Refrigerator Hinge Braking Mechanism for Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swing doors of refrigerated cabinets in points of sale often bang against the cabinet when closed due to frequent opening and closing by customers.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a braking element and elastic return means, featuring a spring acting on a piston, to control the door's closure and prevent impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a swing door is used for the refrigerated cabinet, then the door can be easily opened and closed by customers, but the door bangs against the cabinet when closed due to frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism incorporates a braking element and elastic return means that activate before the door completes its closing motion. The braking element slows the door's descent, and the elastic elements absorb the remaining impact energy, cushioning the door against the cabinet before actual contact occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the door and the cabinet frame. It introduces controlled friction through the braking element and elastic compliance through springs, mediating the door's motion to prevent direct high-impact contact with the cabinet structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a braking mechanism is added to prevent door impact, then the door banging is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated hinge assembly: the braking element, elastic return means, and door mounting are combined in one compact mechanism. This consolidation achieves impact reduction without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is self-regulating through its braking and elastic return elements that automatically activate based on door position and motion. The mechanism requires no external control systems or additional actuators, reducing complexity while maintaining effective impact prevention.
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 hinge effectively prevents strong impacts of the door against the refrigerated cabinet, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear and tear, while also allowing for automatic closure when the door is opened mistakenly.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic return means for the return from the open position to the closed position of the panel comprises a spring configured to act on the piston
Implementation Method 2
a braking element configured to brake the panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge (10) for closing panels of the access opening of refrigerated cabinets, where said hinge (10) comprises: - a casing that can be fixed to a fixed frame of the access opening, where said casing contains a mechanism configured to allow the rotation of said panel about an axis (X) between a closed position and an open position of the access opening of the refrigerated cabinet, - an elastic return means (53) to allow the return from the open position to the closed position of the panel; characterised in that said hinge (10) comprises a braking element (100) configured to interact with the aforesaid mechanism to brake the closing movement of the panel generated by said elastic return means (53).