Refrigerator hinge and manufacturing method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator hinges face challenges in securely and stably supporting heavier doors while minimizing gaps and defects in the assembly process, particularly in ensuring a firm coupling between the hinge supporter and bracket to prevent separation and maintain uniform surface treatment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hinge supporter with a recessed portion and a bracket support portion that protrudes convexly, along with an insertion portion that deforms to fill a non-circular fitting hole, ensuring a stable coupling and minimizing gaps through press working and riveting processes, and surface treatment to prevent defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional hinge structures are used, then the assembly process is simple, but the hinge cannot securely support heavier doors and gaps appear in the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple components: a hinge supporter with a recessed portion, a hinge bracket with an insertion portion, and a fastening member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the recessed portion provides structural support for heavier doors, while the insertion portion fits into a fitting hole to minimize gaps and ensure precise assembly.
2Strength
If the hinge structure is made more complex to support heavier doors, then the supporting capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge bracket's insertion portion is nested within the hinge supporter's recessed portion and fitting hole. This nesting arrangement allows the components to fit together tightly, providing enhanced supporting capacity for heavier doors while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure. The fastening member then secures the nested components together.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fitting hole is made non-circular to minimize gaps, then the assembly precision improves, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting hole is designed with a non-circular, asymmetric shape that matches the insertion portion. This asymmetric geometry minimizes gaps when the components are assembled, ensuring precise fit. The corresponding insertion portion is shaped to complement the fitting hole, allowing for accurate assembly while the manufacturing processes can accommodate this specific geometry.
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
This configuration provides a stable and secure hinge structure that supports heavier doors, minimizes gaps and defects, and ensures a firm coupling between the hinge supporter and bracket, enhancing the durability and reliability of the refrigerator hinge.
Implementation Method 1
an insertion portion that deforms to fill a non-circular fitting hole, ensuring a stable coupling
Implementation Method 2
minimizing gaps through press working and riveting processes
Implementation Method 3
The surface treatment layer may be plated or painted on the outer surfaces of the hinge supporter and the hinge bracket
Implementation Method 4
The surface treatment layer may be plated or painted on the outer surfaces of the hinge supporter and the hinge bracket
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator hinge including a hinge supporter (200) configured to be mounted on a front surface of a cabinet (10) of a refrigerator, the hinge supporter defining a fitting hole (230) and including a bracket support portion (240) that at least partially surrounds an edge of the fitting hole and protrudes from a front surface of the hinge supporter, a hinge bracket (300) configured to be perpendicularly coupled to the hinge supporter, the hinge bracket including an insertion portion (310) that protrudes from a first end of the hinge bracket and is configured to be inserted into the fitting hole, and a hinge pin (400) configured to be coupled to a second end of the hinge bracket opposite the first end. When the hinge bracket is coupled to the hinge supporter, an inner edge of the bracket support portion contacts an outer circumferential surface of the hinge bracket.