Refrigerator hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator door outer decorative panels often interfere with the cabinet when the door is opened due to a small fitting gap, leading to potential damage and requiring larger gaps that compromise aesthetics and precision machining.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator hinge with a reversing transmission assembly that allows the decorative panel to slide on the door panel during opening and closing, preventing interference with the cabinet and reducing machining precision requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a small fitting gap is used between the refrigerator door body and cabinet, then aesthetics and space utilization are improved, but the door body collides with the cabinet during opening causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system transforms from a fixed rotation mechanism to a dynamic mechanism with two stages: initially the decorative panel slides along the door panel in a linear direction, then transitions to rotational movement. This dynamic motion path adjustment prevents collision with the cabinet while maintaining a small fitting gap, resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing transmission assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door panel and decorative panel. It includes a transmission shaft, transmission gear, and limiting gear that work together to convert the rotation motion into sliding motion, mediating the movement to avoid direct collision and protect the door body
2Reliability
If a large fitting gap is used between the refrigerator door body and cabinet, then collision damage is prevented, but aesthetics and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a dynamic motion path where the decorative panel first slides then rotates, the system maintains reliability (preventing collision) while enabling a smaller fitting gap than traditional designs would require, thus improving aesthetics and space utilization
3Device complexity
If traditional hinge structure is used, then device complexity is low, but the decorative panel interferes with the cabinet during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a reversing transmission assembly that dynamically changes the motion path of the decorative panel from direct rotation to sliding-then-rotating movement. This dynamic adjustment eliminates interference with the cabinet while adding controlled complexity to the hinge structure
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing transmission assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that modifies the motion transmission between the door panel and decorative panel, preventing harmful interference with the cabinet through controlled motion transformation
4Manufacturing precision
If high machining precision is required for the decorative panel, then assembly accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic sliding mechanism provides motion control through the transmission mechanism rather than relying solely on precise machining of the decorative panel. The limiting gear and transmission gear system controls the sliding distance and transition point, reducing the need for high machining precision on the decorative panel itself
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing transmission assembly acts as an intermediary that controls the motion and position of the decorative panel through mechanical engagement of gears and limiting mechanisms, reducing the burden of precision requirements on the decorative panel manufacturing
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
Prevents interference between the decorative panel and cabinet while allowing smaller gaps, maintaining aesthetics and reducing machining precision needs.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission mechanism is provided among the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector... the first connector drives the refrigerator door panel to be opened or closed on the refrigerator cabinet by means of the transmission mechanism, and the third connector drives the refrigerator door outer decorative panel to slide at the refrigerator door panel during opening or closing of the refrigerator door panel by means of the transmission mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present application relates to the technical field of hinges, and provides a refrigerator hinge, comprising a first connecting member connected to a refrigerator door panel, a second connecting member connected to a refrigerator cabinet, and a third connecting member connected to a refrigerator door outer decorative panel, wherein transmission mechanisms are provided between the first connecting member, the second connecting member, and the third connecting member; the refrigerator door outer decorative panel and the refrigerator door panel are stacked; by means of a corresponding transmission mechanism, the first connecting member drives the refrigerator door panel to be opened/closed on the refrigerator cabinet, and by means of a corresponding transmission mechanism, the third connecting member drives the refrigerator door outer decorative panel to slide on the refrigerator door panel during opening/closing of the refrigerator door panel. The first connecting member is provided with a reversing transmission assembly that is matched and connected with the refrigerator door outer decorative panel, and when the refrigerator door panel is opened/closed, the refrigerator door outer decorative panel slides on the door panel, so that when the refrigerator door panel is opened, the refrigerator door outer decorative panel does not interfere with the refrigerator cabinet, and a fitting gap between the refrigerator door panel and the refrigerator cabinet cannot be set to be too large. In addition, the machining precision requirement of the refrigerator door outer decorative panel can also be reduced.