Refrigeration appliance comprising hinge assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of refrigeration appliances with multiple compartments and flap doors is complicated by production-dependent non-uniformities, leading to suboptimal closing/opening and locking/unlocking performance due to loose or tight engagements, causing noise and decreased customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded hinge assembly with a bearing and retainer that supports the flap door rotatably and slidably, biasing it towards a stable center position, regardless of non-uniformities, to ensure smooth operation and prevent rattling or squeaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hinges are used to support the flap door, then the structure is simple, but the production-dependent non-uniformities cause loose or tight engagement leading to noise and degraded locking performance
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates a spring element that provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the system to adapt to production non-uniformities. The spring enables the hinge to self-adjust during operation, maintaining consistent engagement and preventing both loose engagement (rattling) and tight engagement (squeaking), thereby eliminating noise while preserving reliable locking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the hinge system by introducing elastic deformation through the spring element. This parameter change allows the hinge to compensate for dimensional variations in manufactured parts, maintaining optimal engagement parameters despite production non-uniformities, thus preventing noise and ensuring reliable locking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flap doors are installed to create separate refrigeration compartments, then the functionality is improved, but the assembly process becomes complicated and quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded hinge assembly is designed as a universal component that can be applied to multiple flap doors across different refrigeration compartments. The self-adjusting mechanism provides consistent performance across all installations, eliminating the quality consistency issues that arise from manual assembly variations, while enabling flexible configuration of multiple refrigeration compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly performs self-adjustment through the spring mechanism, automatically compensating for production non-uniformities without requiring precise manual calibration during assembly. This self-service capability ensures consistent closing/opening performance across multiple flap doors, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining high quality standards.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hinges are rigidly fixed to support the flap door, then the structure is stable, but the engagement becomes too tight causing squeaking and degraded locking performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the rigid fixed connection with a dynamic spring-loaded connection. The spring element provides controlled elasticity that maintains structural stability while allowing micro-adjustments during operation. This dynamic characteristic prevents excessive tight engagement that causes squeaking, while preserving the stability needed for reliable locking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs engagement forces before they can cause excessive tightness or squeaking. By providing this beforehand cushioning, the system maintains stable engagement without the harmful effects of rigid over-tightening, ensuring smooth operation and preserved locking performance.
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 solution effectively eliminates the adverse effects of non-uniformities, maintaining smooth operation and locking/unlocking performance, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction by ensuring the flap door operates quietly and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The flap hinge and the bearing are biased away from each other along said horizontal axis by a spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a hinge-assembly (1) for use with a flap door in a refrigeration appliance (2) having side walls (3). The hinge-assembly (1) of the present invention, comprises a flap hinge (6) for fastening the flap door, a bearing (5) which movably supports the flap hinge (6), and a retainer (8) which joins the flap hinge (6) and the bearing (5) together. The bearing (5) supports the flap hinge relatively rotatably about a horizontal axis (Ax) which is perpendicular to the side walls (3), and slidably relative through a limited distance along said horizontal axis (Ax).