Refrigerator Hinge Bracket Adjuster for Door Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with a level difference between doors can lead to consumer dissatisfaction and increased manufacturing costs due to return requests, as existing technologies lack effective solutions for adjusting the door alignment.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a hinge shaft adjuster mechanism that allows the hinge shaft to move forward or backward with respect to the cabinet, and a hinge hole assembly that enables the door hinge to move, allowing for adjustment of the door alignment to eliminate level differences between the left and right doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a double door refrigerator is manufactured without a door level adjustment mechanism, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but a level difference may occur between the left door and the right door leading to consumer dissatisfaction and increased return requests
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is designed with a movable moving bracket that can adjust its position forward or backward relative to the fixing bracket. The hinge shaft is coupled to this movable bracket, allowing the door's horizontal position to be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic capability enables post-manufacturing adjustment of door alignment without requiring complex precision manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the hinge shaft by allowing the moving bracket to move along the fixing bracket. By adjusting the position of the moving bracket (changing its coordinate relative to the fixing bracket), the horizontal position of the door can be modified. This parameter change approach enables alignment correction without increasing manufacturing complexity, as the adjustment is achieved through a simple movable connection rather than complex precision components.
2Ease of operation
If a door level adjustment mechanism is added to the refrigerator, then door alignment can be adjusted to eliminate level differences, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is segmented into three distinct parts: a fixing bracket (fixed to the cabinet), a moving bracket (movable relative to the fixing bracket), and a hinge bracket (fixed to the moving bracket and door). This segmentation allows the middle moving bracket to serve as an adjustment element that can be positioned independently, providing ease of operation for door alignment while keeping each individual component relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving bracket acts as an intermediary element between the fixed fixing bracket and the hinge bracket. This intermediary component enables adjustment functionality without requiring the entire hinge structure to be complex. The moving bracket's ability to move forward or backward provides the adjustment capability, while its simple connection mechanisms (female screws with elongated holes and bolts) keep the overall structure relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge shaft is made movable with respect to the cabinet, then door alignment can be corrected, but the hinge structure requires additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure incorporates a dynamic moving bracket that can change its position relative to the fixing bracket. This dynamic design provides adaptability for door position adjustment. The moving bracket is connected to the fixing bracket through female screws with elongated holes, allowing it to move forward or backward. This dynamic capability achieves door position adaptability while using relatively simple connection components, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving bracket serves multiple functions: it acts as a connection element between the fixing bracket and hinge bracket, provides adjustment capability for door alignment, and maintains structural support for the door. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate adjustment mechanisms, keeping the overall assembly process relatively simple while achieving the desired adaptability.
4Reliability
If a hinge shaft adjuster mechanism is incorporated, then manufacturing costs increase due to additional components, but door alignment can be adjusted to reduce return requests
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into modular components (fixing bracket, moving bracket, hinge bracket) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows for standardized production of individual parts, which can reduce manufacturing costs through economies of scale. The modular design also facilitates easier assembly and potential repair, improving customer satisfaction without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving bracket serves as an intermediary adjustment mechanism that provides door alignment capability using relatively simple and inexpensive components. By using a movable bracket with basic connection elements (female screws, elongated holes, bolts) rather than a complex automated adjustment system, the invention achieves the necessary reliability for customer satisfaction while minimizing the increase in manufacturing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door configured to open or close the cabinet; a fixing bracket fixed to the cabinet; a moving bracket under the fixing bracket to be movable with respect to the fixing bracket; a hinge bracket on the moving bracket and including a hinge shaft rotatably coupled to a lower end of the door; and a hinge shaft adjuster configured to move the moving bracket in a forward direction or a backward direction with respect to a front surface of the cabinet.