Slow open and/or slow close hinge assembly and hinge system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damped hinge assemblies for oven doors are often specialized in size and structure, requiring modified installation and failing to provide optimal performance and tunability for appliance door opening/closing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A damped hinge assembly featuring a damper with a piston and rod mechanism, where a spring biases the piston within a bore containing damping fluid, allowing controlled damping of the door's movement, and can be configured to dampen primarily in one direction, enabling customizable door opening and closing speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional undamped hinge assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and installation is straightforward, but the door opening/closing speed cannot be controlled and performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is nested within the hinge assembly structure. The piston is received within a bore of the hinge assembly, and the rod extends from the bore. This nesting allows the damping function to be integrated into the existing hinge structure without requiring a completely separate damper component, thereby improving performance while limiting the increase in overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the basic hinge function for door support and rotation, while simultaneously incorporating a damper mechanism for controlled door opening and closing. The single assembly performs both structural support and motion control functions, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying installation.
2Reliability
If specialized damped hinge assemblies are used, then door opening/closing performance is improved, but installation requires modification and compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed with universal mounting features that allow it to be installed in place of conventional undamped hinge assemblies. The overall outer dimensions are constrained to fit within the space available in standard oven door applications, and the mounting interfaces are designed to be compatible with conventional installation methods, enabling the damped hinge to replace undamped hinges without requiring modified installation procedures.
3Ease of operation
If a damper with spring and fluid is added to the hinge assembly, then damping control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper components (piston, rod, spring, and damping fluid) are nested within the hinge assembly structure. The piston is received within a bore, the spring is contained within the same bore, and the rod extends from the bore. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple damping components into a compact integrated unit, improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.
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 provides a flexible and customizable hinge system that enhances the door's opening and closing performance, allowing for adjustable damping to suit specific appliance needs, improving user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore
Implementation Method 2
A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A damped hinge assembly includes a hinge arm adapted to be connected to an associated appliance body. A channel is pivotally connected to the hinge arm and is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A damper is operatively connected between the channel and the hinge arm. The damper includes a body defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore. An oven or other appliance includes at least one damped hinge assembly. The appliance can include two damped hinge assemblies, each with or without the spring, arranged such that one hinge assembly provides damping primarily during opening of the appliance door and the other hinge assembly provides damping primarily during closing of the appliance door.