Hinged Refrigeration Access Panel With Multi-Axis Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access panels for refrigerated appliances are often difficult to access, heavy, and limited in movement, requiring excessive clearance and being prone to fatigue due to single-axis hinges, which complicates maintenance and installation.
Innovation Solution
A hinged access panel system with a linkage system that allows both rotational and translational movement, featuring a latch to retain the panel in the open position, enabling multi-axis movement and concealed hinges for improved accessibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-axis hinge is used to couple the panel to the frame, then the panel can be rotated to an open position, but the panel requires excessive clearance and is prone to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple independent components: a first arm coupled to the frame, a second arm coupled to the panel, and a linkage system with multiple links connecting them. This segmentation allows the hinge to achieve complex multi-axis movement through coordinated motion of individual links, eliminating the fatigue problems of single-axis hinges while providing both rotational and translational movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge transitions from single-axis rotation to multi-axis movement by incorporating a linkage system that enables movement in multiple dimensions. The panel can now rotate and translate simultaneously, moving from a simple arcual path to a more complex trajectory that accommodates limited clearance requirements while maintaining smooth operation.
2Reliability
If fasteners are used to mount the access panel, then the panel can be securely attached, but the fasteners are visible or difficult to access or remove
Solution Approach 1:
The visible fasteners are extracted and replaced with a hinge mechanism that allows the panel to be attached and detached through rotational movement. The linkage system provides secure attachment when closed while enabling easy removal by simply rotating the panel to the open position, eliminating the need to access or manipulate hidden fasteners.
3Device complexity
If a hinge provides only single-axis rotation, then the structure is simple, but excessive clearance is required between the panel and its environment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge adds dimensional complexity to the movement pattern, transitioning from single-axis rotation to multi-axis motion with both rotational and translational components. This allows the panel to achieve the necessary clearance with adjacent components through a combination of movement types rather than requiring excessive clearance space with simple rotation.
4Strength
If the access panel is made heavy for larger refrigeration systems, then the panel provides adequate support and attachment, but the panel becomes unwieldy when being removed and reattached
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge introduces dynamic movement capability to the panel assembly, allowing heavy panels to be easily manipulated through rotational motion. The linkage system provides mechanical advantage and guided movement, making it feasible to remove and reattach heavy panels without requiring excessive manual handling effort, while the latch mechanism ensures secure positioning when closed.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated appliance with a hinged access panel is disclosed. The refrigerated appliance comprises a frame, the panel, and one or more hinges coupling the panel to the frame. Each hinge has a linkage that guides the movement of the panel between a closed position and an open position. The movement of the linkage has a linear component and a rotational component. The refrigerated appliance may include a latch configured to retain the panel in the open position. The refrigerated appliance may include one or more biasing elements configured to bias the panel toward the open position.