Refrigerated Cabinet Hinge With Curved Guide for Controlled Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for doors and shutters, particularly in refrigerators, are difficult to assemble, prone to violent closure, and lack control mechanisms, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with a hinge body, fastening elements, and a curvilinear guide slot allowing easy assembly, damping mechanisms, and safety features to prevent violent closure and enable controlled opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional closing hinges are used to allow doors to detach and rotate around an external axis, then the door can open without impacting the basic door frame, but the assembly becomes extremely complicated and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into separate components: a hinge body with a curvilinear guide slot and a separate roller element. The roller is attached to the door while the hinge body is fixed to the frame, allowing independent assembly of each component and simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining the detaching rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
A roller element acts as an intermediary between the door and the hinge body. The roller engages with the curvilinear guide slot to enable the door to detach and rotate around an external axis, providing the desired motion while keeping the hinge components separate and easier to assemble
2Device complexity
If traditional hinges without control mechanisms are used, then the structure is simpler, but the doors close violently banging against the basic door frame causing potential damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A damping mechanism is integrated into the hinge body to provide cushioning before the door impacts the frame. This damping element absorbs the impact energy during closing, preventing violent banging and potential damage while maintaining relatively simple hinge structure
Solution Approach 2:
The roller element serves as a mediator that interfaces with the curvilinear guide slot to control the closing motion. The geometry of the guide slot and roller interaction provides controlled deceleration during closing, reducing impact forces without requiring complex additional structures
3Device complexity
If traditional hinges without blocking mechanisms are used, then the hinge structure is simpler, but the door cannot be blocked in the open position for loading or picking up products
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a blockable mechanism that allows the door to be held in various positions including fully open. The mechanism enables dynamic positioning where the door can be blocked at different angles, providing versatility for loading operations while maintaining relatively simple hinge structure through straightforward mechanical blocking elements
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
Facilitates easy installation, minimizes damage and safety risks, and allows controlled opening and closing of doors and shutters.
Implementation Method 1
a curvilinear guide slot (11) arranged in the hinge body (10) and suitable to guide the movement of the female connection element (20)
Implementation Method 2
damping mechanisms
Implementation Method 3
a torsion spring suitable to interact with the basic door frame
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a swing closing element includes a hinge body and a third male or female connection element defining an axis that are coupled to each other to rotate with respect to each other between an open and a closed position. The hinge body includes a curvilinear guide slot defining an angular trajectory that lays on a plane substantially perpendicular to the defined axis. The third male or female connection element is engaged in the curvilinear guide slot so that upon the mutual rotation of the third male or female connection element and of the hinge body, the defined axis translates along the angular trajectory.