Monotrack Embedded Hinge Mechanism for Quiet Automatic Door Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embedded hinges in refrigerators face issues with spring deformation leading to noisy and ineffective door closure due to large mechanical abrasion, resulting in a shortened service life, especially when the door is new or after losing elasticity over time.
Innovation Solution
A monotrack embedded hinge mechanism with a horizontally rotating connecting rod, a single guide track, and an angle retaining block that uses a reset spring for smooth door closure, minimizing spring deformation and abrasion by guiding the door's rotation through a chute rod and angle retaining block mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is added between the refrigerator door and cabinet to enable automatic door closing, then the door can be automatically closed, but the spring undergoes large deformation and mechanical abrasion leading to shortened service life
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic closing mechanism is divided into two functional segments: a guide track mechanism (chute rod and guide chute) that controls the door's movement path, and a reset spring that provides closing force only during the final closing phase. This segmentation allows the spring to avoid large deformations during door opening while still providing automatic closing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track mechanism performs the preliminary action of guiding the door along a predetermined path during opening and most of the closing motion. The reset spring is engaged only in the final closing phase, performing its force-providing function after the bulk of the movement has already been controlled by the guide track, thereby minimizing spring deformation.
2Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is used for automatic door closing, then the door closes automatically, but the closing action is noisy when the door is new
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by guiding the door along a controlled path and absorbing impact forces before the door reaches the closed position. The chute rod and guide chute structure ensures smooth motion transition, cushioning the closing action and preventing noisy impacts, especially during the initial closing phase when the door is new.
3Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is used for automatic door closing, then the door closes automatically, but the door cannot be closed tightly after the spring loses elasticity over time
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track mechanism acts as an intermediary between the door and the reset spring, controlling the door's movement path and ensuring proper alignment. This intermediary structure maintains the door's closing trajectory even when the spring's elasticity deteriorates, ensuring the door can still be guided to the closed position tightly.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track mechanism provides self-service by automatically guiding the door along the correct path without requiring precise spring force. The chute rod and guide chute structure inherently control the door's motion, compensating for spring degradation and maintaining reliable door closing functionality over time.
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 mechanism ensures smooth and silent door closure with reduced spring deformation, prolonging the spring's life by uniformly distributing stress and minimizing mechanical abrasion, while maintaining precise fit and easy mounting.
Implementation Method 1
a reset spring is mounted between the angle retaining block and the spring mounting rod, and when the door mounting block is rotated to a side of attachment to the cabinet mounting plate and is in a closed state, the reset spring is in a stretched state
Implementation Method 2
a reset spring is mounted between the angle retaining block and the spring mounting rod
Implementation Method 3
the chute rod vertically upwards penetrates through the guide chute and guides a rotating action of the door mounting block along an interior of the guide chute
Implementation Method 4
when the chute rod is moved in the guide chute, the top end of the chute rod drives the angle retaining block to rotate
Data Source
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AI summary
A monotrack embedded hinge automatic door-closing mechanism, including a single guide track mechanism provided on a door mounting block (1), a connecting rod mechanism and a cabinet mounting plate (2), wherein a spring mounting rod (10) is fixed on the door mounting block (1), an angle retaining block (3) is rotatably fixed on a panel of the door mounting block (1) on a side opposite to the spring mounting rod (10), an outer wall of the angle retaining block (3) is slidably connected with a top end of a chute rod (20), and when the chute rod (20) is moved in a guide chute (14), the top end of the chute rod (20) drives the angle retaining block (3) to rotate, and a reset spring (13) is mounted between the angle retaining block (3) and the spring mounting rod (10); in the automatic door-closing mechanism, by a coordinating action of the angle retaining block (3) and the chute rod (20) for guiding track changing, angle retaining and automatic door closing actions can be realized, a track change action is well combined with an integral elastic reset state, stretching of the spring is reduced, the reset spring (13) is stressed uniformly in an automatic door closing process, the door closing action is smoother and more silent, and a service life of the spring is prolonged.