Multi-Link Hinge Nested Design to Reduce Interference and User Hazards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with traditional hinge systems often interfere with adjacent objects when doors rotate, leading to safety issues and a lack of unity in built-in installations, as the hinges can protrude or require spacing, compromising aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link hinge system with a cover member that shields the hinge structure, allowing the door to rotate without interference while preventing user safety hazards by accommodating the hinge within the door's design, even when fully open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional hinge system is used, then the door can rotate, but the hinge protrudes and interferes with adjacent objects
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is nested within the door structure itself. The hinge body is positioned inside the door thickness, with the hinge pin extending through the door, allowing the door to rotate while the hinge mechanism remains concealed within the door's profile, preventing protrusion and interference with adjacent objects
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design transitions from a protruding external structure to an internal embedded structure by utilizing the third dimension (door thickness). The hinge components are arranged along the door's thickness direction, moving the rotation mechanism from the surface plane into the volumetric space of the door, thereby eliminating lateral interference
2Shape
If the refrigerator is installed in close contact with wall or furniture, then a unified appearance is achieved, but the rotating door interferes with adjacent components
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is nested within the door structure, allowing the refrigerator to be installed flush with walls or furniture without the hinge protruding to interfere with adjacent components, thereby maintaining a clean, unified appearance while enabling close-contact installation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a multi-link hinge is used to avoid interference, then the door can rotate without hitting adjacent objects, but the hinge links are exposed and may hit or catch the user's body
Solution Approach 1:
The hazardous exposed link elements are extracted from the external rotation path and repositioned within the door structure. The hinge mechanism is contained inside the door, removing the dangerous moving parts from the user's potential contact zone while preserving the interference-avoidance rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-link hinge mechanism is nested within the door's internal structure, concealing the moving links and joints inside the door thickness. This prevents user contact with exposed mechanical elements while maintaining the complex rotation trajectory needed to avoid adjacent objects
4Shape
If the hinge is exposed, then the door rotation mechanism is visible, but it creates safety hazards by hitting or catching the user's body
Solution Approach 1:
The hazardous exposed hinge elements are extracted from the external view and repositioned within the door structure, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining aesthetic appearance. The hinge mechanism is completely concealed inside the door, removing any visible moving parts that could contact users
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a multi-joint link hinge. The multi-joint link hinge includes a base portion having a plurality of screw coupling holes in a vertical surface thereof, a hinge bracket including a plurality of side portions extending in a horizontal direction to be vertically spaced apart from the base portion, a plurality of link members axially coupled between the side portions, and a door bracket coupled to the link members. The hinge bracket includes a side surface portion vertically extending from the base portion, and a fixing groove is defined in each of the side surface portions.