Appliance Hinge Assembly With Integrated Slow-Close Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance hinge assemblies fail to consistently provide slow close and optional slow open damping characteristics while meeting cost, space, and durability requirements for appliances like ovens.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly design featuring a door mounting lever with a biasing system using a spring to urge the lever toward a closed position and a damper system that contacts the arm to slow door closure, ensuring controlled movement and preventing slamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge assembly includes dampers or snubbers to provide slow open and/or slow close damping characteristics, then the damping characteristics are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the biasing system and damper system into a single integrated hinge assembly structure. The biasing member (spring) and damper are mounted on the same lever arm, creating a unified mechanism that provides both slow-open and slow-close characteristics without requiring separate complex assemblies. This merging approach maintains reliable damping while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to provide multiple functions through a single integrated structure: the biasing system provides slow-open characteristics while the damper system provides slow-close characteristics. Both systems share common mounting structures and pivot points, allowing the hinge to universally handle both opening and closing damping requirements without needing separate specialized components for each function.
2Reliability
If a hinge assembly includes dampers or snubbers to provide slow open and/or slow close damping characteristics, then the damping characteristics are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the biasing system and damper system into a single manufacturable assembly. By combining these functions into one hinge unit with shared mounting structures and pivot points, the design reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable damping characteristics.
3Reliability
If the slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location offset from the main pivot axis, then the slow open and slow close characteristics are achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the slide link inner end pivot connection relative to the main pivot axis. This offset placement creates the mechanical advantage needed to generate both slow-open and slow-close damping characteristics. The asymmetric geometry is intentionally designed to provide the required functional complexity while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through clever use of pivot point placement rather than adding numerous 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
The design effectively provides slow close and optional slow open characteristics, enhancing user experience by preventing door slamming and maintaining durability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing system urges the lever toward the first position, the biasing system including a spring operatively engaged between the lever and the slide link
Implementation Method 2
A damper system damps movement of the lever for at least part of a movement of the lever about the main pivot axis in a door closing direction
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance hinge assembly includes an arm to mate with a receiver. A door mounting lever is adapted to be connected to an appliance door, and the lever includes an inner end pivotally connected to the arm. The lever pivots relative to the arm between a first position and a second position, through an intermediate position. A slide link is located adjacent the lever. The slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location that is offset from the main pivot axis such that pivoting movement of the lever results in movement of the slide link relative to the lever. A biasing system includes a spring that urges the lever toward the first position. A damper system includes a damper that damps movement of the lever. Alternatively, the arm connects to the appliance door and the lever connects to the appliance body.