EP3292360A1

EP3292360A1 - Refrigerator door hinge mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3292360A1
Application number: EP15722508.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ahmet SERT; Ercan Akyuz; Resul Yavuz; Ahmet Ziya Demir; Onur OZCAN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-05-06
Filing date: 2015-05-06
Publication date: 2018-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-06
Also published as: EP3292360B1; WO2016177427A1

Abstract

A refrigerator is proposed, comprising a hinge mechanism (8) hingeably supporting and carrying a refrigerator door openable to allow access into the refrigerator, the hinge mechanism (8) having a hinge housing (2) placeable behind a refrigerator wall (1) portion and receiving a hinging means (21) inside the hinge housing (2) in a fixed manner such that the hinging means (21) mechanically communicates with the refrigerator door when effectuating opening and closing of the door.

Description

REFRIGERATOR DOOR HINGE MECHANISM

The present invention relates to an improved hinge mechanism for installation of a hinge to carry and operate a refrigerator door on the refrigerator body.
Cooling and freezing compartments of refrigerators are isolated from the outer environment by means of the refrigerator door. The refrigerator door allows access into the inner storage area by a hinge mechanism operable to open the door. The refrigerator door is typically installed to be hinged around a body portion of the refrigerator. The mechanical reliability of the hinge mechanism plays an important role and is directly associated with the ability of the mechanism to support and carry the weight of the refrigerator door.
The hinge mechanism is conventionally mounted on the refrigerator body wall through several connection elements having longitudinal shafts. A problem associated with this type of connection is the space occurring in between the hinge itself and the associated shaft portions eventually resulting with the disorientation of the door, which in turn causes insulation problems due to rubber section contact surfaces of the refrigerator door being poorly aligned with the refrigerator cabin.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as EP1548366 disclosing a door hinge for the door of a domestic appliance having two sections which are pivotable in relation to one another within a pivot angle range between a minimum and a maximum angle. The hinge has an additional functional unit which is connected to both hinge sections and which can occupy at least two functioning positions. At least one predetermined functioning position of the functional component is associated with a predetermined pivoting angle between the hinge sections.
The present invention provides a hinge mechanism operably connecting a refrigerator door in a mechanically improved manner, as defined by the characterizing features as defined in Claim 1.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator door hinge mechanism allowing mounting of the refrigerator door through a releasable hinge conveniently allowing lateral control of the hinge mechanism in the case of a lower compartment door hinge, which would otherwise not practically achievable due to space restrictions between the upper and lower compartment doors.
The invention discloses a refrigerator comprising a hinge mechanism supporting and carrying the refrigerator door. A hinge housing is inserted into an appropriate wall portion of the refrigerator so as to receive a substantially planar hinging means, which directly carries and hinges the refrigerator door.
The hinging means is locked inside the hinging housing by a pair of opposite contact portions associated with helical springs that are biased to move in connection with engagement blocks in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the hinging means.
The springs are compressible to retract the contact portions when one needs to remove the hinging means. The contact portions are easily retractable by means of a release element in communication with a pair of release blocks being also fixedly attached to the engagement blocks.
The locking of the hinging means inside the hinging housing is effected by a plurality of individual mechanical parts successively interacting with each other in an irreversible manner.
The fact that the hinging means’ hinging support body insertable into the hinge housing being a substantially flat body allows positioning of the same in the hinging housing ensuring an adequately supported structure held in place by the inner components of the hinge housing, i.e. the contact portions secured to the engagement housings and the hinge housing itself, hence capable of hingeably carrying the refrigerator door.
Therefore, when needed, the hinging means can be easily removed by way of moving the release element by an external hand tool.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a hinge mechanism for a refrigerator door whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Fig. 1 demonstrates a general perspective view of hinge mechanism components according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates a general perspective view of a pair of spring in communication with release blocks to be installed in a hinge casing according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 demonstrates a general perspective view of a release element with a pair of engagement block to be installed in the hinge casing according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 demonstrates a general perspective view of a housing cover to be attached on the hinge casing forming a hinge housing according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 demonstrates a general perspective view of the hinge housing with a hinge opening of a refrigerator wall according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 demonstrates a general perspective view of the hinge housing installed on the refrigerator wall by alignment of the hinge opening with a hinge housing inlet of the hinge housing according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 demonstrates a general perspective view of a hinging means inserted into the hinge housing attached on the refrigerator wall according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 demonstrates a general view of an attachment surface of the hinging means installed on the refrigerator wall according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 demonstrates an upper view of the hinge casing with the hinging means being inserted according to the present invention.
Fig. 10 demonstrates an upper view of the hinge casing while the springs are compressed according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 demonstrates an upper view of the hinge casing with a release element movable relative to a pair of fixation supports according to the present invention.
Fig. 12 demonstrates an upper view of the hinge casing while the release element is advanced to push the springs by contacting with the pair of release blocks according to the present invention.
Fig. 13 demonstrates an upper view of the hinge casing with the installed components according to the present invention.
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

