Refrigerator Hinge with Bracket Support to Reduce Assembly Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator hinges face challenges in providing stable and secure rotation mechanisms for larger and multi-functional refrigerators, often resulting in gaps and defects during assembly and surface treatment, which can lead to functional issues and aesthetic problems.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system comprising a hinge support with a bracket support that surrounds the coupling hole, an insertion part that fits into the coupling hole, and a hinge pin, where the bracket support is molded to protrude and provide additional support, and the insertion part is pressed to ensure a secure fit, minimizing gaps and allowing for uniform surface treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional hinge assembly methods are used, then assembly is simpler, but gaps and defects occur during assembly and surface treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple components: hinge support, hinge bracket, and hinge pin. Each component is manufactured separately with specific features (coupling hole, insertion part, protrusion) that enable precise fitting together, reducing gaps and defects while maintaining manageable assembly complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge bracket is inserted into the hinge support through a coupling hole, with the bracket support protrusion fitting within the hinge support structure. This nested arrangement ensures precise positioning and minimal gaps between components, improving assembly precision through inherent geometric constraints
2Strength
If the hinge support structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but support stability for heavy doors decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge support features a localized bracket support protrusion that extends into the hinge bracket, concentrating structural reinforcement exactly where needed to support heavy doors. This localized feature provides enhanced strength without requiring overall structural complexity, maintaining ease of manufacture through focused design
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly combines multiple metal components (hinge support, hinge bracket, hinge pin) that work together as a composite structure. The interaction between these components creates a unified load-bearing system that achieves high support stability while each individual component remains simple to manufacture
3Manufacturing precision
If the coupling between hinge support and hinge bracket is looser, then assembly is easier, but gaps and defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge bracket is designed with an insertion part that preliminarily fits into the coupling hole of the hinge support before final assembly. This preliminary fitting action ensures proper alignment and minimal gaps, preparing the joint for uniform surface treatment while maintaining reasonable assembly ease through self-aligning geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling hole and insertion part act as intermediary elements between the hinge support and hinge bracket. These intermediary features facilitate precise connection by providing a defined interface that reduces gaps and defects, enabling both good surface treatment quality and acceptable assembly ease through geometric mediation
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a refrigerator includes a hinge support configured to be mounted on a front surface of a cabinet of the refrigerator, where the hinge support has a plate shape and defining a coupling hole, a hinge bracket including an insertion part configured to be inserted into the coupling hole, where the hinge bracket is coupled to the hinge support along a longitudinal direction of the hinge support, and a hinge pin that is configured to mount to the hinge bracket and that is configured to allow a door of the refrigerator to rotate about the hinge pin. The hinge support includes a bracket support that at least partially surrounds the coupling hole and protrudes from a front surface of the hinge support, the bracket support being configured to provide support to the hinge support.