Linear Hinge Assembly for Appliance Door Translation and Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator appliances with single pivoting hinges often cause door interference with adjacent cabinetry and gasket wear due to repeated opening and closing, leading to aesthetic issues and maintenance concerns.
Innovation Solution
A linear hinge assembly that includes a bearing assembly, an elongated shaft, a cam, and a timing cable, allowing the door to translate away from the cabinet as it rotates, reducing interference and gasket scrubbing, while a biasing member and stop collar facilitate smooth operation and secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single pivoting hinge is used, then the door can rotate to open and close, but the door or panel mounted thereon rubs or conflicts with adjacent cabinetry
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly adds a translation dimension to the traditional rotation motion. The door assembly translates away from the cabinet along a translation axis while simultaneously rotating about a pivot axis, creating a two-degree-of-freedom motion that eliminates interference with adjacent cabinetry during door operation.
2Ease of operation
If a single pivoting hinge is used, then the door can be mounted to the cabinet, but the gasket experiences frequent rub or wear as the door is opened and closed repeatedly
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing translation motion in addition to rotation, the gasket engages and disengages from the cabinet surface rather than continuously rubbing against it. The gasket only contacts the cabinet when the door is in the closed position, significantly reducing wear during the opening and closing cycle.
3Shape
If a flush mount design is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the door may conflict with adjacent cabinetry
Solution Approach 1:
The linear hinge assembly enables the door to translate away from the cabinet plane during opening, allowing the door to maintain a flush mount appearance when closed while clearing adjacent cabinetry during operation. This separates the aesthetic requirement from the operational requirement through additional motion freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a linear hinge assembly that couples a door to a cabinet. The linear hinge assembly includes a bearing assembly mounted to the cabinet and an elongated shaft received within the bearing assembly for sliding along a translation axis. A cam is mounted to the door and is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft such that such that the door is rotatable about a pivot axis that extends through the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. A timing cable extends from a fixed location on the cabinet to a fixed location on a cam profile such that the timing cable wraps around the cam when the door is moved toward a closed position and unwraps when the door is moved toward an open position.