CN111288718A

CN111288718A - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN111288718A
Application number: CN202010108844.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姜明亮; 隋贺; 杨发林
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-21
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2020-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-21
Also published as: CN111288718B

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator, which comprises a refrigerator body, a door body and a power supply hinge for connecting the refrigerator body and the door body, wherein the power supply hinge comprises: the first hinge part is arranged on one of the box body and the door body and is provided with a hinge hole; the second hinge part is arranged on the other one of the box body and the door body and comprises a hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft is rotatably inserted into the hinge hole to allow the door body to rotate relative to the box body; a first terminal for connecting an electric wire, which is provided on a hole wall of the hinge hole; and a second terminal for connecting an electric wire, which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft and is in direct or indirect electrical communication with the first terminal. In the refrigerator, the power supply structure of the door body is novel, and the door body can be always kept in a connected state.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refrigerating and freezing device, in particular to a refrigerator.

Background

The main control panel of the refrigerator is usually disposed in the cabinet, and the door body is also provided with some electric components, such as a display screen, which all need to be powered by the main control panel.

The existing door body power supply mode is mainly characterized in that a hinge shaft is set to be a hollow shaft, an electric wire penetrates through a through hole of the hinge shaft of a box body, then the electric wire enters a shaft sleeve of the door body, and finally the electric part for the door body is connected. The manufacturer needs to perform threading and wiring operations when installing the door body, which is very inconvenient. The field of refrigerators also lacks innovative structures for the structure of the power supply to the door.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide a refrigerator with a novel door power supply structure.

A further object of the invention is to enable the power supply hinge to be always kept in the on state.

A further object of the invention is to enable the power supply hinge to perform both a good conductive function and a better hinge function as a hinge.

The invention provides a refrigerator, which comprises a refrigerator body, a door body and a power supply hinge for connecting the refrigerator body and the door body, wherein the power supply hinge comprises:

the first hinge part is arranged on one of the box body and the door body and is provided with a hinge hole;

the second hinge part is arranged on the other one of the box body and the door body and comprises a hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft is rotatably inserted into the hinge hole to allow the door body to rotate relative to the box body;

a first terminal for connecting an electric wire, which is provided on a hole wall of the hinge hole;

and a second terminal for connecting an electric wire, which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft and is in direct or indirect electrical communication with the first terminal.

Optionally, the first terminal comprises a plurality of first conductive rings coaxial with the hinge hole and disposed on a hole wall of the hinge hole; and the second terminal comprises a plurality of second conductive rings which are coaxial with the hinge shaft and are arranged on the peripheral surface of the hinge shaft, and each second conductive ring is directly or indirectly communicated with one first conductive ring for conducting electricity.

Optionally, each second conductive ring is located radially inward of its corresponding first conductive ring, and a plurality of conductive rollers are disposed between the second conductive ring and the first conductive ring, so as to conduct electricity through the plurality of conductive rollers; when the door body rotates, the conductive roller rolls along the circumferential direction of the hinge shaft.

Optionally, the conductive roller is spherical.

Optionally, the hole wall of the hinge hole and the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft are respectively provided with a plurality of grooves which are annular as a whole and have arc-shaped sections so as to clamp the conductive roller; when the door body rotates, the conductive roller rolls along the groove.

Optionally, each first conductive ring is in a flat plate shape, perpendicular to the axis of the hinge hole, and inserted into a first annular slot formed in the hole wall of the hinge hole; and each second conductive ring is in a flat plate shape, is perpendicular to the axis of the hinge shaft, and is inserted into a second annular slot formed in the outer surface of the hinge shaft.

Optionally, the first hinge portion is provided with a first threading hole for leading out an electric wire connected with the first conductive ring; and the hinge shaft is provided with a second threading hole for leading out the electric wire connected with the second conducting ring.

Optionally, the first hinge is mounted to the door body; the second hinge portion is mounted to the case.

Optionally, the second hinge portion comprises a hinge plate, the hinge plate being mounted to the box; the hinge shaft is fixed on the hinge plate.

Optionally, the power supply hinge is connected to the top of the door body.

