Symmetrical Hinge Bracket for Universal Left-Right Door Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance hinges require different embodiments for left and right installations, increasing development and assembly complexity due to asymmetrical bearing brackets.
Innovation Solution
A symmetrical bearing bracket design that can be installed on either the left or right side of the appliance, maintaining consistent door positioning and simplifying assembly by using a single component for both orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an asymmetrical bearing bracket is used for left or right door hinging, then the door can be mounted in a specific hinging direction, but different embodiments are required for left and right sides, increasing development and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse - it uses symmetry to solve an asymmetry problem. By designing the bearing bracket with symmetrical features (identical mounting holes, identical bearing positions relative to the mounting surface), a single bracket design can accommodate both left and right door hinging configurations, eliminating the need for separate left-handed and right-handed bracket variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bracket is designed to perform multiple functions with a single design - it can mount doors hinging to the left or to the right. The symmetrical configuration of mounting holes and bearing positions allows the same bracket to be universally applied to both left-side and right-side door installations, reducing the total number of unique components required.
2Ease of operation
If different bearing bracket embodiments are used for left and right installations, then proper door mounting is achieved, but production and assembly outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal bearing bracket design with symmetrical features replaces the need for separate left and right variants. This reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need to produce, inventory, and manage multiple bracket types, while simultaneously simplifying assembly operations as workers no longer need to determine which specific bracket variant is required for each installation location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of separate left-handed and right-handed bearing brackets into a single symmetrical design. By combining the features of both variants into one universal component, the patent reduces production variety and simplifies the supply chain while maintaining the capability to support both left and right door hinging configurations.
3Device complexity
If a symmetrical bearing bracket is used, then a single component can function for both left and right door orientations, but the design must maintain precise symmetry to ensure consistent door positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies symmetry (the opposite of asymmetry) to the bearing bracket design. By ensuring that the mounting holes, bearing positions, and overall geometry are symmetrical with respect to a central axis, the bracket can be mounted on either the left or right side of the door while maintaining consistent positioning and function. This symmetrical design eliminates the need for multiple hinge variants.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance includes a housing, at least one hinge mounted on a front of the housing, and a door mounted on the hinge and thus mounted pivotably relative to the housing. The hinge has a bearing bracket fastened to an end face of the front with at least one fastening element. The bearing bracket is constructed symmetrically, so that it can be installed either on a left end face of the front or on a right end face of the front, and in both installation situations the door mounted on the bearing bracket is situated in the same position relative to the housing in the height direction and the width direction of the household appliance when in the closed state. A method for producing a household appliance is also provided.