EP2823124B1

EP2823124B1 - Device and method for controlled door closing

Info

Publication number: EP2823124B1
Application number: EP13723577.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ales Plesnik; Rok Pisek; Stanislav Avbersek
Original assignee: Turna d o o
Current assignee: Turna d o o
Priority date: 2012-03-06
Filing date: 2013-03-06
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-06
Also published as: WO2013133774A1; SI24023A; EP2823124A1; PL2823124T3; ES2629132T3; SI2823124T1

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Field of Technology

Closing of doors on stoves and other cooking appliances; closing of doors on kitchen appliances; hinges for door closing; suspension; damping.

Technical Problem

The devices for industrial or domestic use are becoming increasingly more advanced. In order to ensure competitiveness on the market, increasingly improved devices must be manufactured for reasonable costs, and appropriate components must be ensured for the assembly of such devices, the manufacturing or purchasing costs of which should allow their integration into the product.
With kitchen appliances, such as stoves, ovens, dishwashers and refrigerator and freezer units, hinges must be installed to:

ensure the required force through the entire area of door opening, since the doors on these appliances have a rather large mass due to their dimensions. With inappropriate hinges, in particular in the event of fast door opening with the fully opened (approximately 90°) or fully closed angle (0°), a thrust on the hinges and on the appliance may occur;
ensure an appropriate force of door closing, which means that the hinge in the closed door position contributes to the pressure of the door on the kitchen appliance seal, which ensures a better and more durable sealing of the door;
ensure a soft closing and opening of the door;
ensure a possibility of a stable position of opening at a medium angle of door opening ("grill position");
hinges must have small dimensions, long lifetime and be affordable, while their possible servicing must be as simple as possible.

State of the Art

Door closing hinges are generally well known, since they have been on the market for decades. More advanced types of hinges have also been used for decades, both for controlled closing of builders' joinery, closing of vehicle door, as well as closing of various devices.
The doors on some devices, such as a stove and a dishwasher, open downwards, whereby the hinges must be installed on the axle or near the axle that joins the device with its door. In addition to the appropriate load-bearing capacity, the hinge must also ensure an even adjusting of the angle between the device and the device door.
EP2243914 discloses a device according to the pre-amble of claim 1. EP1287222 displays a modern solution of controlled closing of stove door. An even door closing is provided by the curved section in the latch, designed to distribute the load more evenly through the entire area of opening of the stove door. For a proper operation, an additional guide track in the hinge is installed to ensure the proper position of the guide rod. In addition, the said patent does not solve the problem of damping for a soft door opening or closing. In EP2284344 and US2010148646 , the problem of a more even transfer of load from the translatory movement into a suitable movement for door opening is solved by a curved section on the so-called moving arm (an added external element with a formed curved section) which allows the movement of the roller.
The device according to the invention ensures a sufficient force throughout the entire working range of the hinge and an additional functionality of the simple model of the hinge, which is composed of a small number of components that can assembled in a simple manner; the hinge can be easily installed, while its construction is robust, which ensures a long service life.

Description of new invention

The object of the invention is the device and method for controlled door closing, whereby the technical solution is functional, technologically suitable for production, economical, strong and reliable throughout the expected service life.
The invention also ensures fast and simple mounting of the door closing hinge on the appliance as well as the appliance door. The object of the invention can be used for controlled closing of any type of doors, leaves or windows, while it is preferably designed for installation kitchen appliances, such as a stove, an oven, a'built-in cooking appliance, a dishwasher, cooling and other appliances.
The object of the invention solves the technical problem of controlled door closing, whereby:

an even transfer of the translatory load of the spring is achieved by a curved section that is provided in the hinge body or the component of the hinge body;
the curved section guides a piece, and its movement is connected to the movement of the latch and the guide rod;
the curved section is designed in such a manner to:
- ensure additional pressure on the appliance or its seal during the closing of the door;
- ensure a stable position of the door at a predefined angle of opening;
- ensure balancing of the door from the stable position (the grill position in the specified angle) to the open position (at approximately 90°).

