Pull-Down Door Hinge Damper for Controlled Opening Speed in Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic door opening structures for cooking appliances, particularly pull-down doors, face challenges such as the need for linked latches, high power drivers, exposure to heat, and difficulties in controlling door opening speed, leading to inefficiencies and potential operational errors.
Innovation Solution
A door opening speed controller and automatic opening structure that uses a low-power driver with independently moving latches, where one latch can open the door without linking to the other, and employs a lever mechanism to utilize self-weight for opening, with damping forces applied at specific angles to control the opening speed, and uninterrupted AC power for motor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a high output power driver is used to open the door, then the door can overcome the closing elasticity force, but the driver occupies more space and consumes more energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear lifting motion dynamically. The cam profile is designed to provide varying lifting force at different rotation angles, matching the door's elastic resistance characteristics. This dynamic force application allows a lower power driver to achieve the required opening force efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism operates in periodic cycles, where the driver rotates the cam to lift the latch, then returns to the starting position. This periodic action allows the driver to build up force gradually through rotation rather than requiring continuous high power output, reducing overall energy consumption.
2Reliability
If latches are linked together to open simultaneously, then the door opening is more reliable, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the door opening function into two independent latch mechanisms, each with its own cam-driven lifting structure. Instead of linking the latches together, each latch is segmented and controlled separately by identical but independent mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable simultaneous opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical latch and cam mechanisms for both latches, making each mechanism universal. The same design is replicated on both sides of the door, allowing a single proven design to serve multiple functions and ensuring reliable simultaneous operation without complex inter-latch linkages.
3Force
If the cam directly connects to the motor, then the lifting force is sufficient, but the driving system becomes heavy and affected by inertial force
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism uses the motor's rotational motion to dynamically generate lifting force through the cam profile. The cam converts rotational kinetic energy into linear lifting force only when needed, rather than requiring a heavy direct-drive mechanism. This dynamic conversion allows lightweight construction while maintaining sufficient lifting force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a heavy direct mechanical connection between motor and latch with a cam-based mechanical substitution. The cam acts as an intermediary that transforms motor rotation into latch lifting motion, eliminating the need for heavy gears, belts, or direct-drive mechanisms while maintaining force transmission efficiency.
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
Enables smooth and controlled automatic door opening with reduced power consumption, maintaining a neat appearance, and preventing operational errors by using self-weight and controlled damping forces, suitable for pull-down doors without exposing components to heat.
Implementation Method 1
employs a lever mechanism to utilize self-weight for opening
Implementation Method 2
with damping forces applied at specific angles to control the opening speed
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder. Any one of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves with the inner link housing and the other of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves by a predetermined distance as the inner link housing moves and then is interfered by the housing so as not to move further, and the piston and the cylinder of the damper starts damping, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to an opening angle of the pull-down door in which the damping is started.