CN103836874B

CN103836874B - Refrigerating appliance with door hinge components

Info

Publication number: CN103836874B
Application number: CN201210486612.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·菲舍尔; 宋继聪; 丁渊; 崔杨
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-21
Filing date: 2012-11-21
Publication date: 2019-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-21
Also published as: CN103836874A; EP2735828A1

Abstract

The present invention is about a kind of refrigerating appliance.Refrigerating appliance includes main body, the door that the main body can be rotatingly connected to around rotation axis and the hinge component for connecting door and main body.Hinge component includes to adjust regulating part (3) of the door with respect to the height of main body, and regulating part (3) has the first threaded portion (31) and is disposed at least substantially parallel to the end wall (36) of horizontal plane；Second threaded portion (41), when regulating part (3) is rotated around rotation axis, one of the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion can move in the vertical direction along another in the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion；And horizontal wall (23), one of horizontal wall and end wall (36) are at least partly sitting on another in horizontal wall and end wall.Suggestion according to the present invention, one in end wall and horizontal wall has at least one recess portion (25), another in end wall and horizontal wall then has at least one protrusion (35), and each protrusion (35) optionally falls into or remove at least one recess portion.

Description

Refrigeration device with door hinge assembly

[ technical field ]

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, and more particularly to a refrigeration appliance such as a refrigerator, a wine chest, a freezer, and the like, having a door hinge assembly.

[ background art ]

It is known to adjust the height of a door hinged to the body of a refrigeration appliance relative to the body by means of a door hinge assembly of a height adjustment mechanism, which may vary in height relative to the body. For example, CN102365515A discloses an adjustable hinge assembly for a pivoting door, comprising a pivot shaft fixed to a hinge plate, the pivot shaft having a threaded portion and defining a rotation axis of the door, an adjusting member fitted over the pivot shaft, the adjusting member having internal threads rotatable along the threaded portion of the pivot shaft to adjust the height of the door, and a locking member to maintain the position of the adjusting member along the pivot shaft. During the rotation, the adjusting member moves up and down to move the door up or down. The locking member extends through one of a plurality of recesses provided in the outer periphery of the adjustment member, requiring removal of the locking member when rotating the adjustment member, which not only requires additional parts of the hinge assembly but also complicates the door height adjustment procedure. Further, since the height of the door is steplessly adjusted, it is not easy for a user to know the height at which the door has been adjusted when adjusting the height of the door.

[ summary of the invention ]

The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems and to provide a refrigeration appliance which prevents an accidental rotation of the door height adjustment in a simple and reliable manner.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention pertains to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance comprises a main body, a door rotatably connected to the main body around a rotation axis, and a hinge assembly connecting the door and the main body; the hinge assembly includes: an adjustment member for adjusting the height of the door relative to the body, the adjustment member having a first threaded portion and an end wall that is at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane; a second screw part screw-coupled with the first screw part, one of the first screw part and the second screw part being movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first screw part and the second screw part when the adjusting member is rotated about the rotation axis; and a horizontal wall, one of said horizontal wall and said end wall at least partially seated on the other of said horizontal wall and said end wall; wherein one of said end wall and said horizontal wall has at least one recess and the other of said end wall and said horizontal wall has at least one protrusion, each of said protrusions being selectively retractable into and out of said at least one recess.

Thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of accidental rotation of the adjustment member when the male portion falls into the female portion, thereby reducing the likelihood of unwanted variations in the height of the door; on the other hand, the convex portion is moved out of the concave portion by applying an appropriate rotational force to the adjusting member, and the adjusting member is rotated to adjust the height of the door.

