EP2129852B1 - Multi-link hinge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-joint hinge, in particular for refrigerator doors, according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the DE 10 2005 004 957 is a multi-joint hinge is known in which a first fastening part is fixed to a furniture body and a second fastening part to a door. The two fasteners are connected to each other via a plurality of levers, which can be opened on the scissor-type articulation of the lever relatively thick doors, such as refrigerators. To bias the multi-joint hinge into a closed position, a spring is provided. In this multi-joint hinge is disadvantageous that a arranged on the fixing part door can strike uncontrollably, which is still supported by the spring.

The DE 20 2005 016 375 U1 discloses a fitting for pivotally attaching a front door to a furniture cabinet in which a damping device is effective in a closing movement.

In the WO 2006/053364 discloses a wide-angle hinge with a damper, wherein the damper is disposed on an intermediate piece.

Furthermore, in the WO 2006/114255 a hinge device for a refrigerator, in which a piston-cylinder damping unit is used.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-joint hinge, which avoids slamming a mounted on the multi-joint hinge door with a simple structure.

This object is achieved with a multi-joint hinge with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a linear damper is provided which dampens a closing movement of the door bearing, so that a door attached to the multi-joint hinge can not strike uncontrollably. Because the closing movement is damped by the damper so far that the closing speed is reduced.

According to the invention, the damper is effective only over part of the pivoting range of the door bearing. Because especially shortly before the closed position damping is required during an opening movement, however, a certain stiffness can be disturbed by the damping. Therefore, attenuation, which is effective only in a sub-area comes closest to the wishes of the user. The door bearing can be pivoted relative to the fastening element by more than 100 °, wherein the damper is effective in a closing range in a closing operation between 20 ° to 40 °, preferably about 25 ° to 35 °.

So that the closing movement is perceived by the consumer as smooth, the spring can bias the door bearing in the closed position and support the closing movement in a pivoting range which is greater than the pivoting range in which the damper is effective. Preferably, the force of the spring for closing the door bearing is about 5 ° to 20 °, preferably 10 ° to 15 ° in front of the damper.

For a compact design, the damper is disposed within the multi-joint hinge, both in the closed position and in an open position. Similarly, the spring is preferably disposed within the multi-joint hinge, which in addition to a compact design and the protection against external influence is given. The arrangement within the multi-joint hinge means in particular an arrangement between the fastening element and the door bearing.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, four levers are provided for articulating the door bearing on the fastening element, which have seven axes of rotation. In this case, a first and a second lever may be rotatably mounted on the fastening element, while a third and a fourth lever are rotatably mounted on the door bearing. The levers are then coupled to each other via three axes of rotation.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spring is held on one side on a spring bearing and on the opposite side a spring carriage is provided, which is mounted on a roller. Due to the geometric configuration of the spring carriage and the roller, the spring force generated by the spring be adjusted depending on the position of the fastener relative to the door bearing. In particular, the range can be specified in which the spring is effective, with simple mechanical means are used.

By various geometric embodiments or variants of the curve of the control disk, for example, the expended by the user forces to open and close the door can be influenced. Likewise, with the change of the curve geometry, the self-tightening angle of the door can be changed, since with the change of the curve geometry also a change in the course of the force is achieved.

By increasing the curve in the open position and a cushioning of the door can be achieved during the opening movement.

By a depression in the curve geometry, a detent position of the door can be achieved, preferably in the open position. The user has to use a force to move the door out of this position. The course of the curve affects the control cam and possibly also the spring carriage.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spring is movable at one end via a cam guide. The cam guide may have a coupled with the door bearing cam on which rests a biased by the spring roller. The geometry of the control cam then specifies the spring force and the beginning of the spring action during a closing movement of the door bearing.

According to the invention, the damper is rotatably mounted on one side and held on the opposite side to a pivotable driver, which is movable when closing up to a stop. The driver can thus in one Opening area allow a freewheel of the damper, wherein after concern of the driver to the stop the damper unfolds its effect.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the damper is fixed on one side to a rotatable drive plate whose rotation range is limited by a stop. As a result, the damping range can be predetermined with mechanically simple means.