The object of the invention comprises also the installation of one, two or more dampers for reducing the loads (forces and vibrations) directed at the axles of the spring guide. The damper is installed in such a manner to absorb mainly the loads that are generated by the closing or opening of the door and also absorbs the loads that are generated at the angle of the last few degrees of door closing or opening.
In addition to the provided curved section which ensures a controlled closing of the door, the damper additionally contributes to a soft (gentle) closing of the door. The function of soft closing of the door is effective at the any desired angle of the door, which depends on the setting.
In some places, the curved section is installed in the hinge body in such a manner to ensure stable positions. The initial opening position of the appliance door includes a small projection on the fitted curved section, which requires a pre-adjusted initial force at the initial opening position, while at the same time ensures a stronger pressure of the door on the seal to provide better sealing. Furthermore, a recess is provided on the provided curved section, ensuring a stable position in a certain predefined angle of closing of the appliance door.
A small spring is inserted in the spring guide to prevent a forceful dropping of the door due to increased torque at an angle before the fully open position (approximately 90°), which consequently prevents damages at a forceful opening and lowering of the door. On one (upper) side the small spring is fitted in the interior of the spring guide, while on the other (lower) side the small spring is fitted in the spring fit.
The damper is installed in the device according to the invention in such a manner that it does not increase the exterior dimensions of the device, but is installed in the interior of the spring guide that is flexibly connected to the hinge body. In the damping function, the movement of one (upper) side of the damper is limited by the lower side of the spring fit, while on the other (lower) side, the movement of the damper is limited by the mechanical part inserted in the latch, preferably by the projection on the connecting link.
The device according to the invention is compact, robust and has few components and comprises at least:

a hinge body with a fitted curved section for controlled transfer of load;
a spring fit, which can be an independent part or integrated into the hinge body;
a spring;
a spring guide;
at least one part that moves on the curved section fitted in the hinge body, whereby this can be an independent piece, preferably a roller, or provided as a part of another component, for example a spring guide;
a latch;
a fixed rotating axle of the latch, which connects the latch with the body; and
a removable blocking part for fixing the door on the appliance.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention can comprise:

one, two or more dampers;
a spring stop for limiting the upper position of the spring, which can be fitted in the form of a plate or in any other manner; and
a small spring inside the spring guide.

A curved section, preferably U-shaped, is fitted in the hinge body, and is designed to ensure a controlled transfer of loads during the conversion of the translatory load of the spring into a suitable load at the circular movement. A curved section can be fitted into the hinge body as a hole through the material of the hinge body, as a recess in the material of the hinge body, as an indentation in the material of the hinge body without removing any material or in any other manner. A spring fit is installed at the upper part of the body. The spring fit can be made of any material, while preferably it is made of plastic material. The spring fit is equipped with a suitably shaped one or more openings, which allows the movement of the spring guide. The diameter of the spring exceeds the diameter of the spring guide, so that the spring fits on the spring fit at a greater radius (in relation to the spring guide axle) than the provided openings which allow the movement of the spring guide. The diameter of the small spring is smaller than the diameter of the spring guide, so that the small spring fits on the spring fit at a smaller radius (in relation to the spring guide axle) than the provided openings which allow the movement of the spring guide. The spring fit is removable, but is fixed in the hinge body.
The upper part of the spring guide or the spring is limited by a spring stop, preferably a plate, which limits the movement of the spring, while the lower part of the spring guide or the extension of the spring guide is finished by a piece that moves on the curved section fitted in the hinge body. The piece that moves on the curved section fitted in the hinge body is preferably constructed in such a manner that a roller is installed on the axle which runs perpendicular to the guide axle, ensuring easier movement on the curved section fitted in the hinge body, or that two rollers are mounted on the said axle, whereby each roller moves on its own curved section fitted on both sides of the body. A roller or rollers are pivotally riveted to their axles.
The latch is mounted on the hinge body with a fixed pivot. The movement of the latch is guided by the axle of the piece, preferably the axle of the roller, which moves on the curved section fitted in the hinge body, whereby the load is transferred to the latch.
The movement of the latch can be connected to the movement of the axle of the piece in such a manner that:

a connecting link is installed in between, on one side connected to the roller axle and on the other side connected to the axle with a latch. The connecting link is provided to transfer the movement and load from the axle of the piece to the latch;
the axle of the piece travels on the relevant external surface of the latch which can be additionally shaped in the form of a curve, thus having an additional effect on the movement of the door or the transfer of load from the door to the appliance.

The kinematics of movement of all the components of the device according to this invention is determined by the position of:

the mounting axle of the latch to the hinge body, which enables the rotation of the latch about the axle; and
the axle of the piece, to which the piece that moves on the curved section fitted in the hinge body is mounted.