Refrigerator wall
Hinge housing
First level
Second level
Guide portion
Fixation support
Hinge opening
Hinge mechanism
Hinge casing
Housing cover
Spring
Engagement block
Engagement housing
Pin
Contact portion
Receiving section
Release element
Release block
Shaft opening
Wing portion
Hinging means
Hinging support body
Attachment surface
Hinge axis
Closure recess
Contact section
Connection portion
Shaft slot
Lateral projection
Hinge housing inlet
Unhinging opening

The present invention provides a refrigerator having a hinge mechanism (8) for mounting of a refrigerator door to the refrigerator body by means of a hinge housing (2). The hinge mechanism (8) receives a hinging means (21) inside the hinge housing (2) in a fixed manner such that the hinging means (21) mechanically communicates with the refrigerator door when effectuating opening and closing of the door.
The hinge mechanism (8) of the invention has a hinge casing (9) in the form of a generally square-shaped box defining an inner space and comprising a first level (3) and a second level (4) as relatively separated elevations within the inner area of the hinge casing (9). While the components situated at the first level (3) provides removal of the hinging means (21) from the hinge housing (2), the hinge housing (2) components at the second level ensures attachment of the hinging means (21) so as to effectuate opening and closing of the door.
The hinge casing (9) comprises a pair of engagement housings (13) situated oppositely at the middle parts of the hinge casing (9) edges, each neighboring two shaft slots (28) at the corners of the hinge casing (9). The engagement housings (13) are rectangular cross-section enclosures enclosing helical springs (11) in mechanical communication with a release block (18). The release blocks (18) are also structured as rectangular cross-section blocks with inner side surfaces inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21). A pin (14) connects each release block (18) with an engagement block (12) having a contact portion (15) as delineated below.
The engagement blocks (12) being connected to the respective release blocks (18) by means of a pin connection, the engagement blocks (12) are structured as rectangular cross-section parts movable within the engagement housings (13). The contact portions (15) extending with the inclined inner edge surface with respect to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21) allows passage of the hinging means (21) into the hinge casing (9). The release blocks (18) also having inclined inner edges extend further towards the center of the hinge casing (9) compared to the contact portion (15).
Guide portions (5) positioned at the first level (3) of the hinge casing (9) provide a slideway for a release element (17) being movable therealong. The release element (17) is structured as an arrow-shaped element having side extensions referred to as wing portions (20). The release element (17) is movable in the mounting direction of the hinging means (21) in a way that its symmetrical wing portions (20) push the inner edge surfaces of the release blocks (18) outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. A pair of fixation supports (6) in the form of rectangular extensions restricts the movement of the release element (17) in a guidably retained manner only to the unilinear mounting direction of the hinging means (21).
The hinging means (21) is inserted into the hinge casing (9) by way of sliding along the second level (4) of the hinge casing (9). The hinging means (21) comprises a hinging support body (22) and an attachment surface (23) with a hinge axis (24) to provide retainment, opening and closing of the refrigerator door. The hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) is a flat generally rectangular surface comprising a closure recess (25) at the side edges thereof and a pair of inclined contact sections (26) at the front side corners of the same.
During the insertion of the hinging means (21), the springs (11) inside the engagement housings (13) are compressed by the respective engagement blocks (12) moved towards the end of the engagement housings (13) due to the mechanical communication between the receiving sections (16) of the contact portions (15) and contact sections (26) of the hinging means (21). The hinging means (21) is advanced until closure recesses (25) thereof engage with the contact portions (15), thereby leaning at the innermost part of the hinge casing (9) at the second level (4) thereof.
A pair of lateral projections (29) projecting outwardly from the lateral edges of the hinging means (21) communicates with the receiving sections (16) during the advancement of the hinging means (21) into the hinge housing (2). The lateral projections (29) communicate with the receiving sections (16) to provide easy and progressive displacement of the contact portions (15) so as to allow placement of the contact portions (15) within the closure recesses (25), thereby preventing reverse movement of the hinging means (21) as long as the contact portions (15) are not moved rearward in the direction of the engagement housings (13). The lateral projections (29) project outwardly with a triangular side edge form.
The hinge housing (2) is assembled by closing of the hinge casing (9) with a housing cover (10) through shaft openings (19) of the housing cover (10) and shaft slots (28) of the hinge casing (9). The hinge housing (2) comprises a hinge housing inlet (30) allowing insertion of the hinging means (21) therein. The hinge housing inlet (30) aligns with a hinge opening (7) at the refrigerator wall (1) by fixedly attaching the hinge housing (2) to the refrigerator wall (1) by a connection portion (27) of the same. The refrigerator door is mounted to the hinging means (21) to be rotatably operable on a hinge axis (24) on the attachment surface (23) of the hinging means (21).
An unhinging opening (31) positioned at the front side of the hinge casing (9) proximate the hinge housing inlet (30) under the same is advantageously reachable from underneath the installed hinging means (21) by means of a hand tool. An appropriate hand tool inserted from the unhinging opening (31) touches the release element (17) and pushes it inwardly to cause reverse movement of the release blocks (18) by contact of the wing portions (20) therewith, which in turn drive the engagement blocks (12) inside the engagement housings (13) and compress the springs (11) therein. The engagement blocks (12) being retracted ensures releasability of the contact portions (15) from the closure recesses (25) of the hinging means (21). Therefore, the hinging means (21) can be easily removed from the hinge housing (2).