Figur 1A bis 4A

mehrere Ansichten eines ersten Ausführungsbeispieles eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Mehrgelenkscharniers in unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 5A bis 8B

mehrere Ansichten eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrgelenkscharniers in unterschiedlichen Positionen;

Figur 9A bis 11B

mehrere Ansichten eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Mehrgelenkscharniers in unterschiedlichen Positionen, und

Figur 12A bis 15B

mehrere Ansichten eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Mehrgelenkscharniers in unterschiedlichen Positionen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to four exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

FIGS. 1A to 4A

several views of a first embodiment of a non-inventive multi-joint hinge in different positions;

FIGS. 5A to 8B

several views of a second embodiment of a multi-link hinge according to the invention in different positions;

FIGS. 9A to 11B

several views of a third embodiment of a non-inventive multi-joint hinge in different positions, and

FIGS. 12A to 15B

several views of a fourth embodiment of a multi-joint hinge according to the invention in different positions.

A multi-joint hinge 1 comprises a fixing element 2 fixable on a body, on which a first lever 3 and a second lever 4 are rotatably arranged are, which in turn are connected to a third lever 5. The second lever 4 is further connected to a fourth lever 10, wherein on the levers 5 and 10, a door bearing 11 is pivotally mounted. The lever 3 is mounted on the fastening element 2 about an axis 6 and on the lever 5 about a rotation axis 7. The fastening lever 2 is rotatably connected via an axis 8 with the second lever 4, wherein the lever 4 is connected via an axis 9 with the third lever 5. In addition, an axle 13 is provided on the second lever 4, to which the fourth lever 10 is articulated. In this way, four levers 3, 4, 5 and 10 are provided which pivotally connect the door bearing 11 to the fastening element 2 via seven axes 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14. Through this lever mechanism, despite a certain distance between the door bearing 11 and the fastening element 2, a pivoting movement can be realized, which is advantageous especially for refrigerator doors or other heavier door elements.

In the FIGS. 1A to 1B the multi-joint hinge 1 is shown in an opening angle of 115 °. A spring 15 is in the tensioned state and is stretched between the axis 12 and a spring carriage 16, wherein the spring carriage 16 is disposed adjacent to a roller 17. Die Federschlitten 16 ist in der Federkraft 16 drehbar gelagert. The roller 17 for actuating the spring carriage 16 is mounted in the lever 10.

Further, a damper 18 is provided, which is mounted with a housing on the lever 4 about an axis 19. The damper 18 includes a retractable and extendable piston rod 20 which is guided at one end 21 in a slot 22 on the lever 10. In the wide open position, the end 21 can slide freely in the slot 22 and the damper 18 unfolds no effect.

If the multi-joint hinge in the in FIGS. 2A and 2B shown moved position with an opening angle of about 69 °, then the spring 15 is in the tensioned state. In this position, the roller 17 is retracted in a receptacle on the spring carriage 16 and in a further closing movement, the spring 15 is gradually relaxed, whereby the closing movement of the door bearing 11 is supported.

The damper 18 is held with the end 21 is still free to move in the slot 22 and thus has no damping effect.

In a further closing of the door bearing 11 is in the FIGS. 3A and 3B achieved position shown with an opening angle of about 26 °. The spring 15 is further relaxed via the spring carriage 16 and the roller 17 during the closing movement, whereby a torque between the door bearing 11 and fastener 2 is formed, which causes an automatic closing. The damper 18 has arrived via the end 21 at the end of the elongated hole 22, so that from this angular position the effect of the damper 18 begins. The damper 18 is designed as a linear damper, which generates a much higher damping force when retracting when retracting, wherein the damping effect can vary by a factor of 5 to 15 between retraction and extension.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B the closed position of the multi-joint hinge 1 is shown. The spring 15 is only in a slightly biased state, whereby still a small torque is generated to tension the door bearing 11 in the closed position. The damper 18 has been moved by the closing movement of the door bearing 11 in a retracted position in which the piston rod 20 is accommodated in the housing of the damper 18. In the closed position, the multi-joint hinge is formed substantially box-shaped, wherein the fastening element 2 and the door bearing 11 are provided on opposite sides of the box.

In FIGS. 5A to 8B A second embodiment according to the invention of a multi-link hinge 101 is shown, in which a fastening element 102 is connected to a door bearing 111 via a first lever 103 and a second lever 104, as well as via a third lever 105 and a fourth lever 110. The lever mechanism includes rotation axes 106, 107, 108, 109, 112, 113 and 114 and is formed similarly to the first embodiment.

A spring 115 is supported on one side on a holder 123 on the axis of rotation 113 between the lever 104 and the lever 110, while it is held on the opposite side to a bearing 116 which held on a rocker 117 is. On the rotatable rocker 117, a roller 126 is also mounted, which bears against a cam guide with a control disk 124.

Further, a damper 118 is provided, the housing is held on a bearing 119 on the door bearing 111, while the protruding from the housing piston rod 120 is rotatably supported at one end 121 to a driver 122.