The mounting axle of the latch and the axle of the piece are always at the same distance from the flexible axle of the latch, regardless of the position of the latch. The mounting axle of the latch may be constructed in such a manner that a latch bush is installed though the latch rivet, riveted though the hinge body, which enables a circular movement about the mounting axle of the latch. An axle bush of the piece is installed on the axle of the piece, facilitating the circular movement between the axle of the roller and the connecting link through which the axle of the roller is fitted.
The other side of the latch is intended for mounting the door on the appliance and at the same time transferring the load from the door to the appliance, as well as providing the load-bearing function of the door. A door locking part is mounted on the latch to prevent the door from dropping down during closing.
One, two or more dampers can be installed in the device according to the invention. A damper is preferably installed below the spring fit in the spring guide above the axle of the piece which moves on the curved section.
The essence of the invention is further explained below with the description of the embodiment and attached figures, whereby the figures are part of this patent application and show the following:

Figure 1 shows a hinge body 1, curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, spring guide 3, spring 4, spring fit 5, spring stop 6, small spring 7, latch 8, piece 9, damper 10, axle of the piece 11, connecting link 12, latch rivet 13, latch bush 14, flexible axle of the latch 15, door locking part 16.
Figure 2 shows a hinge body 1, curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, spring guide 3, spring 4, spring fit 5, spring stop 6, small spring 7, latch 8, piece 9, damper 10, axle of the piece 11, connecting link 12, latch rivet 13, latch bush 14, flexible axle of the latch 15, door locking part 16, axle bush of the piece 17.
Figure 3 shows a hinge body 1, curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, spring guide 3, spring 4, latch 8, axle of the piece 11, connecting link 12.
Figure 4 shows a hinge body 1, curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, spring guide 3, spring 4, latch 8, axle of the piece 11, connecting link 12, flexible axle of the latch 15.
Figure 5 shows a hinge body 1, curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, spring guide 3, spring 4, latch 8, axle of the piece 11, connecting link 12, flexible axle of the latch 15.

Exemplary embodiment:

The object of the invention in the exemplary embodiment is used for controlled opening and closing of oven doors.
Figure 1 shows the assembled object of the invention in the stable position or in the example of use behind the oven door, or the so-called "grill position". Figure 2 shows the disassembled object of the invention.
On both sides of the hinge body 1, a curved section 2 is fitted in the hinge body.
On the upper part of the hinge body 1, a spring fit 5 made of plastic is mounted. A spring fit 5 is equipped with suitably shaped openings which allow the movement of the spring guide 3. The openings on the spring fit 5, which allow the movement of the spring guide 3, are positioned on a smaller radius than the spring 4 and greater radius than the small spring 7 in relation to the axle of the spring guide 3.
A spring guide 3 is limited on the upper part by a spring stop 6 which is provided in the exemplary embodiment as a stop plate that limits the movement of the spring. On the lower part of the spring guide 3, the spring guide is finished by an axle of the piece 11, in the exemplary embodiment an axle of the roller which moves on the curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body.
In the exemplary embodiment, an axle of the piece 11, running perpendicular to the axle of the spring guide, is mounted on the lower part of the spring guide 3. On both sides of the axle of the piece 11, a piece 9, or a roller in the exemplary embodiment, is mounted. Each of the rollers moves on its own curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body.
A small spring 7 is inserted in the spring guide 3 above the spring fit 5 to prevent a forceful dropping of the door due to increased torque at an angle before the fully open position, which consequently prevents damages at a forceful opening. A damper 10 is inserted in the spring guide 3 below the spring fit 5. On the upper side, a damper 10 fits on the spring fit 5 to perform the damping function, while on the lower side, the movement of a damper 10 is limited by a projection on the connecting link 12. The upper part of the connecting link is fitted on the axle bush of the piece 17 which is mounted on the axle of the piece 11, while the lower part is fitted on the flexible axle of the latch 15.
In the exemplary embodiment a linear damper 10 is used, which can be equipped with any type of damping, the exemplary embodiment includes hydraulic damping.
A latch 8 is mounted on the hinge body 1 on a fixed axle or a mounting axle of the latch, consisting of a latch rivet 13 and latch bush 14 which enables only a circular movement about the mounting axle of the latch.
The movement of the latch is guided by the axle of the piece 11, in the exemplary embodiment the axle of the roller that moves on the curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, whereby the load is transferred to the latch 8.
The kinematics of the movement of all the components of the device according to this invention is determined by:

the mounting axle of the latch to the body, which enables the rotation of the hinge about the axle; and
the axle of the piece 11, to which the piece 9, which moves on the curved section 2 fitted in the hinge body, is mounted.