In the refrigerator, the wires inside the refrigerator body and the door body are electrified through the two terminals (namely the first terminal and the second terminal), so the concept is very ingenious. Threading is not needed in the installation process of the door body, the problems of wire removal and wiring are not needed to be considered during disassembly and maintenance, and the operation is very simple.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the first conductive ring is disposed on the wall of the hinge hole, and the second conductive ring is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft, and the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring are not in direct contact, but are powered by the conductive roller. Therefore, the direct contact between the door body and the door body can be avoided, and the door body generates larger sliding friction when rotating, so that larger abrasion and noise are caused.

In the prior art, the hinge shaft and the hinge hole are usually in direct contact to form a sliding bearing structure. In the invention, the hinge hole, the hinge shaft and the plurality of conductive rollers just form a rolling bearing structure. In comparison, the rolling bearing structure undoubtedly enables the rotation to be smoother, the abrasion and the noise are smaller, and the reliability is higher.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Some specific embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter, by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same or similar elements or components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled schematic view of the powered hinge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the power hinge of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view of the power supply hinge of FIG. 3 with the hinge plate and support plate omitted;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

fig. 7 is an exploded view of the structure shown in fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; fig. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may generally include a cabinet 30, a door 20, and a power supply hinge 10 for connecting the cabinet 30 and the door 20. The case 30 defines a storage space having an opening 31. The door 20 is rotatably installed at an opening of the cabinet 30 to open or close the cabinet 30.

FIG. 3 is an assembled schematic view of the powered hinge of FIG. 2; fig. 4 is an exploded view of the power supply hinge shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the power supply hinge 10 includes a first hinge part 100, a second hinge part 200, a first terminal 400, and a second terminal 300. The first hinge portion 100 is mounted on one of the box 30 and the door 20, and the first hinge portion 100 is provided with a hinge hole 111. The second hinge 200 is mounted to the other of the body 30 and the door body 20, and the second hinge 200 includes a hinge shaft 210. The hinge shaft 210 is rotatably inserted into the hinge hole 111 to allow the door body 20 to rotate with respect to the cabinet 30.

In the drawings, only the first embodiment in which the first hinge portion 100 is attached to the door body 20 and the second hinge portion 200 is attached to the box body 30 is illustrated. The second embodiment in which the first hinge portion 100 is attached to the box body 30 and the second hinge portion 200 is attached to the door body 20 may be adapted to the first embodiment, and will not be described here.

It is understood that, in the case where the first hinge portion 100 is connected to the door 20 and the second hinge portion 200 is connected to the box body 30, the electric wire 60 connected to the first terminal 400 is connected to an electric component (e.g., a display control device) on the door 20. The electric wire 50 connected to the second terminal 300 is connected to an electric component (for example, a main control board) in the housing 30.

The first terminal 400 is used for connecting the electric wire 60 and is disposed on the hole wall of the hinge hole 111. The second terminal 300 is for connecting the electric wire 50, and is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 210. After the hinge shaft 210 is inserted into the hinge hole 111, the second terminal 300 is electrically connected to the first terminal 400 directly or indirectly. Here, the direct through conduction means that the second terminal 300 is in direct contact conduction with the first terminal 400. Indirect through conduction means that the second terminal 300 is not in contact with the first terminal 400, and another intermediate conductor is disposed therebetween, and the intermediate conductor is in contact with the second terminal 300 and the first terminal 400, and conduction is achieved. It is understood that the hinge shaft 210 and the first hinge part 100 are made of an insulating material.

