Refrigerator Hinge Assembly for Accessible Door Wire Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators face challenges in efficiently connecting and disconnecting electric wires between electronic devices on the door and the main body, which can compromise exterior quality and increase material costs and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design featuring a hinge assembly with a hinge hole and connection portion that guides and connects electric wires between the inner and outer doors, allowing for external access and simplifying the connection process while minimizing wire exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the electric wire connection structure is hidden inside the door, then exterior quality is improved, but connection and disconnection of the electric wire becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexterior qualityVSAvoidconnection and disconnection of electric wire

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection space is extracted from the interior of the door and positioned at the boundary between the inner door and outer door. This allows the electric wire connection to be accessible from the exterior while the connection space remains integrated into the door structure, resolving the contradiction between hidden wiring and easy connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly serves as an intermediary structure that provides the connection space. It mediates between the need for hidden wiring (by integrating into the door) and easy connection (by providing external access), allowing electric wires to be connected without compromising exterior quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate components are used for guiding electric wires, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding function for electric wires is merged into the hinge assembly itself. The hinge hole and connection portion are integrated into a single component, eliminating the need for separate guiding components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly performs multiple functions: it provides the hinge mechanism for door rotation, guides the electric wires through the hinge hole, and provides the connection space through the connection portion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250305758A1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage compartment; an inner door at the front of the main body, the inner door is rotatable about a hinge coupled to the main body; an outer door rotatable relative to a front of the inner door; a first wire connectable to a main body cable of the main body; a second wire connectable to the first wire where the second electric wire extends from the outer door to the inner door; and a hinge assembly arrangeable at the top of the inner door. The hinge assembly comprises: a hinge hole into which a hinge shaft of the hinge is rotatably insertable, and which guides the first cable; and a connection portion which is integrally formed with the hinge hole and has, formed therein, a connection space in which the first cable connects to the second cable.