Hinge assembly having decorative sheet, and refrigerator having hinge assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator hinge assemblies are prone to wear and difficult to disassemble, making replacement and maintenance inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly with a decorative sheet that is detachably fitted between the first and second hinge parts, featuring grooves and shafts that facilitate easy disassembly and replacement, and a decorative sheet that protects the hinge parts while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the hinge assembly is made as a single integrated unit, then the structure is simple and durable, but it becomes difficult to disassemble and replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is divided into multiple independent parts: a first hinge part, a second hinge part, and a decorative sheet. These segments are connected through fitting structures (grooves and shafts) that allow easy assembly and disassembly. This segmentation enables replacement of individual components without replacing the entire hinge assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the hinge assembly is designed to be easily disassembled, then replacement and maintenance become convenient, but the structural integrity and durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative sheet is nested within the hinge assembly structure, fitting between the first and second hinge parts. The nested fitting structures (grooves and shafts) provide secure connection while allowing disassembly. This nesting approach maintains structural integrity during use but enables easy disassembly when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the hinge assembly is made durable and wear-resistant, then its service life increases, but it becomes more difficult to maintain and replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the hinge assembly into replaceable parts with standardized fitting structures, the patent enables easy maintenance and replacement of worn components. The decorative sheet and hinge parts can be independently replaced without affecting the overall structure, allowing extended service life through component renewal rather than complete replacement, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4006285B1Hinge assembly having decorative sheet, and refrigerator having hinge assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 QINDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4006285B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4006285B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4006285B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a hinge assembly with a decorative sheet and a refrigerator having the same. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part and the decorative sheet, wherein the first hinge part, the second hinge part and the decorative sheet are fitted with one another, the decorative sheet is provided between the first hinge part and the second hinge part, and the decorative sheet is detachably fitted with the first hinge part. The decorative sheet in the present invention may protect the first hinge part and facilitate replacement of the hinge assembly.