Refrigerator Hinge Bracket Support for Stable Gap-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator hinges face issues with stability, deformation, and poor appearance due to increased weight and multifunctionality, leading to assembly gaps and painting defects.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a support recess part, inclined bracket support, and tapered fastening holes, manufactured using press processing to ensure secure assembly and uniform surface treatment, with a bracket support that minimizes gaps and enhances structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a hinge is used with increased door weight for multifunctional refrigerators, then the door support capacity is improved, but the hinge deformation and door droop increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple components: a hinge body, a reinforcing rib structure, and a door support plate. This segmentation allows each component to bear specific loads and prevents overall deformation by distributing stress across multiple structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A reinforcing rib is added asymmetrically to the hinge body structure. The rib extends from the hinge body toward the door support plate, providing additional structural reinforcement specifically in the high-stress area without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to the entire hinge assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If a bent metal plate structure is used for the hinge plate, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the outer appearance quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge body and door support plate are pre-formed with precise geometric shapes through stamping or pressing processes before final assembly. The reinforcing rib is also pre-formed and then integrated, ensuring that all components have high-dimensional accuracy and smooth surfaces before being assembled together, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and high appearance quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting plate and vertical flange structure is used, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the assembly gap and surface treatment quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate and vertical flange are merged into a single integrated hinge body structure formed by stamping or pressing a metal plate. This integration eliminates the gap that would exist between separate components while maintaining the flexibility of the assembly process. The reinforcing rib further connects the hinge body to the door support plate, ensuring structural integrity without creating additional gaps.
4Productivity
If a riveting process is used to assemble the mounting plate, then the assembly speed is improved, but the assembly position accuracy and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge body, reinforcing rib, and door support plate are all pre-formed with precise geometries and positioning features before assembly. This preliminary precision ensures that when the components are assembled together using rapid riveting or pressing processes, the final assembly maintains high position accuracy and stability without requiring complex adjustment or repositioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a hinge (100) for a refrigerator (1) and a method for manufacturing the same. When a hinge support (200) mounted on a cabinet (11) and a hinge bracket (300), on which a hinge pin (400) is mounted, inserted into the hinge support (200) are coupled to each other, an additional supporting structure may be provided by a bracket support (240). Thus, a more stable coupling structure is obtained in comparison to coupling due to compression and deformation of the hinge bracket (300) to enhance strength and improve an outer appearance of the refrigerator (1).