The above object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the end wall and the horizontal wall has a plurality of the recesses which surround the rotation axis and are spaced apart from each other by the same distance, and the at least one protrusion is selectively movable into and out of any one of the recesses. Thus, it is possible to realize the height of the level difference adjusting gate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the other of the end wall and the horizontal wall has a plurality of the protrusions, the plurality of protrusions respectively surround the rotation axis and adjacent protrusions are respectively spaced apart at the same distance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment member step adjusts the height of the door.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recesses and/or the protrusions are in the shape of an inverted cone.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection is formed on the regulating member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal wall is formed by a hinge bracket having one end connected to the main body, the end wall is a lower end wall of the adjusting member, the end wall is seated on the hinge bracket when the adjusting member is rotated, and the second screw part is moved in a vertical direction.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment member can be rotated to move up to a position away from the hinge bracket.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end wall is formed by an upper end wall of the adjusting member, the horizontal wall is formed by the door or a member between the door and the upper end wall, the horizontal wall is seated on the end wall, and the adjusting member is vertically moved along the second threaded part when the adjusting member is rotated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hinge shaft is included, and the second threaded portion is formed by the hinge shaft.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge comprises a hinge shaft and a top member sleeved on the hinge shaft, and the second threaded part is formed on the top member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first threaded portion is an internal thread, and the second threaded portion is an external thread.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance comprises a main body, a door rotatably connected to the main body around a rotation axis, and a hinge assembly connecting the door and the main body; the hinge assembly includes:

an adjustment member for adjusting the height of the door relative to the body, the adjustment member having a first threaded portion and an end wall that is at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane; a second screw part screw-coupled with the first screw part, one of the first screw part and the second screw part being movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first screw part and the second screw part when the adjusting member is rotated about the rotation axis; wherein the adjustment member step adjusts the height of the door.

Preferably, the refrigeration appliance comprises a horizontal wall, one of the horizontal wall and the end wall at least partially sitting on the other of the horizontal wall and the end wall; one of the end wall and the horizontal wall has a plurality of recesses, and the other of the end wall and the horizontal wall has at least one protrusion, the plurality of recesses surrounding the rotational axis and adjacent recesses being equally spaced, each protrusion being selectively movable into and out of either recess.

The construction of the present invention and other objects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[ description of the drawings ]

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherein,

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigeration appliance door and hinge assembly assembled together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a hinge assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly at another height in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an adjustment member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[ detailed description of the invention ]

Fig. 1 shows a partial perspective view of a refrigeration appliance 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator appliance 100 includes a main body 101 having a storage chamber and a pair of doors 102, 102' connected to the main body 101 to close or open the storage chamber. Doors 102, 102' are respectively hinged at left and right sides of the body 101 to open or close the corresponding storage compartments.

The refrigerator appliance 100 includes a hinge assembly 1 connected between a lower end of each door 102, 102' and the main body 101, respectively. The hinge assembly 1 is provided to adjust the height of the corresponding door 102, 102' with respect to the main body 101, respectively. The hinge assembly 1 will be described in detail below by taking the hinge assembly 1 coupled to the door 102 as an example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigeration appliance door and hinge assembly assembled together in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; fig. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a hinge assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2 and 3 in conjunction with fig. 1, the hinge assembly 1 includes a hinge frame 2 having one end fixed to the main body 101, a hinge shaft 8 fixed to the hinge frame 2 and defining a rotation axis X of the door 102, and an adjusting member 3 for adjusting a height of the door 102 with respect to the main body 101.

The hinge bracket 2 includes a mounting portion 21 fixed to the main body 101. The mounting portion 21 may be provided with a plurality of fixing holes 22 to allow suitable fasteners (not shown) to pass through the mounting portion to secure the hinge bracket to the main body 101. The fixing member may be a screw. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 21 is attached to the bottom surface of the main body 101. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge bracket may also be fixed to the front surface of the main body by appropriately changing the shape of the hinge bracket, which is particularly suitable for the case where the hinge assembly is a center hinge.

The hinge bracket 2 includes a plate-shaped support portion 23 extending forward from the mounting portion 21. The support 23 is perpendicular to the front surface of the main body 101, and thus is a wall parallel to a horizontal plane.

