Hinge for doors of electrical household appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of recessed electrical household appliances with slidable decorative front panels faces challenges in opening due to the reduced lower base height, leading to jamming issues, and existing solutions complicate assembly and increase costs with complex kinematic connections.
Innovation Solution
A hinge system with a simple structure and easy assembly, comprising a first and second element pivoted by a pin, a tie rod with a cam profile, a helical spring, and a kinematic unit with levers and slots, allowing the decorative panel to slide during door opening, while being easily convertible between standard and slidable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the lower base height is reduced to improve appearance continuity, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the door opening operation becomes problematic due to panel jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a slidable panel mechanism that transitions from a static fixed panel to a dynamic movable one. The panel is equipped with sliding means that allow it to move vertically relative to the door during opening operation, preventing jamming against the floor while maintaining aesthetic appearance when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the panel from the door structure through a slidable connection system. The panel becomes an independent movable component that can slide relative to the door, rather than being rigidly fixed, allowing independent motion to avoid jamming while preserving overall appearance.
2Ease of operation
If complex kinematic coupling systems are added to enable panel sliding, then the door opening problem is resolved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sliding function from complex kinematic coupling systems and implements it through a simplified dedicated sliding mechanism. Instead of using elaborate kinematic connections between the panel and door, the invention introduces a specific sliding means with guide elements and cam profiles that directly enable the required motion with fewer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more economical sliding components such as guide slots, guide rails, and cam profiles that are easier and cheaper to manufacture compared to complex kinematic couplings. These sliding means provide the necessary functionality at lower cost and with reduced assembly complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a slidable panel system is implemented, then the door opening is enabled, but the hinge mechanism becomes overloaded with elastic forces and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sliding mechanism that acts as a mediator between the panel and the hinge. The guide elements, guide slots, and cam profiles in the sliding means bear and redirect the forces generated during panel movement, preventing these forces from being directly transmitted to the hinge mechanism and thus reducing hinge overload.
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 hinge system ensures smooth operation, reduces assembly complexity, and lowers costs by decoupling the kinematic unit from the tilting mechanism, allowing for adjustable sliding motion without overloading the hinge with elastic forces and weight, facilitating easy assembly and modification.
Implementation Method 1
a tie rod (7) with a first cam profile (8), the first profile (8) engaging, during the movement of the tie rod (7), with a guide member (9)... a helical spring (11) and a drive rod (12) of the spring (11), both supported by the first element (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Described is a hinge for doors (2) of electric household appliances equipped with a decorative front panel (3) mounted slidably relative to the door (2) in a direction at a right angle to an axis (A1) of rotation of the door, comprising a first element (4) fixable, in use, to the frame of the electrical household appliance and a second element (5) pivoting on the first element through a respective first pin (6) and fixable, in use, to the door (2), so that the door (2) can be opened and closed by tilting relative to the frame of the electrical household appliance, a tie rod (7) pivoting on the second element (5) and having a respective first cam profile (8) engaging with a guide member (9) integral with the first element (4), elastic means (11) which are operatively coupled to the tie rod (7) to apply in use a retaining action on the door (2) during the movement of the door (2) from a closed position to an open position.