In the FIGS. 5A and 5B the multi-joint hinge 101 is shown in an opening angle of about 115 °, wherein the spring 115 is in the tensioned state. The spring 115 ° still exerts no closing force on the door bearing 111 and also the damper 118 is not active at a closing movement from this position.

When the door bearing 111 is further pivoted in a closing movement, which is in the Figures 6A and 6B Go through shown position in which an opening angle of about 30 ° is present. In this opening position, the spring 115 begins by unwinding the roller 126 on the control cam 124 and rotating the rocker 117 to relax about the axis 130, wherein the control cam 124 is mounted on the door bearing 111, for example via a pin 127. It is also possible to form the control cam 124 integrally with the door bearing 111. By relaxing the spring 115 during the closing movement, a torque for closing the door bearing 111 is generated, resulting in an automatic closing. The damper 118 is still in a fully extended position and does not cause a damping action.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B a position is shown in which the door bearing 111 assumes approximately an opening angle of 24 °. In this position, the roller 126 rolls on the control cam 124 and the spring 115 is further relaxed, which supports the closing movement of the door bearing 111. Further, the cam 122 rides on the lever 110 and can not be pivoted further about the axis 114. As a result, the piston rod 120 begins to retract into the housing of the damper 118 and thus a damping is achieved.

In the Figures 8A and 8B the closed position of the multi-link hinge 101 is shown. The sides for attaching the door bearing 111 and the fastener 102 are aligned in parallel and the damper 118 is in the retracted position. The spring 115 is still slightly tensioned and rolls over the roller 126 on the control cam 124, so that a closing force for the door bearing 111 is generated.

In the FIGS. 9A to 11B a third non-inventive embodiment of a multi-joint hinge 201 is shown, which is similar in construction to the second embodiment, wherein similar components are provided with those by "100" higher reference numerals. The multi-joint hinge 201 comprises a spring 215, which is mounted on one side on the axis 213 between the lever 204 and the lever 210. On the opposite side, the spring 215 is held on a bearing 216 which is mounted with a roller 226 on a rocker 217, which bears against a control cam 224. The control cam 224 is held on the door bearing 211.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B an opening position of about 115 ° is shown. The spring 215 is in the tensioned state, wherein the roller 226 runs on the control cam 224 that the spring tension initially does not change.

Further, a damper 218 is provided, whose housing is mounted on an axis 219 which is formed on the lever 204. A piston rod 220 is rotatably mounted at one end 221 on the lever 205.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B the multi-joint hinge 201 is shown in an opening position of about 32 °. In this position, the spring 215 begins to relax when closing the door bearing 211, since the roller 226 runs on the control cam 224. The damper 218 begins at a slightly smaller opening angle, for example, 25 ° to 30 ° to dampen the closing movement. Although the piston rod 220 has already retracted somewhat into the housing of the damper 218, the damper 218 is designed such that a significant damping effect takes place only in this position. Because the retraction of the piston rod 220 up to this point can be carried out similarly smooth as the extraction of the piston rod 220, so that hardly a damping effect is felt by the user.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B For example, the multi-link hinge 201 is shown in the closed position, with the assembly again substantially box-shaped, with all the levers, bearings, damper 218 and spring 215 received between the fastener 202 and the door bearing 211.

In the FIGS. 12A to 15B a fourth embodiment of a multi-link hinge 301 according to the invention is shown, wherein the basic structure of the fastener 302 and the door bearing 311 with the levers 303, 304 and 305 and 310 with the associated axes of rotation 306, 307, 308, 309, 312, 313 and 314 similar is formed in the previous embodiments.

The multi-joint hinge 301 comprises a spring 315, which is mounted at one end on the axis 313 between the lever 304 and the lever 310, and which is held on the opposite side to a bearing 316 which is fixed to a rocker 317. A likewise mounted on the rocker 317 roller 326 runs on a control cam 324, which is held firmly on the door bearing 311. Further, a damper 318 is provided, which is mounted on the side of the housing on an axis 319 which is arranged on a rotatable drive plate 327. The damper 318 includes a retractable and extendable piston rod 320, which is mounted at the end 321 on the lever 305.

In Figures 12A and 12B is the multi-jointed hinge 301 in a wide open position with an opening angle of about 115 °. The spring 115 is in the tensioned state. If the door bearing 311 is closed from this position, the roller 326 runs on the control cam 324, wherein initially no change in position takes place on the rocker 317, on which the bearing 316 for receiving one end of the spring 315 is arranged. Therefore, the spring 315 initially generates no closing force.

