Refrigerator Double Door Hinge Assembly Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional double door refrigerators have an aesthetically unpleasing appearance due to exposed bolting fastening parts and high manufacturing costs resulting from complex hinge assembly structures with multiple components and post-processing treatments.

Innovation Solution

A new hinge assembly design for double doors where the stopper for limiting the opening angle is formed integrally with the hinge plate, reducing the number of components and minimizing exposure by integrating the stopper with the second hinge assembly, which is coupled and welded for easier manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the stopper and hinge are formed as separate components (conventional design), then the hinge assembly can limit the opening angle of the main door, but the bolting fastening part is exposed and the manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening angle limitationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper and hinge plate are integrated into a single integral structure, eliminating the need for separate stopper components and fastening bolts. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the opening angle limitation function, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and eliminating exposed fastening parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple post-processing treatments are applied to manufacture the hinge assembly (conventional design), then the hinge can be assembled, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is divided into two main segments: an upper hinge assembly and a lower hinge assembly, where the lower hinge assembly integrates both the hinge function and stopper function. This segmentation allows the stopper to be formed as part of the hinge plate structure rather than requiring separate post-processing treatments like bending, notching, and burr operations on separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper and hinge plate are integrated into a single integral structure, eliminating the need for separate stopper components and fastening bolts. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the opening angle limitation function, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and eliminating exposed fastening parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the stopper plate is bolted to the bottom surface of the main door, then the opening angle can be limited, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to exposed fastening parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening angle limitationVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper and hinge plate are integrated into a single integral structure, eliminating the need for separate stopper components and fastening bolts. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the opening angle limitation function, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and eliminating exposed fastening parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250020387A1Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, in a refrigerator having a double door in which a first door and a second door are installed to overlap each other, a stopper limiting a rotation angle of the second door is integrally provided in a second hinge assembly. Accordingly, the components of the hinge assembly are minimized, and thus management and assembly work may be easily performed.