The hinge assembly 1 includes a hinge shaft 8 fixed to the hinge bracket 2, the hinge shaft 8 defining a rotation axis of the door 102. In the present embodiment, the hinge shaft 8 is immovable with respect to the main body 101.

The hinge shaft 8 is fixed to the support 23 and extends vertically upward from the support 23. During the rotation of the door 102, the hinge shaft 8 is not movable relative to the support 23. In this embodiment, the hinge shaft 8 and the support 23 are separately manufactured and then assembled together. Specifically, the hinge shaft 8 passes through a shaft fixing hole 24 on the support 23 and is welded on the support 23.

The hinge frame 8 may include a pair of axis-fixing holes 24 symmetrical with respect to a central axis of a length direction thereof to allow the hinge frame 8 to be simultaneously adapted to be coupled with the doors 102 and 102'.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinge shaft 8 and the support 23 may also be one integral part.

In this embodiment, the hinge shaft 8 is a hollow cylinder with a central hole 80. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge axis may also be a solid cylinder.

The upper end of the hinge shaft 8 protrudes into the door 102 so that the door 102 can rotate about a rotation axis defined by the hinge shaft 8.

The adjusting member 3 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 8 and can rotate around the hinge shaft 8 to adjust the height of the door 102 relative to the main body 101. The adjusting member 3 has a first threaded portion 31 that is an internal thread. The outer peripheral surface of the adjusting member 3 may be configured like a nut to be suitable for the operation of a standard tool such as a wrench.

The adjusting member 3 is hollow and comprises a lower end wall 36 and an upper end wall 37. The upper end wall 36 and the lower end wall 37 are at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, which may include the case where the upper end wall 36 and the lower end wall 37 are exactly parallel to a horizontal plane or substantially parallel to a horizontal plane.

The adjuster 3 includes an adjusting portion 32 whose inner peripheral surface forms a first threaded portion 31. In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting member 3 may further include a base portion 33 connected to a lower end of the adjusting portion 32 and having an inner diameter larger than that of the adjusting portion 32, so that a connecting surface connecting inner circumferential surfaces of the base portion 33 and the adjusting portion 32 is formed therebetween, and the connecting surface forms a second stopper portion 34 for cooperating with a first stopper portion 5 described below.

In this embodiment, the second stop 34 is a substantially annular wall, which may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation X. The inner surface of the base 33 may be smooth.

The hinge assembly 1 includes a top member 4 threadedly coupled with the adjusting member 3. The top member 4 has a through hole 40 penetrating the top member 4 in the rotation axis X direction to fit on the hinge shaft 8, and has a second threaded portion 41 that is an external thread to be engaged with the first threaded portion 31. The second screw portion 41 is formed by a hollow cylindrical portion 42 of the top member 4. In the radial direction, the cylindrical portion 42 is inserted in the adjuster 3 between the hinge shaft 8 and the adjuster 3.

The door 102 is supported by the upper end face of the top member 4. The top member 4 may further have a platform portion 43 for enlarging the upper end surface area of the top member 4.

The top piece 4 is non-rotatably connected to the hinge axis 8 in relation to the hinge axis 8. In this embodiment, the rotation prevention structure to prevent the top member 4 from rotating relative to the hinge shaft 8 includes a groove 81 formed by the hinge shaft 8 and extending in the rotation axis X direction, and a protrusion 44 formed by the top member and protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 40 and protruding into the groove 81. The projection 44 may extend over the entire axial length of the top piece 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the rotation prevention structure may also include a groove extending in the direction of the rotation axis X formed by the top member, and a protrusion in which the outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft protrudes and protrudes into the groove.

