Multi-link Door Hinge Reduces Rotation Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As built-in home appliances and refrigerators become larger, the increased size of their doors requires a greater rotation range, leading to space limitations and a need for reduced door rotation space, while also necessitating a hinge system that provides user convenience and precise opening and closing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link door hinge system featuring a main body frame, door frame, inner and outer links, leaf spring links, upper and lower cams, and elastic members that facilitate door opening and closing, detect door states, and absorb shocks, ensuring precise and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the door size is increased to accommodate larger built-in home appliances, then the door rotation range must be increased, but this leads to space limitations in the equipped area
Solution Approach 1:
The door hinge system is divided into multiple links (first link, second link, third link) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the door to achieve a larger effective rotation range by combining the rotation of multiple links rather than requiring a single large rotation arc, thereby reducing the space required in any one direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system employs multiple rotatable links with varying rotation ranges. The first link rotates relative to the door frame, the second link rotates relative to the first link, and the third link rotates relative to the second link. This dynamic multi-stage rotation mechanism allows the door to access different spatial positions efficiently, reducing the overall footprint required for door operation.
2Ease of operation
If a multi-link mechanism with cams and elastic members is added to facilitate door opening and closing, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members are pre-loaded to automatically assist door opening and closing motions. The first elastic member is configured to elastically support the door during opening, while the second elastic member assists during closing. This preliminary energy storage and release mechanism reduces the manual effort required by users without requiring complex motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms act as intermediaries between the elastic members and the door links. The first cam converts the elastic force from the first elastic member into controlled motion of the first link, while the second cam similarly mediates the force from the second elastic member to the third link. These cam intermediaries simplify the force transmission path and make the system more manageable despite the multiple components.
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 multi-link door hinge system allows for efficient door opening and closing, provides user-detectable door states, enhances durability by absorbing shocks, and reduces the required space for door rotation, thereby improving user convenience and appliance design.
Implementation Method 1
an upper elastic member having a first side portion provided inside the inner link and a second side portion rollably coupled to the upper cam and configured to elastically support the door frame
Implementation Method 2
a roller provided between the roller brackets; and the spring inserted over the rod, and configured to provide pushing force toward the upper cam while a first side portion thereof is supported by the fixation plate and a second side portion thereof is in close contact with the pair of roller brackets
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link door hinge is proposed. The multi-link door hinge includes: a main body frame provided in a main body of an apparatus having a door; a door frame provided on the door; a body frame rotatably connected to one side portion of the main body frame; an inner link and an outer link rotatably connecting the door frame to the body frame; a leaf spring link rotatably connecting the main body frame to the outer link; an upper cam coupled to a portion connecting the body frame to the inner link in a co-rotatable manner, provided between first and second side portions of a sidewall of the inner link, and securely coupled to the body frame; an upper elastic member having a first side portion provided inside the inner link and a second side portion rollably coupled to the upper cam and elastically supporting the door frame.