Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator hinge modules often generate noise when doors are opened and closed, and they lack an efficient mechanism for adjusting the door height, which affects the appliance's functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A middle hinge module is introduced, featuring a hinge member with a coupling part, a rotatable casing, a shaft with a cutting recess, a cam member with compression springs, and a height adjustment screw. This module converts rotational door movement into vertical linear movement for noise reduction and allows for easy height adjustment by securely fixing the shaft within the hinge member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional hinge module is used, then the door can be hinged to the main body, but noise is generated when the door is opened and closed
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is nested within the shaft hole of the hinge member, with the first part of the shaft inserted into the shaft hole to provide stable support. The coupling recess on the shaft receives the height adjustment screw, creating a nested configuration that reduces noise while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment screw acts as an intermediary element that contacts the coupling recess of the shaft. By rotating the height adjustment screw, the shaft can be moved vertically to adjust door height, and when properly positioned, the shaft closely contacts the wall surface of the shaft hole to eliminate noise without requiring additional damping materials
2Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge module is used, then the door is hinged to the main body, but the door height cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module incorporates a height adjustment screw that allows the shaft to be dynamically adjusted vertically. By rotating the height adjustment screw, the shaft moves up or down within the shaft hole, enabling easy door height adjustment. Once the desired height is achieved, the shaft is fixed in position to maintain the adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling recess is pre-formed on the shaft at a position that receives the height adjustment screw. This preliminary configuration allows the height adjustment function to be integrated into the hinge module structure, enabling easy adjustment without requiring additional components or complex assembly steps
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shaft is loosely fitted in the shaft hole, then assembly is simple, but noise is generated during door operation
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with a coupling recess that receives the height adjustment screw. When the height adjustment screw is rotated to the correct position, it pushes the shaft to closely contact the wall surface of the shaft hole, eliminating noise. The system uses its own components (height adjustment screw and coupling recess) to achieve noise reduction without requiring external damping materials or complex assembly procedures
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
The solution effectively reduces noise during door operation and facilitates easy height adjustment of the refrigerator doors, enhancing productivity and user convenience by ensuring smooth operation and customizable door positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring disposed on the cam member and configured to be compressed by upward linear movement of the cam member when the door is opened and transmit compressive force accumulated by downward linear movement of the cam member to the door when the door is closed
Implementation Method 2
a cam member disposed on the shaft and configured to convert rotational movement of the door into vertical linear movement
Implementation Method 3
a height adjustment screw, an upper portion of which contacts the coupling recess of the shaft so that the first part of the shaft closely contacts a wall surface of the shaft hole and the shaft is fixed to the hinge member and which is configured to move up and down by rotation to move the shaft and the casing up and down
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is equipped with an improved middle hinge module, by which a door is hinged to a main body, capable of preventing noise when the door is opened and closed and easily adjusting a height of the door. The middle hinge module includes a hinge member fixed to a main body, a casing rotatably coupled to the hinge member and configured to rotate with a door, a shaft accommodated in the casing and coupled to the hinge member, a cam member disposed on the shaft and configured to convert rotational movement of the door into vertical linear movement, a compression spring disposed on the cam member and configured to be compressed by vertical linear movement of the cam member, and a height adjustment screw, an upper portion of which is coupled to a lower portion of the shaft to adjust a height of the door.