Multi-joint link hinge and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with traditional hinges often interfere with adjacent objects when doors rotate, leading to installation issues and safety concerns due to exposed links that can hit users.
Innovation Solution
A multi-joint link hinge system with a hinge bracket, links, and a door bracket, where the links are coupled between side portions and a rotation shaft passes through, allowing the door to rotate without interference and featuring a cover to shield the hinge when open, preventing user safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional hinge is used, then the structure is simple, but the door interferes with adjacent objects when rotating
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple links (first link, second link, third link, fourth link) connected through rotation shafts, allowing each segment to rotate independently. This segmentation enables the door to follow a complex rotation trajectory that avoids adjacent objects while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-link hinge mechanism transforms the door's rotation from a simple single-axis movement to a multi-dimensional trajectory. The door rotates along a curved path in multiple dimensions, allowing it to clear adjacent objects during opening and closing operations.
2Ease of operation
If a multi-link hinge is used to avoid interference, then the door can rotate without hitting adjacent objects, but the links are exposed and can hit or catch the user's body
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary element that shields the user from the moving links. The cover member is positioned to overlap the space between links during door operation, preventing direct contact between the user's body and the rotating links while allowing the hinge mechanism to function normally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerator is installed in close contact with wall or furniture, then it provides a sense of unity, but the door thickness causes interference with adjacent objects
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple links (first link, second link, third link, fourth link) connected through rotation shafts, allowing each segment to rotate independently. This segmentation enables the door to follow a complex rotation trajectory that avoids adjacent objects while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-link hinge mechanism transforms the door's rotation from a simple single-axis movement to a multi-dimensional trajectory. The door rotates along a curved path in multiple dimensions, allowing it to clear adjacent objects during opening and closing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-joint link hinge includes a hinge bracket, a plurality of links axially coupled to the hinge bracket, and a door bracket coupled to the plurality of links. The hinge bracket includes a base portion that defines a plurality of screw coupling holes at a vertical surface thereof, a plurality of side portions that extend from the base portion in a horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, and a side surface portion that extends from the base portion in the vertical direction and defines a fixing groove. The plurality of links are coupled between the plurality of side portions along an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The multi-joint link hinge is used for a home appliance including refrigerators.