The hinge assembly 1 may further include a first stopper 5 connected to a lower end of the top member 4. The first stopper portion 5 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the top member 4, and overlaps the second stopper portion 34 in the direction of the rotation axis X. Thus, the top piece 4 with the first stop 5 cannot enter the hole of the adjustment part 32 of the adjustment piece 3 but can move in the vertical direction within the hole of the base part 33 of the adjustment piece 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the first stop 5 is formed by a collar that is fitted over the top piece 4. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 41 may be formed with a ring of radially recessed retaining grooves 45, and the retainer ring is clamped in the retaining grooves 45 to prevent the retainer ring from moving in the direction of the rotation axis X.

During assembly, the adjusting element 3 may be screwed onto the top element 4, preferably with the end of the top element 4 extending beyond the adjusting element 3, in order to connect the first stop 5 to the lower end of the top element 4. Then, the assembled adjusting member 3, top member 4 and first stopper 5 are fitted over the hinge shaft 8. In this case, the top part 4 can be supported directly on the hinge bracket 2, and the adjusting part 3 can even form a distance with the hinge bracket 2.

The hinge assembly 1 may further include a door closing unit 6 located between the top piece 4 and the bottom of the door 102. The door closing unit 6 may include an upper door closing member 61 immovably fixed to the bottom of the door 102 and a lower door closing member 62 connected to the upper end of the top member 4, the upper door closing member 61 and the lower door closing member 62 having cam curved surfaces, respectively, and the cam curved surfaces being in face-to-face contact.

The lower door closing member 62 is fixed to the top member 4 so as not to be rotatable relative to the top member 4. In a preferred embodiment, holes may be formed in the platform portion 42 of the bottom closure door 62 and the top member 4, respectively, and a fastener (not shown, such as a screw) may be inserted through the holes and secure the bottom closure door 62 and the top member 4 together. In an alternative embodiment, one or more spaced, projecting tabs may be formed on one of the top member 4 and the lower door closure member 62 and the other of the top member 4 and the lower door closure member 62 may be formed with corresponding recesses/holes to form a bayonet connection, thereby preventing rotation of the top member 4 relative to the lower door closure member 62.

In an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the lower door closing member 62 to be integrally formed on the top member 4.

The upper door closing member 61 may further include a boss portion 611 to surround the hinge shaft 8.

When the hinge assembly 1 is coupled to the door 102 and the main body 101, the top member 4 may be seated on the hinge bracket 2 to be directly supported by the hinge bracket 2, and the adjusting member 3 and the hinge bracket 2 may form a space therebetween to be in a rest state. Since the weight of the door 102 is directly supported by the hinge bracket 2 at this time, not by the first and second screw parts 31 and 41 which are screw-coupled, this is particularly advantageous in reducing the probability that the first and second screw parts 31 and 41 are damaged due to the door 102 being likely to shake up and down during transportation of the refrigeration appliance 100.

When it is desired to adjust the height of the door 102 relative to the main body 101, the adjustment member 3 can be rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) and the adjustment member 3 moved down the top member 4 until it contacts the hinge bracket 2, as shown in FIG. 4. In this process, the top member 4 is kept stationary, and the height of the door 102 supported by the top member 4 with respect to the main body 101 is also constant, while the top member 4 and the door 102 are both at the lowest position of the door adjustment range determined by the adjusting member 3.

After the adjusting member 3 is seated to the hinge bracket 2, the adjusting member 3 is in an adjusting state in which the height of the door 102 is adjustable. If the adjusting member 3 is continued to be rotated in the first direction, the adjusting member 3 remains seated on (i.e., remains in contact with) the hinge bracket 2 and drives the top member 4 upward along the hinge shaft 8 via the engagement of the first threaded portion 31 and the second threaded portion 41 to move upward against the door 102. In this process, the distance between the top member 4 and the hinge bracket 2 is gradually increased, and the door 102 is gradually raised.

When the top member 4 moves upward until the first stopping portion 5 moving upward along with the top member 4 contacts the second stopping portion 34 of the adjusting member 3, the top member 4 cannot move upward any more, and the adjusting member 3 seated on the hinge bracket 2 cannot rotate in the first direction any more. As shown in fig. 5, the top member 4 is moved upward to a maximum height. The top member 4 and the door 102 are adjusted to the highest position of the door adjustment range determined by the adjusting member 3.

