the device complexity is low, but the door may remain ajar causing negative consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hinge mechanism dynamic by incorporating a movable piston within the damper that responds to door closing speed. The damping force automatically adjusts based on the motion state of the door, providing stronger resistance at higher speeds and allowing controlled closure at lower speeds. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable door closure assurance through dynamic speed-dependent damping rather than static mechanical stops or additional actuators.
3Reliability
If a damping mechanism is added to the hinge, then the door closing speed can be controlled, but the overall device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the piston and damping components inside the existing hinge structure. The damper is integrated within the hinge assembly, with the piston moving within the hinge housing or a compact cylindrical chamber. This resolves the contradiction by providing closing speed control while minimizing volume increase through nested integration of damping components within the existing hinge footprint.
4Reliability
If a damping mechanism is added to the hinge, then the closing speed can be dampened, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a viscous fluid as a simple, inexpensive damping medium that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The fluid-based damping mechanism avoids expensive precision mechanical components, sensors, or electronic controls. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable speed damping through a cost-effective fluid-based solution that is simple to manufacture and maintain.
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 solution effectively dampens the door's closing and opening speeds, preventing damage and ensuring proper closure, while reducing overall dimensions and costs, and can be installed in various appliances and furnishings.
Implementation Method 1
a linear damper (31) of the type having an internally provided body with a chamber having a fluid and in which a piston equipped with a stem projects externally from said body, wherein the fluid acts with viscous friction onto the piston
Implementation Method 2
a resilient means (15) connected to said first element (3) and acting onto said crank means (11) to transmit to the latter a resilient force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hinge device for appliances and furnishings with end speed damping, of closing or opening, and with pre-fixed angular sectors of opening and/or elastic closure. The hinge device (1) comprises, in an operative condition of assembly to the appliance, a first element (3) fixed to a body (F) of the apparatus and a second element (5) fixed to a door (D) of said apparatus. These elements first (3) and second (5) are mutually connected by a hinge pivot (7) for the rotation of the door between the opening (A) and closing (C) conditions. The device (1) comprises a crank means (11) connected to the first element (3) by means of a first rotation pin (13) and comprises a connecting rod means (17) having an end rotatably connected to the second element (5). This connecting rod means (17) is also rotatably connected to the crank means (11) by means of a third rotation pin (21). The portion of the connecting rod means (17) carrying the third rotation pin (21) has an arm means (27) protruding in the opposite direction to the second rotation pin (19) intended to move in a closing direction at least at the end portion of the door closing rotation (D). The device comprises a damper means (31) which meets with a mobile element (37) of the damper means (31) damping the translation of the connecting rod means (17) and the rotation of the end portion for closing the door.