Multi-Joint Door Hinge With Integrated Cam Stopper Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-joint hinges in refrigerators are prone to breakage due to repeated opening and closing, leading to instability and loss of elasticity, which affects the door's closing force and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-joint hinge design featuring a resilient member, a cam, and a cam stopper integrated with the second bracket, which provides opening and closing forces and prevents cam movement, allowing for a wider bridge design that enhances durability and simplifies the structure, reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bridge width of the door bracket is narrow to reduce material usage, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the bridge breaks due to repeated opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The cam stopper is integrally formed with the second bracket, merging two components into one. This integration eliminates the need for separate fasteners or additional structural elements, allowing the bridge to be wider and more durable while not increasing manufacturing complexity. The unified structure reduces assembly steps and potential failure points.
2Force
If the cam is allowed to move freely under resilient member pressure, then the hinge can maintain closing force, but the cam may depart or break due to repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The cam stopper acts as an intermediary component between the cam and the resilient member. It provides a controlled interface that allows the cam to exert force on the door while preventing excessive movement or departure. The stopper mediates the interaction, ensuring the cam remains within safe operational limits during repeated opening and closing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam stopper is pre-positioned to limit the cam's movement range before any damage can occur. By establishing these mechanical boundaries in advance, the design prevents the cam from departing or breaking under repeated operational stresses, ensuring long-term reliability while maintaining the necessary closing force.
3Ease of operation
If the cam stopper is made as a separate component, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam stopper is integrally formed with the second bracket, merging two components into one. This integration eliminates the need for separate fasteners or additional structural elements, allowing the bridge to be wider and more durable while not increasing manufacturing complexity. The unified structure reduces assembly steps and potential failure points.
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 enables the door to open and close without interference, enhances durability by preventing bridge breakage, and simplifies the cam stopper structure, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member provided on the link and having an elasticity; a cam provided on the second bracket and formed in a shape to contact the resilient member, so that according to a rotation direction of the door, the elasticity of the resilient member acts as an opening force or a closing force of the door
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device in which a multi joint hinge, which couples a door of the electronic device, is applied. The electronic device includes a main body having a storage space therein, a door configured to open and close the storage space, and a hinge coupled to the door and the main body in order to rotate the door with respect to the main body. The hinge includes a first bracket supported by the main body, a second bracket supported by the door, a link rotatably coupled between the first bracket and the second bracket, a resilient member provided on the link and having an elasticity; a cam provided on the second bracket and formed in a shape to contact with the resilient member, so that according to a rotation direction of the door, the elasticity of the resilient member acts as an opening force or a closing force of the door, and a cam stopper integrally formed with the second bracket to prevent the cam from being moved by the elasticity of the resilient member.