In FIGS. 13A and 13B the multi-joint hinge 301 is shown in an opening angle of 45 °. The spring 315 is still in the tensioned state with the mounted on the rocker 317 roller 326 runs on the control cam 324 and not yet pivoted about the axis 330. As a result, the spring 315 still has no effect for automatic closing.

The damper 318 has by closing the drive plate 327 as far rotated about the axis 308 between fastener 302 and lever 304 that a stop 328 abuts the fastener 302 and prevents further rotation of the drive plate 327 about the axis 308. As a result, the piston rod 320 begins to retract into the housing of the damper 318, wherein initially no damping effect occurs and the piston rod 320 can be easily inserted.

In FIGS. 14A and 14B the multi-joint hinge 301 is shown with an opening angle of about 32 °. The spring 315 begins by rolling the roller 326 on the control cam 324 to pivot the rocker 317, so that a relaxation of the spring 315 occurs. As a result, the spring 315 presses the door bearing 311 in a closed position and ensures automatic closing. From this angular position is now also the effect of the damper 318, since the piston rod 320 is a necessary degree retracted into the housing of the damper 318 and now the damping takes place.

In FIGS. 15A and 15B For example, the multi-link hinge 301 is shown in the closed position. The spring 315 is in the prestressed state and thus allows a certain torque between the door bearing 311 and the fastening element 302, so that the door bearing 311 is held in the closed position. The damper 318 is retracted in this position.

In the preceding embodiments, the damper 18, 118, 218, 318 is shown only schematically as a linear damper with a retractable piston rod. Different dampers can be used, which, for example, can be moved smoothly during extension along the piston rod, but can be moved stiffly during retraction, wherein the damping force can deviate, for example, by a factor of 5 to 20. Alternatively, it is of course possible to arrange the damper so that it is stiff when moving out and smooth when retracting the piston rod. Further, the damper can be formed be that only from a certain position of the piston rod relative to the housing a damping effect takes place.

Claims (9)

1. A multi-link hinge (101, 301), in
   particular for refrigerator doors, with a fastening element (102, 302) which can be secured to a furniture body and is connected to a pivotable door bearing (111, 311) via a plurality of levers (103, 104, 105, 110; 303, 304, 305, 310) pivotally connected to one another, the door bearing (111, 311) being pre-tensioned into a closed position via a spring (115, 315), whereby
   a linear damper (118, 318) is provided that dampens a closing movement of the door bearing (111, 311), said linear damper (118, 318) being arranged within the multi-link hinge (101, 301), wherein the damper (118, 318) is effective only over a portion of the pivot range of the door bearing (111, 311), characterized in that the damper (118, 318) is fixed rotatably at one side and is held on the opposite side at a pivotable driver (122, 327), said driver (122, 327) being moveable to a stop (328) during a closing operation, so that the driver (122, 327) enables a freewheeling movement of the damper (118, 318) in an opening range
   wherein the damper (318) is fixed at one side to a rotatable driver disk (237), the rotation range of which is limited by a stop (328), whereby the damper (118, 318) is effective after the driver (122, 327) abuts the stop.
2. The multi-link hinge as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the door bearing (111, 311) is pivotable relative to the fastening element (2102, 302) through more than 100° and the damper (118, 318) is effective in a closing range between 20° and 40°, especially 25° to 35°.
3. The multi-link hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring (115, 315) pre-tensions the door bearing (111, 311) into the closing position and supports the closing movement of said door bearing in a pivot range which is larger than the pivot range in which the damper (118) is effective.
4. The multi-link hinge as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring (115, 315) is arranged within the multi-link hinge (101, 301).
5. The multi-link hinge as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that four levers (103, 104, 105; 110; 303, 304, 305, 310), which have seven rotational shafts (6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14), are provided for articulating the door bearing (111, 311) to the fastening element (102, 302).
6. The multi-link hinge as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a first and a second lever (103,104, 303,304) are rotatably mounted on the fastening element (102, 302) and a third and a fourth lever (105, 305, 310) are rotatably mounted on the door bearing (111, 311).
7. The multi-link hinge as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring (115) is moveable at one end by means of a curved guide (124, 126).
8. The multi-link hinge as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the curved guide comprises a control curve (124) being coupled with the door bearing (111), whereby a cylinder (126) being pretensioned by means of the spring (115) abuts said control curve (124).
9. The multi-link hinge as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the damper (318) is fixed at one side to a rotatable driver disk (237), the rotation range of which is limited by a stop (328).

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