Domestic appliance and hinge of a domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for household appliances, particularly top-loading washing machines, lack a convenient intermediate position that can be easily adopted after use, which is essential for ventilation and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a control lever and control cam mechanism that allows the lid to automatically pivot into an intermediate position for ventilation and can be easily switched between open and closed positions, with a detent depression for secure latching and a heart-shaped cam path for smooth movement, integrated with a damper for gentle closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge is designed with spring assistance to automatically open the lid, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain an intermediate position for ventilation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs a cam mechanism with varying radius that dynamically changes the mechanical advantage during lid rotation. The cam profile is designed such that during opening it allows spring-assisted automatic opening, while during closing it enables the lid to be held at an intermediate position. This dynamic variation in mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between automatic opening and intermediate position holding capability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a hinge includes a detent mechanism to hold intermediate positions, then the stability of the intermediate position is improved, but the ease of transition between positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-designed with a specific profile that creates a detent effect during the closing motion. As the lid approaches the intermediate position during closing, the cam profile automatically engages with the follower, creating a stable held position without requiring additional user action. This preliminary design of the cam geometry resolves the contradiction by embedding the stabilization function directly into the motion path.
3Volume of moving object
If a hinge is designed to be compact, then the space saving is improved, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single cam mechanism: the cam profile simultaneously controls the spring assistance during opening, provides mechanical advantage variation during closing, and creates the detent effect for intermediate position holding. By combining these functions into one integrated component rather than separate mechanisms, the design achieves compactness while managing complexity through functional integration.
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 ensures effective ventilation of the washing machine drum, provides a convenient intermediate position for reduced odor formation and visual appeal, and allows easy loading and unloading by allowing the lid to be directly transitioned between closed and open positions with minimal effort.
Implementation Method 1
a control cam is formed on the second hinge member, in which a control pin formed on the control lever is guided. The control cam is shaped such that, during a closing movement of the hinge from the open position, an intermediate position is assumed and held
Implementation Method 2
A detent recess is formed in the control cam in which the control pin engages in the intermediate position
Implementation Method 3
The hinge also features a damper to cushion the closing movement
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinge for a domestic appliance for pivotably fastening a lid (2) to a body (1) of the domestic appliance, comprising a first hinge element (10) and a second hinge element (20), which are pivotably connected to each other and which can be pivoted in relation to each other between an open position and a closed position. The hinge is characterized in that a control lever (34) is rotatably supported on the first hinge element (10) and a control gate (222) is formed on the second hinge element (20), in which control gate a control pin (341) formed on the control lever (34) is guided, wherein the control gate (222) is shaped in such a way that, during a closing motion of the hinge, an intermediate position is assumed and held until the closing motion is continued to the closed position, whereas the hinge is pivoted to the open position during an opening motion from the closed position. The invention further relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a top-loading washing machine, comprising a body (1), to which a lid (2) is pivotably fastened by means of at least one such hinge.