Microwave Oven Door Hinge With Spring-Assisted Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current door opening mechanisms for microwave ovens lack the sophistication and damping effect required for high-end applications, necessitating a more advanced and reliable design.

Innovation Solution

A door opening structure featuring a hinge system with torsional springs and a hydraulic damper, where the hinge upper part is connected to a damper and the door body assembly is hinged with the oven body, providing a smooth and safe opening mechanism with controlled damping and a rational structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple door opening mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the damping effect is insufficient and the door cannot open smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening mechanism structureVSAvoiddamping effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system is divided into two separate parts: the hinge upper part attached to the door body assembly and the hinge lower part attached to the oven body. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, enabling the incorporation of damping and elastic elements in the hinge lower part while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge lower part acts as an intermediary component between the door body assembly and the oven body. It mediates the interaction by incorporating both the elastic element (torsional spring) and the damper, providing the necessary damping effect and smooth opening motion without requiring complex mechanisms in the door assembly itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a door opening mechanism with good damping effect is used, then the door opens smoothly and safely, but the structure becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth opening with dampingVSAvoidhinge system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge lower part combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the hinge connection, incorporates the elastic element (torsional spring) for energy storage and smooth motion, and integrates the damper for damping control. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure while achieving good damping effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge lower part serves multiple purposes: it acts as a structural connector, an energy storage element (via the torsional spring), and a damping mechanism (via the integrated damper). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate components, reducing overall system complexity while providing reliable smooth opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Force

If torsional springs are used to assist door opening, then the opening force is improved, but the door may open too quickly without proper damping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening forceVSAvoiddoor opening speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is positioned to act against the door motion before the door can open too quickly. It provides preliminary resistance to the opening motion, counteracting the force from the torsional spring and preventing excessive opening speed, thereby ensuring controlled and safe door operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of the door opening too quickly due to torsional spring force is converted into a benefit by using the damper to control and regulate the opening speed. The damper transforms the uncontrolled rapid motion into a controlled, smooth opening process, turning a potential safety issue into a reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enables safe, reliable, and efficient door operation with a damping effect that prevents sudden opening, offering a simple, cost-effective, and widely applicable design with easy assembly and installation.

Implementation Method 1

between the hinge upper part and the hinge lower part are arranged torsional springs which form the elastic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the hinge upper part is connected with a damper... the damper is a hydraulic damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2708820B1Door-opening structure of microwave oven
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 GUANGDONG GALANZ MICROWAVE OVEN & ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES MFG
  • EP2708820B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2708820B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A door opening structure for microwave oven is disclosed. The door opening structure for microwave oven includes an upper hinge (1) fastened on a door body assembly (7), and a lower hinge (2) fastened on a oven body of a microwave oven, wherein the door body assembly (7) is hinged with the oven body by the upper hinge (1) and the lower hinge (2), an elastic element is provided between the upper hinge (1) and the lower hinge (2), and the upper hinge (1) is connected with a damper (5). Both ends of the upper hinge (1) are provided with first connectors (1.6) that are hinged with the lower hinge (2), and the middle portion of the upper hinge (1) is provided with second connectors (1.7) that are hinged with one end of the damper (5) by spring pins (6).