In summary, the invention proposes a refrigerator comprising a hinge mechanism (8) hingeably supporting and carrying a refrigerator door openable to allow access into the refrigerator, the hinge mechanism (8) having a hinge housing (2) placeable behind a refrigerator wall (1) portion and receiving a hinging means (21) inside the hinge housing (2) in a fixed manner such that the hinging means (21) mechanically communicates with the refrigerator door when effectuating opening and closing of the door.
In one embodiment of the invention, the hinge housing (2) defines an inner space with a pair of oppositely disposed engagement housings (13) receiving springs (11), each spring (11) being in connection with a respective engagement block (12) movable within a respective engagement housings (13) such that advancement of the hinging means (21) into the hinge housing (2) in a mounting direction provides movement of the engagement blocks (12) in the direction of the end of the engagement housings (13) in a simultaneous and symmetrical manner.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinge housing (2) defines an inner space with a first level (3) and a second level (4) as relatively spaced base levels within the inner area of the hinge casing (9) in the manner that while a release element (17) movable at the first level (3) provides removal of the hinging means (21) from the hinge housing (2), the hinging means (21) movable at the second level (4) is fixedly attachable to the hinge housing (2) to effectuate opening and closing of the door.
In a further embodiment of the invention, each engagement block (12) is fixedly connected to a release block (18) at the first level (3) and a contact portion (15) at the second level (4).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinging means (21) comprises a hinging support body (22) in the form of a substantially flat body insertable into the hinge housing (2) extending along the second level (4) in communication with the contact portions (15).
In a further embodiment of the invention, wing portions (20) of the release element (17) movable at the first level (3) communicates with the release blocks (18).
In a further embodiment of the invention, each engagement block (12) is movable in response to the movement of the release block (18) or the contact portion (15) within a respective engagement housing (13).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the release element (17) and the hinging support body (22) respectively allow advancement of the release blocks (18) and the contact portions (15) into engagement housings (13).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the release blocks (18) and the contact portions (15) are structured to have inner side surfaces inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) introduced into the hinge housing (2) is removable by way of moving the release element (17) in the mounting direction so as to simultaneously and symmetrically move the release blocks (18) away in the respective engagement housings (13).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) comprises lateral closure recesses (25) engageable with the contact portions (15) so as to prevent reverse movement of the hinging support body (22) when the contact portions (15) are received into the closure recesses (25).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) comprises lateral projections (29) projecting outwardly from the lateral edges thereof communicating with receiving sections (16) of the respective contact portions (15).
In a further embodiment of the invention, contact sections (26) of the hinging support body (22) at the front side corners of the same, when the latter is fully advanced into the hinge housing (2), lean on edge surfaces at the second level (4) of the hinge housing (2).
In a further embodiment of the invention, an unhinging opening (31) positioned at the front side of the hinge housing (2) and opening to the refrigerator wall (1) portion proximate a hinge housing inlet (30) receiving the hinging means (21) is reachable on the refrigerator wall (1), from underneath the installed hinging means (21).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the release element (17) is movable through the unhinging opening (31) so as to be pushed inward to cause reverse movement of the release blocks (18) by contact of the wing portions (20) therewith.
In a further embodiment of the invention, guide portions (5) positioned at the first level (3) of the hinge housing (2) provide a slideway for the release element (17) being movable therealong while a pair of fixation supports (6) restricts the movement of the release element (17) in a guidably retained manner to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21).
The present invention provides a refrigerator with a hinge mechanism (8) for installation of a refrigerator door on the refrigerator body. The hinge mechanism (8) of the invention comprises a hinge housing (2) with a housing cover (10) and a hinge casing (9). The hinge casing (9) retains a hinging means (21) to which a refrigerator door is mounted in an operably fixed manner. The invention further allows removal of the hinging means (21) through the unhinging opening (31), which is particularly advantageous for lower refrigeration compartment doors hingedly operable below an upper compartment door. The unhinging opening (31) allowing release of the hinging means (21) conveniently ensures lateral control of lower compartment door hinge mechanims, which would otherwise not practically achievable due to space restrictions between the upper and lower compartment doors.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising a hinge mechanism (8) hingeably supporting and carrying a refrigerator door openable to allow access into the refrigerator, the hinge mechanism (8) having a hinge housing (2) placeable behind a refrigerator wall (1) portion and receiving a hinging means (21) inside the hinge housing (2) in a fixed manner such that the hinging means (21) mechanically communicates with the refrigerator door when effectuating opening and closing of the door, characterized in that