In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electric wires inside the refrigerator body 30 and the door body 20 are energized through two terminals (i.e., the first terminal 400 and the second terminal 300), and the concept is very ingenious. Threading is not needed in the installation process of the door body, the problems of wire removal and wiring are not needed to be considered during disassembly and maintenance, and the operation is very simple. Moreover, the power supply is not influenced by the state of the door body, namely no matter the door body is closed or opened, the first terminal and the second terminal are always electrified, so that the door body integrating more and more display and control functions cannot be powered off, and more control functions can be given to the door body.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, in the case that the first hinge portion 100 is mounted to the door 20 and the second hinge portion 200 is mounted to the box body 30, the second hinge portion 200 may include a hinge plate 230, the hinge plate 230 is mounted to the box body 30, for example, a hole 232 is formed in the hinge plate 230 so as to be fixed to the box body 30 by a screw. The hinge shaft 210 is fixed to the hinge plate 230. Specifically, the hinge shaft 210 may be fixed to the hinge plate 230 in a screw coupling manner. In addition, the hinge shaft 210 and the hinge plate 230 may be formed as an integral structure. The first hinge 100 may include a support plate 120 and a bushing 110. The shaft sleeve 110 is provided with the hinge hole 111, and the shaft sleeve 110 is fixed on the support plate 120. The sleeve 110 may be screwed to the support plate 120, or the sleeve 110 and the support plate 120 may be an integral piece. The support plate 120 is fixed to the door body 20. For example, the support plate 120 is attached to the molding of the door body 20 using screws, or the support plate 120 is a part of the molding of the door body 20.

Fig. 5 is a schematic bottom view of the power supply hinge 10 shown in fig. 3 with the hinge plate 230 and the support plate 120 omitted; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 5; fig. 7 is an exploded view of the structure shown in fig. 5.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5 to 7, the first terminal 400 includes a plurality of first conductive rings 410 coaxial with the hinge hole 111 and disposed on a wall of the hinge hole 111. The first conductive rings 410 are used for connecting the electric wires 60, the number of which is the same as the number of cores of the electric wires 60, and each first conductive ring 410 is used for connecting one core of the electric wire 60. Correspondingly, the second terminal 300 includes a plurality of second conductive rings 310 coaxial with the hinge shaft 210 and disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 210. The second conductive rings 310 are used to connect the electric wires 50, the number of which is the same as the number of cores of the electric wires 50, and each second conductive ring 310 is used to connect one core of the electric wire 50. Each second conductive loop 310 is in direct or indirect electrical communication with one first conductive loop 410. The two terminals are designed to have a ring shape, and the structure is the simplest, and it is also convenient to mount the two terminals on the hinge shaft 210 and the hinge hole 111.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5-7, each first conductive ring 410 is flat and perpendicular to the axis (x-axis) of the hinge hole 111. That is, the first conductive ring 410 extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the x-axis. The first conductive loop 410 is inserted into the first annular slot 112 formed in the wall of the hinge hole 111. Similarly, each second conductive ring 310 has a flat plate shape, which is perpendicular to the axis (x-axis) of the hinge axis 210 and is inserted into a second annular slot 211 formed on the outer surface of the hinge axis 210. The first conductive ring 410 is inserted into the first annular slot 112, and the second conductive ring 310 is inserted into the second annular slot 211, so that the connection is more secure.

For ease of installation, the first conductive ring 410 may be provided with a slit (an integral ring is cut) to facilitate application of an external force to elastically deform the first conductive ring to fit into the first annular slot 112. Similarly, the second conductive ring 310 may be provided with a break. Of course, the first conductive ring 410 may also be made as a unitary ring. Before the first hinge portion 100 is formed, the prefabricated first conductive ring 410 is directly placed on the corresponding mold, and after the first hinge portion 100 is formed, the first conductive ring 410 is embedded in the first hinge portion 100 to form a whole. Similarly, the second conductive ring 310 may be connected to the hinge axis 210 in this manner.

In some alternative embodiments, not illustrated in the drawings, the first conductive ring 410 may also be shaped as a plate extending inside a cylindrical surface so as to be stuck on the wall of the hinge hole 111, which is also cylindrical. Similarly, the second conductive ring 310 has a plate shape extending in a cylindrical surface so as to be stuck on the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 210, which is also in a cylindrical surface.

As shown in fig. 5, the first hinge portion 100 is opened with a first threading hole 115 for leading out the electric wire 60 connected to the first conductive ring 410. As shown in fig. 7, the hinge shaft 210 is opened with a second threading hole 215 for leading out the electric wire 50 connected to the second conductive ring 310.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5 to 7, each second conductive ring 310 is located radially inside its corresponding first conductive ring 410, and a plurality of conductive rollers 500 are disposed therebetween, so as to conduct electricity through the plurality of conductive rollers 500. When the door body rotates, the conductive roller 500 rolls in a circumferential direction of the hinge shaft 210. Thus, the first conductive ring 410 and the second conductive ring 310 are prevented from directly contacting to generate a large sliding friction, which causes a large abrasion and noise.

