Hinge for a household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for household appliances are difficult to assemble, especially in tight spaces, due to their complex structure and the need for assembly at the end of the process, which can lead to inconvenient or impossible assembly under narrow conditions.
Innovation Solution
A modular hinge design with separate module parts, including a drive device with an electric motor and a threaded spindle, allows for independent handling and assembly of each part, reducing space requirements and enabling easier installation by separating the drive housing from the hinge housing, with the electric motor positioned to minimize noise and temperature issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge is assembled as a complete unit, then the structure is stable and functional, but the assembly process becomes difficult in tight spaces and requires end-of-process installation
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into separate module parts including a drive housing with electric motor and a hinge housing with pivot arm. These modules can be handled and assembled independently, allowing installation in tight spaces and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining functional stability when connected
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge housing and drive housing are integrated, then the structure is compact, but the space requirements and assembly difficulty increase in narrow installation areas
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge housing and drive housing are separated into distinct modules that can be assembled independently. This segmentation allows each module to be positioned and installed separately in narrow spaces, reducing the effective space requirements during assembly while maintaining compact integration when connected
Solution Approach 2:
The modules are designed to nest or connect together, with the drive housing and hinge housing forming an integrated structure when assembled. This nesting approach maintains compact overall dimensions while enabling simplified independent handling during installation
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 modular construction simplifies the assembly process, reduces space requirements, and allows for easier maintenance by enabling independent handling of module parts, improving accessibility and reducing noise and temperature issues compared to conventional hinges.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, received in the hinge housing, which is drivable by means of the electric motor and thereby is rotatable around a rotational axis relative to the hinge housing as well as preferably relative to the drive housing. According to the invention, the drive device further includes at least one screw element screwed to the threaded spindle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge for a household appliance, including a hinge housing, including a pivot arm, which is pivotably retained at the hinge housing, and including a drive device, which comprises an electric motor, by means of which the pivot arm is pivotable relative to the hinge housing, wherein the drive device includes: a drive housing formed separately from the hinge housing, provided in addition thereto and at least partially following the hinge housing in longitudinal extension direction of the hinge housing; a threaded spindle at least partially received in the hinge housing; and at least one screw element screwed to the threaded spindle.