Refrigerator Hinge Mechanism for Extended Door Opening Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator hinge design limits the opening angle of the door due to a ridge portion formed by the side and front walls, which can interfere with the refrigerator's side wall, especially in tight installations, preventing the door from opening fully.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a positioning shaft and guiding shaft system, along with limiting balls, allows the door to rotate and move away from the pivoting side, enabling increased opening angles by adjusting the positions of the shafts and grooves, preventing the ridge from protruding and allowing the door to open beyond 90 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-shaft hinge is used for door rotation, then the hinge structure is simple, but the door opening angle is limited due to ridge portion interference with the side wall
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into multiple functional components: a first hinge member with a positioning shaft for rotational movement, a second hinge member with a guiding shaft for translational guidance, and multiple limiting balls for stability control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function, enabling the door to rotate beyond the traditional 90-degree limit while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning groove and guiding groove act as intermediaries between the hinge members and the door. These grooves guide the movement of the limiting balls, controlling the door's rotational and translational motion. The grooves mediate the interaction between the hinge mechanism and the door, enabling smooth opening beyond 90 degrees while preventing unwanted movements.
2Ease of operation
If the door is designed to open beyond 90 degrees, then the opening space increases, but the ridge portion interferes with the side wall in tight installations
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism introduces translational movement in addition to rotational movement. The guiding shaft and guiding groove enable the door to move laterally away from the hinge side during opening. This dimensional change allows the door to clear the side wall interference zone, enabling opening angles greater than 90 degrees even in tight installations where the ridge portion would normally collide with the side wall.
3Stability of the object's composition
If limiting balls are added to prevent door shaking, then door stability improves, but the hinge mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting balls automatically perform the stabilizing function through their interaction with the positioning groove and guiding groove. As the door moves, the limiting balls naturally engage with the grooves, providing real-time stability control without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the motion-induced engagement of the balls with the grooves to maintain door stability throughout the opening sequence.
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 solution allows the door to open further, avoiding interference with the side wall and increasing the opening space, thus enhancing usability and preventing the door from shaking or slipping, while also reducing friction and wear through rolling contact.
Implementation Method 1
the plural limiting balls are distributed at different positions of the guide block; when the door is rotated, at least three of the limiting balls abut against the hinge body all the time to support the door and prevent the door from shaking
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a cabinet, a door and a hinge body. A guide block is provided on the door, a rotation shaft is provided on the hinge body, and rotation shaft grooves are provided on the guide block. With the structure of the hinge body, the gravity of the door and the friction force may be shared onto the first and second plate bodies of the hinge body, thereby reducing abrasion and prolonging the service life of the door of the refrigerator.