Preferably, all threads of first threaded portion 31 and threads of second threaded portion 41 remain threadedly connected when top member 4 is moved up to the maximum limit height.

When it is required to lower the height of the door 102, the adjusting member 3 seated on the hinge bracket 2 is rotated in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite to the first direction, and the top member 4 is driven to move down along the hinge shaft 8, thereby moving the door 102 supported on the top member 4 downward together. When the lower end of the top member 4 and the hinge bracket 2 are in direct contact, the top member 4 and the door 102 supported by the top member 4 reach the lowermost position.

When the top member 4 is seated directly on the hinge bracket 2, if the adjusting member 3 is continuously rotated in the second direction, the adjusting member may move upward along the second screw portion 41 of the top member 4 to be spaced apart from the hinge bracket 2 to be suspended, and the top member 4 remains seated on the hinge bracket 2. At this point, the adjusting member 3 is in a rest condition, the top member 4 being held in a lowermost position. As described above, rotating the adjuster 3 in the first direction causes the suspended adjuster 3 to move down the top member 4 until it contacts the hinge bracket 2.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, when the height of the door 102 is adjusted, the adjusting member 3 is always in contact with the hinge bracket 2, and the driving top member 4 moves up or down in the direction of the rotation axis X; furthermore, when the top member 4 reaches the lowest position, the top member 4 can be seated on the hinge bracket 2, and if the adjusting member 3 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the adjusting member 3 can move up to a suspended state along the immovable top member 4 without bearing the weight of the door 102, which is advantageous for preventing the screw threads of the adjusting member 3 and the top member 4 from being damaged, for example, during transportation; when the top member 4 moves up to the first and second stoppers 5 and 34, the top member 4 cannot move up any more, which prevents the adjusting member 3 and the top member 4 from falling off due to excessive rotation of the adjusting member 3.

In a preferred embodiment, referring to fig. 3 to 6, the upper surface of the hinge bracket 2 has a plurality of recesses 25 spaced around the shaft fixing hole 24. The recesses 25 may be distributed in a common concentric ring. The lower end surface of the adjusting member 3 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 35, and each protrusion 35 can be at least partially received in any one of the recesses 25. In an alternative embodiment, the adjusting element 3 can also be provided with only one projection 35 or two projections 35 which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the adjusting element 3.

When the adjusting member 3 is rotated, each of the convex portions 35 is moved out of the original concave portion 25 and rotated along the upper surface of the hinge bracket 2 until it falls into the concave portion 25 adjacent to the original concave portion 25, which gives a user/worker who operates the adjusting member a distinct indication feeling.

These recesses 25 are equally spaced apart, i.e. each time the adjustment member 3 is rotated through a predetermined angle (i.e. the height of the door 102 is correspondingly adjusted by a predetermined height), the user is clearly aware of the slight change in height of the adjustment member 3 in the longitudinal direction caused by the projection 35 falling into the recess 25 and the change in effort required to rotate the adjustment member 3 again. That is, the user can adjust the height of the door 102 stepwise by a predetermined step difference. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, there are six recesses 25 in each shaft fixing hole 24, which are distributed at equal intervals, i.e. each step requires the user to rotate the adjusting member 3 by 60 degrees.

As shown in fig. 6, each of the projections 35 preferably has an inverted conical shape with a rounded transition at the apex. The recess 25 may also be configured as an inverted cone adapted to mate with the protrusion 35. The taper angle of the concave portion 25 and the convex portion 35 is preferably greater than 90 degrees, such as between 90 degrees and 120 degrees.

The height of the recesses 25 and protrusions 35 is preferably less than 1 mm, for example 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm.

