Appliance Hinge Dampening End Strokes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge devices for household appliances and furniture fail to dampen both the opening and closing end strokes of doors and do not allow adjustable damping amplitude or activation/deactivation of the braking effect.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a cradle and connecting rod mechanism that uses a linear damping means with sliding members and elastic components to slow down door end strokes, allowing adjustable damping and angular control, suitable for various door orientations and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single damper is used in known hinge devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping capability for both opening and closing end strokes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mechanism where the cradle can rotate relative to the first element, allowing the damping means to be activated for either opening or closing strokes depending on the door's position and motion direction. This dynamic configuration enables a single damper to effectively dampen both end strokes without requiring two separate dampers, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and damping reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the damping amplitude is fixed in known devices, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different door dimensions and orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable damping amplitude through the rotatable cradle mechanism and configurable connecting rod arrangement. The angular position of the cradle and the geometry of the connecting rod can be adjusted to modify the damping characteristics, allowing adaptation to different door dimensions and orientations while maintaining precise control over the damping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows changing key parameters such as the angular width of the damping section and the damping force characteristics by adjusting the cradle's rotation angle and the connecting rod's geometry. These parameter adjustments enable the same damping mechanism to adapt to various door configurations without requiring manufacturing different versions, thus achieving both precision and adaptability.
3Device complexity
If the braking effect is fixed in known devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for activating and deactivating damping is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic control mechanism where the cradle can be rotated to different angular positions to activate or deactivate the damping effect. This mechanical adjustment allows operators to easily control the braking effect by simply changing the cradle's angle, providing intuitive operation without complex electronic controls or multiple components.
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
Enables effective damping of both opening and closing end strokes with adjustable braking, balancing, and metastable positioning of doors, accommodating different door dimensions and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a damping means (21) whose length can vary elastically from a minimum to a maximum
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A hinged device with dampening of the opening (A) and/or closing (C) end strokes of a door of an appliance comprises a first element (3) to be fixed to a body of the apparatus and a second element (5) to be fixed to the door of said appliance. These first (3) and second (5) elements are hinged by a hinge pin (7) and the door rotates along the opening (A) and closing (C) end strokes and an intermediate (I) stroke around the hinge pin (7). The device (1) comprises a cradle means (11) sliding into the first element (3) and a connecting rod means (13) connected to the cradle means (11) and to the second element (5) for translation, following the door rotation, of the cradle means (11) which slidably houses a damping means (21) of length variable between a minimum and a maximum and provided with sliding members (25, 27) sliding into first slots (31) of the cradle means (11) and into second slots (33) of the first element (3) having a longitudinal extension at least equal to or preferably greater than that of the first slots (31) to which they are facing.