Large household appliance in the form of a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large household appliances, particularly refrigeration appliances, experience issues with hinge twisting due to weight forces, leading to misalignment of closure elements and potential leaks or uneven gaps, which affect efficiency and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A support element is coupled to the hinge, allowing for both pivoting and translational movement, with contact surfaces and screw connections to stabilize the hinge and reduce torque, and optionally covered to maintain appearance and prevent dirt accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge is used to support the closure element, then the closure element can be opened and closed, but the hinge twists due to weight forces causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the hinge and the closure element. This support element carries the weight forces and transfers them to the body, preventing the hinge from twisting and maintaining precise alignment of the closure element during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented from the hinge function. The hinge is responsible solely for enabling pivoting movement, while the support element separately handles the weight-bearing and alignment stabilization, allowing each component to perform its specific function optimally.
2Force
If the hinge supports the closure element weight, then the closure element can be held, but torque acts on the hinge causing twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as a mediator that intercepts the weight forces from the closure element and transfers them directly to the body through contact surfaces, preventing these forces from creating twisting torques on the hinge.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element extends in the depth direction behind the front surface of the body, creating a larger moment arm and distributing the weight forces across a different spatial dimension, thereby reducing the twisting effect on the hinge.
3Manufacturing precision
If the support element is added to stabilize the hinge, then alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the hinge against weight forces, prevents twisting, maintains alignment, and provides a mounting surface for the hinge. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the overall complexity is minimized despite adding a new element.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element integrates the alignment feature and the support function into a single unified component, rather than adding separate alignment mechanisms and support structures, thereby reducing the total number of parts and assembly complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a large household appliance (1), in particular a refrigerator, comprising a body (2) and a locking element (6) attached thereto by at least one hinge (5,6), characterized by a support element (24,25,43,45,49,59,72,82) coupled to the hinge (5,6).