Adjustable Oven Door Hinge Assembly for Accessible Height Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oven door hinges are limited by the need for adjustment mechanisms below the hinge claw, restricting door size and accessibility, especially in ranges with taller doors and visible feet, where traditional hinges are not feasible due to space constraints and difficulty in accessing the adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an adjustable hinge assembly with an outer and inner pocket system, where the adjustment member is positioned above the claw, allowing for vertical alignment and easy access when the door is open, enabling the door to be raised or lowered to align with adjacent structures, and providing additional space below the claw for other uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment mechanism is positioned below the hinge claw to enable door height adjustment, then the door alignment adjustability is improved, but the space below the hinge claw is reduced and the accessibility of the adjustment mechanism becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is inverted from its conventional position below the hinge claw to an position above the hinge claw. This inversion allows the adjustment mechanism to be easily accessible when the door is open, while still providing the necessary door height adjustment capability for aligning the door with adjacent structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment mechanism is positioned below the hinge claw, then the door alignment adjustability is improved, but the door size and position options are limited due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the adjustment mechanism to position above the hinge claw, the space below the hinge claw is freed up, allowing for greater door size and position flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for ranges with taller doors and visible feet where traditional hinge configurations are not feasible.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinges with adjustment mechanisms below the claw are used, then door alignment adjustment is possible, but the adjustment mechanism becomes inaccessible when the door is closed and requires door removal for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is positioned above the hinge claw rather than below it. This allows the adjustment mechanism to be easily accessible when the door is open, eliminating the need to remove the door for adjustment operations. The adjustment member protrudes through the outer pocket to provide user access while the door is attached to the range.
Data Source
AI summary
A home appliance having an adjustable door and including an appliance body defining a cavity therein, defining an access opening to the cavity and carrying the door, with the door being movable between a generally vertical covering relationship with the access opening and a generally horizontal open relationship with the access opening; and at least one hinge assembly operatively associated with the door, the hinge assembly including an adjustable hinge receiver and a claw mounted to the hinge receiver and the door to extend therebetween, the hinge receiver including an adjustment assembly operatively connected to the claw for at least one of raising the door and lowering the door with respect to the appliance body, the adjustment assembly including a user-accessible adjustment member, wherein the adjustment member and the claw are in general vertical alignment and the adjustment member is disposed above the claw.