Insertion-Type Refrigerator Hinge Assembly to Protect Door Gaskets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerator hinge assemblies protrude from the upper end of the refrigerator main body, interfering with peripheral components and causing damage to the gasket due to repeated opening and closing, which degrades the sealing capability.

Innovation Solution

The insertion-type hinge assembly is designed to be minimally visible, with first and second hinge members inserted into corresponding accommodating parts, allowing the door to rotate without protruding from the main body, thus preventing interference and gasket damage by being installed at the front side rather than the upper end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hinge assembly is installed at the upper end of the refrigerator main body, then the door can be supported for opening and closing, but it interferes with peripheral components and causes damage to the gasket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegasket sealing capabilityVSAvoidinterference with peripheral components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is extracted from the upper end location and repositioned to the front side of the refrigerator main body. This removes the harmful interference with peripheral components and gasket damage while preserving the door support function. The hinge assembly is taken out from the problematic location and installed in a new location that eliminates the harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the hinge assembly protrudes from the upper end, then the door rotation is enabled, but the door height must be increased and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor rotationVSAvoiddoor height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly installation location is changed from the vertical dimension (upper end) to the horizontal dimension (front side). This dimensional change allows the door rotation function to be maintained while eliminating the need to increase door height. The hinge is positioned in a different spatial dimension that achieves the same functional goal without the detrimental effect of increased height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the hinge assembly is installed at the front side, then interference with peripheral components is prevented, but the installation structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with peripheral componentsVSAvoidinstallation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is nested within the front side structure of the refrigerator main body. The hinge body is positioned within the front side region, and the door is coupled to the hinge assembly in a nested configuration. This nesting approach prevents interference with peripheral components while maintaining a compact and integrated structure that does not significantly increase overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8147015B2Hinge assembly and refrigerator having the same

Publication Date: 2012.04.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An insertion-type hinge assembly may include a first hinge member including a mount unit and a shaft that is separated from and coupled to the mount unit, and that is positioned in parallel to the mount unit. The hinge assembly also includes a second hinge member that receives the shaft therein so as to rotatably couple the first and second hinge members. The first and second hinge members may be installed in corresponding recesses of a door and a main body such that they are not exposed.