The other side of the latch 8 is intended for mounting the door on the appliance and at the same time transferring the load from the door to the appliance, as well as providing the load-bearing function of the door. A door locking part 16 is mounted on the latch to prevent the door from dropping down during closing.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the object of the invention with three different angles of door opening or the position of the latch 8. Figure 3 shows the object of the invention with closed door. Figure 4 shows the object of the invention in an intermediate stable position, while Figure 5 shows the object of the invention with fully open position of the door.
It is self-evident that the above described invention can be also used in other particular form not changing the substance of the invention.

Claims

A device for controlled door closing comprising a hinge body (1) with a fitted curved section (2), a spring fit (5) which can be an independent part or integrated in the hinge body, a spring (4), a spring guide (3) flexibly connected to the hinge body (1), a spring stop (6) in the form of a plate for limiting the upper position of the spring, at least one piece (9) mounted on an axle (11) and moves in the curved section (2) fitted in the hinge body (1), a latch (8) mounted on a mounting axle and connected with the hinge body (1), a removable blocking part for fixing the door on the appliance and at least one damper (10), characterized in that
- the curved section (2) includes a small projection and a recess, which enable the controlled transfer of translatory load of the spring (4) by the piece (9) which moves in said curved section (2) over said projection and said recess during opening or closing;

- wherein the initial opening position of the appliance door includes the small projection on the curved section (2) which ensure a stronger pressure of the door on the seal to provide better sealing and wherein the recess ensures a stable position in a certain predefined angle of closing of the appliance door;

- the latch (8) is connected to the hinge body (1) by a connecting link (12) which is on one side connected to the axle (11) of the piece (9) and on the other side to the mounting axle of the latch (8) and whereby the piece (9) when moving in said curved section (2) at the same time enables the movement of the latch (8) whereby the axle (11) of the piece (9) travels on the external surface of the latch (8);

- a small spring (7) is inserted in the spring guide (3) above the spring fit (5) to prevent a forceful dropping of the door due to the increased torque at an angle before the fully open position;

- a door locking part (16) mounted on the latch (8) to prevent the door dropping down during closing;

- and the damper (10) is mounted in the interior of the spring guide (3) below the spring fit (5) and above the axle (11) of the piece (9) which moves in the curved section (2) so that the exterior dimensions of the hinge (1) are not increased.
The device according to claim 1 characterized in that the movement of the damper (10) at its lower side is limited by a projection on the connecting link (12) and the movement of the damper (10) at its upper side is limited by the spring fit (5).
The device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the projection on the curved section (2) at the initial opening position of the door requires a pre-adjusted initial force while at the same time ensures a stronger pressure of the door on the seal to provide better sealing, and the recess on the curved section (2) ensures a stable position of the door in a certain predefined angle of closing of the appliance door.
The device according to any claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the mounting axle of the latch (8) is constructed in such a manner that a latch bush (14) is installed through the latch rivet (13), riveted through the hinge body (1), which enables only a circular movement about the mounting axle of the latch (8).
The device according to any claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the curved section (2) fitted in the hinge body is provided as a hole through the material of the hinge body (1) or as a recess in the material of the hinge body (1) or as an indentation in the material of the hinge body (1) without removing the material.
The device according to any claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the spring fit (5) is made of plastic material and the spring fit (5) is removable, but fixed in the hinge body (1) and has at least one shaped opening which allows the movement of the spring guide (3).
The device according to any claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the movement of all the components is determined by the position of the mounting axle of the latch (8) to the hinge body (1) which enables the rotation of the latch (8) about the mounting axle and by the position of the axle (11) of the piece (9) to which the piece (9), which moves in the curved section (2) fitted in the hinge body (1), is mounted.
The device according to any claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the piece (9), which moves on the curved section (2) fitted in the hinge body (1), is constructed as a roller installed on the axle (11) or two rollers installed on the axle (11) whereby each roller moves in its own curved section (2) fitted on both sides of the hinge body (1) and the movement of the latch (8) is guided by the axle (11) of the roller/s, which move on the curved section (2) fitted in the hinge body (1).