Thimble Hinge Assembly for Common-Axis Door-in-Door Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door-in-door refrigerator appliances with a common axis of rotation often have complex hinge assemblies that are difficult to install, require many parts, and are prone to product failures.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly comprising a door plate, cabinet plate, and a thimble with inner and outer bearing surfaces, allowing the inner and outer doors to rotate about a common axis, simplifying installation and reducing parts while enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex hinge assemblies with multiple parts are used for common axis door-in-door units, then the doors can rotate about a common axis, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming to install, increases the number of required parts, and increases the occurrence of product failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hinge components into a single integrated thimble assembly. The thimble serves as a common rotational axis for both the inner door and outer door, eliminating the need for separate hinge mechanisms for each door. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts, simplifies installation, and improves reliability by reducing potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The thimble assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the rotational axis for the inner door, the rotational axis for the outer door, and provides bearing surfaces for both doors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hinge assemblies and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the common axis rotation capability.
2Ease of operation
If complex hinge assemblies with multiple parts are used for common axis door-in-door units, then the doors can rotate about a common axis, but the installation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple hinge components into a single thimble assembly, the installation process is simplified. Instead of installing and aligning multiple separate parts, the integrated thimble can be installed as one unit, significantly reducing installation time and difficulty while maintaining the common axis rotation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system is segmented into two main functional units: the integrated thimble assembly serving as the common axis mechanism, and the door plates attached to each door. This segmentation allows the complex rotational mechanism to be pre-assembled and tested as a unit, making field installation easier and more reliable.
3Device complexity
If a thimble with inner and outer bearing surfaces is used, then the number of components is reduced and installation is simplified, but the bearing surfaces must precisely support both rotating doors
Solution Approach 1:
The thimble acts as an intermediary component between the inner door and outer door, providing standardized bearing surfaces that mediate the rotational motion of both doors. By establishing the thimble as the fixed reference element, the manufacturing precision requirements are concentrated on this single component rather than requiring precise alignment between multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surfaces of the thimble are designed with uniform geometric characteristics and standardized dimensions. This homogeneity allows for consistent manufacturing and assembly, reducing the complexity of achieving precise alignment. The symmetric design of the bearing surfaces ensures that both doors can rotate smoothly about the common axis with equal precision.
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 proposed hinge assembly simplifies installation, reduces the number of components, and minimizes product failures, providing a reliable and efficient mechanism for rotating the inner and outer doors of door-in-door refrigerators.
Implementation Method 1
a thimble defining a thimble axis and comprising a wall having an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface, the inner bearing surface defining a first passage, and wherein the door plate is supported for rotation at the outer bearing surface and the cabinet plate is supported for rotation at the inner bearing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for a door-in-door assembly includes a door plate, a cabinet plate, and a thimble. The thimble has a wall having an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface, the inner bearing surface defining a first passage. The door plate is supported for rotation at the outer bearing surface. The cabinet plate includes a pivot pin that is supported for rotation at the inner bearing surface.