Refrigerator Hinge with Guideway for Expanded Door Opening Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator hinge design limits the opening angle of the door, causing a ridge portion to protrude beyond the side wall, which interferes with the opening mechanism, especially in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hinge system with a guide block and positioning/guiding shafts that allow the door to pivot away from the hinge side, enabling a greater opening angle by shifting the pivot point and preventing the ridge from protruding beyond the side wall, thereby increasing the opening space and avoiding interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-shaft hinge is used for door opening, then the hinge structure is simple, but the door ridge portion protrudes beyond the side wall extension line, limiting the opening angle
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is divided into multiple functional components: a first pin for initial pivoting, a guideway with straight and arcuate portions for guiding movement, and a second pin for final positioning. This segmentation allows the door to follow a complex trajectory (pivot → swing outward → pivot again) that prevents ridge protrusion while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The guideway acts as an intermediary element between the pins and the door, mediating the door's movement path. The guideway's specific geometry (straight portion followed by arcuate portion) controls the door's trajectory, ensuring the ridge remains within the side wall extension line while achieving a larger opening angle
2Device complexity
If the door is designed to open with a fixed shaft hinge, then the hinge design is simple, but the opening space is limited due to ridge protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The door's movement is extended from a simple rotational arc around a fixed shaft to a multi-stage path that includes outward swinging motion. The guideway's arcuate portion enables the door to move in an additional dimensional direction (outward away from the cabinet), increasing the effective opening space without complicating the hinge design
3Ease of operation
If a guideway and pin system is used to move the door away from the front face, then the opening angle is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guideway is integrated with the cabinet structure rather than being a separate external component. The first pin and second pin are positioned at specific locations on the cabinet, and the guideway connects them, merging multiple functions (guiding, supporting, positioning) into a unified structure that achieves improved opening angle without excessive complexity
Data Source
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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.