Further, since the height of the door 102 can be adjusted step by a predetermined margin by the adjusting member 3 with the convex portion 35 and the concave portion 25 in the plug-in connection, the adjusting member 3 does not rotate without a large rotational force being applied to the adjusting member 3, that is, the adjusting member 3 can be prevented from rotating unexpectedly.

In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to form the recess on the lower end surface of the adjusting member and the projection on the hinge bracket.

When the height of the step difference adjusting door 102 is not required, only a pair of the abutting concave and convex portions may be provided between the adjuster 3 and the support portion 23.

In the above embodiment, when the adjuster 3 is rotated, the lower end wall 36 of the adjuster 3 is seated on the horizontal wall formed by the support portion 23 of the hinge bracket 2, and the height of the door 102 lifted by the top member forming the second threaded portion 41 with respect to the main body 101 is changed by the second threaded portion 41 engaged with the first threaded portion 31 of the adjuster 3 moving in the vertical direction along the first threaded portion 31. Therefore, a convex portion and a concave portion for preventing the adjustment member 3 from being rotated accidentally and/or adjusting the door height by a level difference are provided on the lower end wall of the adjustment member 3 and the hinge bracket. However, the applicability of the concave and convex portions for preventing the adjustment member 3 from being accidentally rotated and/or adjusting the door height by the level difference should not be limited thereto, but may also be applicable to other occasions, for example, a scheme in which the adjustment member itself moves in the vertical direction when the adjustment member is rotated and/or a scheme in which the second screw portion is directly formed on the hinge shaft.

Fig. 7 is a schematic partial sectional view of a hinge assembly 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, the hinge assembly 1a includes a hinge bracket 2a fixable to the refrigerator main body, a hinge shaft 8a coupled to the hinge bracket 2a, and an adjusting member 3a fitted over the hinge shaft 8a and threadedly coupled to the hinge shaft 8 a. The hinge shaft 8a is connected to the hinge bracket 2 a: the hinge shaft 8a is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the hinge frame 2a, but is not rotatable with respect to the hinge frame 2 a.

The adjusting piece 3a is seated on a horizontal wall 23a of the hinge bracket 2a forming a support portion. The hinge assembly 1a further includes a door supporting portion 62a immovably fixed to the hinge shaft 8a, and the door supporting portion 62a is supported at a lower end of the door of the refrigerator so that the height of the door with respect to the main body can be changed as the height of the hinge shaft 8a is changed. The door support portion 62a may be formed by a pair of lower door closing pieces of the door closing unit 6a that abut against the cam curved surface.

When the adjusting piece 3a is rotated, the hinge shaft 8a moves in a vertical direction along the screw thread of the adjusting piece 3a, thereby changing the height of the door. At least one recess 25 a/protrusion may be formed on the lower end wall 36a of the adjuster 3a, and a corresponding protrusion 35 a/recess (not shown) may be formed on the horizontal wall 23a of the hinge bracket 2a, by which the adjuster 3a may be prevented from being rotated unintentionally, by which the number and position of the recesses and/or protrusions may be set appropriately, by which the step adjustment of the door height may be achieved.

Fig. 8 is a schematic partial sectional view of a hinge assembly 1b according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 8, the hinge shaft 8b is immovably fixed to the hinge bracket 2b, the adjusting member 3b is fitted over the hinge shaft 8b, and the internal thread of the adjusting member 3b is threadedly coupled with the external thread of the hinge shaft 8 b. The door closing unit 6b sits on the upper end wall 37b of the adjuster 3b, i.e., the horizontal wall 62b formed by the lower wall of the door closing unit 6b and the upper end wall 37b are engaged.