In most of the conventional hinges, the hinge shaft 210 is in direct contact with the hinge hole 111 to constitute a sliding bearing structure. In the embodiment of the present invention, the hinge hole 111, the hinge shaft 210, and the plurality of conductive rollers 500 just form a rolling bearing structure. In comparison, the rolling bearing structure undoubtedly enables the rotation to be smoother, the abrasion and the noise are smaller, and the reliability is higher. In summary, the embodiment of the present invention provides the conductive roller 500, so that the power supply hinge 10 has a better conductive function, and can also better perform its hinge function as a hinge.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the conductive roller 500 may be made spherical. Compared with other shapes such as a column, the spherical conductive roller 500 can roll in various directions, has strong position self-adjusting capability, and can be ensured to be always in good contact with the first conductive ring 410 and the second conductive ring 310.

Further, the hole wall of the hinge hole 111 and the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 210 may be respectively provided with a plurality of

grooves

213 and 113 having an annular shape and an arc-shaped cross section, so as to clamp the conductive roller 500. The

grooves

213 and 113 can limit the conductive roller 500 in the axial direction, and when the door body 20 rotates, the conductive roller 500 rolls along the

grooves

213 and 113.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the power supply hinge 10 may be connected to the top of the door 20, and a support hinge 70 may be further provided at the bottom of the door 20. This allows the support hinge 70 to bear more of the weight of the door body, and allows the power supply hinge 10 to be less stressed, so that the power supply hinge 10 can operate better. Of course, the aforementioned support hinge 70 may not be provided. The power supply hinge 10 is provided at the bottom of the door body 20. Alternatively, one power supply hinge 10 is provided at each of the bottom and top of the door body 20.

Thus, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be understood and interpreted to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a door body and a power supply hinge for connecting the refrigerator body and the door body, wherein the power supply hinge comprises:

the first hinge part is arranged on one of the box body and the door body, and is provided with a hinge hole;

the second hinge part is arranged on the other one of the box body and the door body and comprises a hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft is rotatably inserted into the hinge hole so as to allow the door body to rotate relative to the box body;

and the second terminal is used for connecting an electric wire, is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft and is directly or indirectly communicated with the first terminal for conducting electricity.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein

The first terminal comprises a plurality of first conductive rings which are coaxial with the hinge hole and are arranged on the hole wall of the hinge hole; and is

The second terminal comprises a plurality of second conductive rings which are coaxial with the hinge shaft and arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft, and each second conductive ring is directly or indirectly communicated with one first conductive ring for conducting electricity.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein

Each second conductive ring is located on the radial inner side of the corresponding first conductive ring, and a plurality of conductive rollers are arranged between the second conductive rings and the first conductive rings so as to conduct electricity through the plurality of conductive rollers; and is

When the door body rotates, the conductive roller rolls along the circumferential direction of the hinge shaft.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein

The conductive roller is spherical.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein

The hole wall of the hinge hole and the peripheral surface of the hinge shaft are respectively provided with a plurality of grooves which are annular as a whole and have arc-shaped sections so as to clamp the conductive roller; and is

When the door body rotates, the conductive roller rolls along the groove.

6. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein

Each first conductive ring is in a flat plate shape, is perpendicular to the axis of the hinge hole, and is inserted into a first annular slot formed in the hole wall of the hinge hole; and is

Each second conductive ring is in a flat plate shape, is perpendicular to the axis of the hinge shaft, and is inserted into a second annular slot formed in the outer surface of the hinge shaft.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein

The first hinge part is provided with a first threading hole for leading out an electric wire connected with the first conducting ring; and is

And the hinge shaft is provided with a second threading hole for leading out a wire connected with the second conducting ring.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein

The first hinge part is mounted on the door body; and is

The second hinge is mounted to the case.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein

The second hinge portion comprises a hinge plate mounted to the box; and is

The hinge shaft is fixed to the hinge plate.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein

The power supply hinge is connected to the top of the door body.