Domestic Appliance Hinge Assembly With Spring-Guiding Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
The contact between a spring and the internal wall of a cylinder in soft-close hinges for domestic appliances leads to noise and reduced component lifespan, due to lateral movement of the spring causing friction and wear.
Innovation Solution
A rod is positioned through the center of the coil spring, with its outer surface contacting the inner surface of the spring to prevent the spring from touching the cylinder wall, thereby supporting the spring and reducing lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long coil spring is used inside the cylinder to provide sufficient damping force, then the damping performance is improved, but the spring contacts the cylinder wall causing noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A rod is introduced as an intermediary element between the coil spring and the cylinder wall. The rod extends through the center of the coil spring and contacts its inner surface, preventing the spring from contacting the cylinder wall during compression. This mediator transfers the necessary mechanical interaction while eliminating harmful contact between the spring and cylinder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional problem (spring compression within cylinder diameter) to a three-dimensional solution by utilizing the central axis dimension. The rod occupies the central space along the spring's length, providing support in the radial direction while allowing axial compression to proceed uninterrupted.
2Force
If the spring is compressed to provide door closure force, then the door closure functionality is improved, but the spring moves laterally and contacts the cylinder wall
Solution Approach 1:
The rod serves as a stable intermediary that the spring can compress against without lateral movement. By providing a central support structure, the rod allows the spring to exert force in the intended axial direction while preventing lateral displacement that would cause contact with the cylinder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the rod changes the mechanical parameters of the spring system by providing radial constraint. This constraint modifies the spring's movement characteristics, allowing full compression travel while maintaining central alignment and preventing lateral deviation during the compression cycle.
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
This solution effectively reduces noise and extends the lifespan of the spring and cylinder by preventing direct contact, maintaining optimal damping performance and door closure functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring positioned inside the cylinder and around the rod
Implementation Method 2
the rod having an outer surface and being slidable relative to the cylinder in a reciprocating motion
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly is provided for pivotably attaching a door to a domestic appliance. The hinge assembly includes a damper cylinder; a rod partially located inside the cylinder and partially located outside the cylinder, the rod having an outer surface and being slidable relative to the cylinder in a reciprocating motion between a fully contracted position and a fully extended position; and a coil spring positioned inside the cylinder and around the rod such that the rod extends through a center of the coil spring, the coil spring having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the rod contacts the inner surface of the coil spring to prevent the outer surface of the coil spring from contacting the inside surface of the cylinder.