When the adjusting piece 3b is rotated relative to the hinge shaft 8b, the adjusting piece 3b can be moved in the vertical direction along the hinge shaft 8b, so that the height of the refrigerator door supported by the adjusting piece 3b in the longitudinal direction is adjusted. The upper end wall 37b and the horizontal wall 62b of the adjusting member 3b may be formed with the above-described convex portion 35b and concave portion 25b, respectively, for preventing the unintentional rotation of the adjusting member 3b, and the step adjustment of the door height is achieved by appropriately setting the number and position of the concave and/or convex portions and by cooperation of these concave and convex portions. In an alternative embodiment, where no closer assembly is provided above the adjustment member 3b, it is also possible that the anti-rotation structure formed by the recess and the protrusion is provided between a horizontal wall fixed to or forming an integral part of the door and the upper end wall 37b of the adjustment member 3 b.

The various embodiments of the individual components described in connection with fig. 1 to 8 may be combined with each other in any given way to achieve the advantages of the invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and other means than those shown may be generally used as long as the same effects are obtained.

List of reference numerals

Refrigeration appliance 100 main body 101

Door 102, 102' hinge assembly 1, 1a, 1b

Hinge mount 2, 2a, 2b mounting 21

Fixing hole 22 support 23

Shaft fixing hole 24 recesses 25, 25a, 25b

First threaded portion 31 of adjusting member 3, 3a, 3b

Base 33 of adjusting part 32

Second stop 34 projections 35, 35a, 35b

Top piece 4 through hole 40

Second screw part 41 tube part 42

Platform 43 tab 44

First stop 5 door closing unit 6, 6a, 6b

The upper door closing member 61 boss portion 611

Lower door closing member 62 hinge axis 8, 8a, 8b

Center hole 80 groove 81

Upper end wall 36 of rotation axis X

Lower end wall 37

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance (100) comprising a main body (101), a door (102, 102 ') rotatably connected to the main body (101) about an axis of rotation (X), and a hinge assembly (1, 1a, 1b) connecting the door (102, 102') and the main body (101); the hinge assembly (1, 1a, 1b) comprises:

-an adjustment member (3, 3a, 3b) for adjusting the height of the door (102, 102') relative to the body (101), the adjustment member (3, 3a, 3b) having a first threaded portion (31) and an end wall (36, 36a, 37b) parallel or substantially parallel to a horizontal plane;

a second threaded portion (41) threadedly coupled to the first threaded portion (31), one of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) being movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) when the adjusting member (3, 3a, 3b) is rotated about the rotation axis (X); and

a horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) on which one of the horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) and the end wall (36, 36a, 37b) is seated at least partially when the adjusting member (3, 3a) is rotated such that one of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) is movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41);

characterized in that one of said end wall (36, 36a, 37b) and said horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) has at least one recess (25, 25a, 25b) and the other of said end wall (36, 36a, 37b) and said horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) has at least one protrusion (35, 35a, 35b), each of said protrusions (35, 35a, 35b) being selectively retractable into or out of said at least one recess (25, 25a, 25 b).

2. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein one of said end walls (36, 36a, 37b) and said horizontal walls (23, 23a, 62b) has a plurality of said recesses (25, 25a, 25b), said plurality of recesses (25, 25a, 25b) surrounding said axis of rotation (X) and adjacent recesses (25) being spaced apart at equal intervals, said at least one protrusion (35, 35a, 35b) being selectively movable into and out of any one of said recesses (25, 25a, 25 b).

3. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 2, wherein the other of said end wall (36, 36a, 37b) and said horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) has a plurality of said protrusions (35, 35a, 35b), said plurality of protrusions (35, 35a, 35b) each surrounding said rotation axis (X) and adjacent protrusions (35, 35a, 35b) each being spaced apart by the same distance.

4. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment member (3, 3a, 3b) step adjusts the height of the door (102, 102').

5. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (25, 25a, 25b) and/or the projection (35, 35a, 35b) is/are of inverted cone shape.

6. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (25, 25a, 25b) and/or the projection (35, 35a, 35b) is/are of inverted cone shape.

7. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 3, wherein the recess (25, 25a, 25b) and/or the projection (35, 35a, 35b) is/are of inverted cone shape.

8. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 4, wherein the recess (25, 25a, 25b) and/or the projection (35, 35a, 35b) is/are of inverted cone shape.

9. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the projection (35, 35b) is formed on the adjustment member (3, 3 b).

10. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said horizontal wall (23, 23a) is formed by a hinge bracket (2, 2a) connected at one end to said main body (101), said end wall (36, 36a) being the lower end wall of said adjustment member (3, 3a), said end wall (36, 36a) sitting on said hinge bracket (2, 2a) when said adjustment member (3, 3a) is rotated, said second threaded portion (41) moving in a vertical direction.

11. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 9, wherein said horizontal wall (23, 23a) is formed by a hinge bracket (2, 2a) connected at one end to said main body (101), said end wall (36, 36a) being a lower end wall of said adjustment member (3, 3a), said end wall (36, 36a) sitting on said hinge bracket (2, 2a) when said adjustment member (3, 3a) is rotated, said second threaded portion (41) moving in a vertical direction.

12. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjusting piece (3) can be rotated to move up to a position away from the hinge bracket (2, 2 a).

13. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 11, wherein the adjustment member (3) can be rotated to move up to a position away from the hinge bracket (2, 2 a).

14. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said end wall (37b) is formed by an upper end wall of said adjustment member (3b), said horizontal wall (62b) being formed by said door or a part (6b) located between said door and said upper end wall, said horizontal wall (62b) being seated on said end wall (37b), said adjustment member (3b) moving vertically along said second threaded portion when said adjustment member (3b) is rotated.

15. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 9, wherein said end wall (37b) is formed by an upper end wall of said adjustment member (3b), said horizontal wall (62b) being formed by said door or a part (6b) located between said door and said upper end wall, said horizontal wall (62b) being seated on said end wall (37b), said adjustment member (3b) being vertically moved along said second threaded portion when said adjustment member (3b) is rotated.

16. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

17. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 9, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

18. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 10, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

19. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 11, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

20. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 12, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

21. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 13, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

22. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 14, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

23. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 15, comprising a hinge axis (8a, 8b), said second threaded portion being formed by said hinge axis (8a, 8 b).

24. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) fitted over the hinge shaft (8), the second threaded portion (41) being formed on the top member (4).

25. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 9, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) fitted over the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

26. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 10, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

27. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 11, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

28. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 12, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

29. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 13, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

30. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 14, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

31. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 15, comprising a hinge shaft (8) and a top member (4) sleeved on the hinge shaft (8), wherein the second threaded portion (41) is formed on the top member (4).

32. The refrigeration appliance (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first threaded portion (31) is an internal thread and the second threaded portion (41) is an external thread.

33. A refrigeration appliance (100) comprising a main body (101), a door (102, 102 ') rotatably connected to the main body about an axis of rotation (X), and a hinge assembly (1, 1a, 1b) connecting the door (102, 102') and the main body (101); the hinge assembly (1, 1a, 1b) comprises:

a second threaded portion (41) threadedly coupled to the first threaded portion (31), one of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) being movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) when the adjusting member (3, 3a, 3b) is rotated about the rotation axis (X);

characterized in that the adjustment member (3, 3a, 3b) is stepped to adjust the height of the door (102, 102'); comprises a horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) on which one of the horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) and the end wall (36, 36a, 37b) is seated at least partially when the adjusting member (3, 3a) is rotated so that one of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41) is movable in a vertical direction along the other of the first threaded portion (31) and the second threaded portion (41);

wherein one of the end wall (36, 36a, 37b) and the horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) has a plurality of recesses (25, 25a, 25b), and the other of the end wall (36, 36a, 37b) and the horizontal wall (23, 23a, 62b) has at least one protrusion (35, 35a, 35b), the plurality of recesses (25, 25a, 25b) surrounding the axis of rotation (X) and being equally spaced from adjacent recesses (25), each protrusion (35, 35a, 35b) being selectively movable into and out of any one of the recesses (25, 25a, 25 b).