the hinge housing (2) defines an inner space with a pair of oppositely disposed engagement housings (13) receiving springs (11), each spring (11) being in connection with a respective engagement block (12) movable within a respective engagement housings (13) such that advancement of the hinging means (21) into the hinge housing (2) in a mounting direction provides movement of the engagement blocks (12) in the direction of the end of the engagement housings (13) in a simultaneous and symmetrical manner.
A refrigerator as in Claim 1, characterized in that the hinge housing (2) defines an inner space with a first level (3) and a second level (4) as relatively spaced base levels within the inner area of the hinge casing (9) in the manner that while a release element (17) movable at the first level (3) provides removal of the hinging means (21) from the hinge housing (2), the hinging means (21) movable at the second level (4) is fixedly attachable to the hinge housing (2) to effectuate opening and closing of the door.
A refrigerator as in Claim 2, characterized in that each engagement block (12) is fixedly connected to a release block (18) at the first level (3) and a contact portion (15) at the second level (4).
A refrigerator as in Claim 3, characterized in that the hinging means (21) comprises a hinging support body (22) in the form of a substantially flat body insertable into the hinge housing (2) extending along the second level (4) in communication with the contact portions (15).
A refrigerator as in Claim 3, characterized in that wing portions (20) of the release element (17) movable at the first level (3) communicates with the release blocks (18).
A refrigerator as in Claim 5, characterized in that each engagement block (12) is movable in response to the movement of the release block (18) or the contact portion (15) within a respective engagement housing (13).
A refrigerator as in Claim 6, characterized in that the release element (17) and the hinging support body (22) respectively allow advancement of the release blocks (18) and the contact portions (15) into the engagement housings (13).
A refrigerator as in Claim 7, characterized in that the release blocks (18) and the contact portions (15) are structured to have inner side surfaces inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21).
A refrigerator as in Claim 8, characterized in that the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) introduced into the hinge housing (2) is removable by way of moving the release element (17) in the mounting direction so as to simultaneously and symmetrically move the release blocks (18) away in the respective engagement housings (13).
A refrigerator as in any one of the claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) comprises lateral closure recesses (25) engageable with the contact portions (15) so as to prevent reverse movement of the hinging support body (22) when the contact portions (15) are received into the closure recesses (25).
A refrigerator as in Claim 10, characterized in that the hinging support body (22) of the hinging means (21) comprises lateral projections (29) projecting outwardly from the lateral edges thereof communicating with receiving sections (16) of the respective contact portions (15).
A refrigerator as in Claim 11, characterized in that contact sections (26) of the hinging support body (22) at the front side corners of the same, when the latter is fully advanced into the hinge housing (2), lean on edge surfaces at the second level (4) of the hinge housing (2).
A refrigerator as in Claim 1, characterized in that an unhinging opening (31) positioned at the front side of the hinge housing (2) and opening to the refrigerator wall (1) portion proximate a hinge housing inlet (30) receiving the hinging means (21) is reachable on the refrigerator wall (1).
A refrigerator as in Claim 5 or 13, characterized in that the release element (17) is movable through the unhinging opening (31) so as to be pushed inward to cause reverse movement of the release blocks (18) by contact of the wing portions (20) therewith.
A refrigerator as in Claim 2, characterized in that guide portions (5) positioned at the first level (3) of the hinge housing (2) provide a slideway for the release element (17) being movable therealong while a pair of fixation supports (6) restricts the movement of the release element (17) in a guidably retained manner to the mounting direction of the hinging means (21).