EP3359892A1

EP3359892A1 - Adjustable hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP3359892A1
Application number: EP15775231.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aylin ACIKEL; Durser Cagatay BOLUKBASI; Hulusi Han Iyigun; Ahmet Onur Moza; Cahit Emre SARIOGLU
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-08
Publication date: 2018-08-15
Also published as: WO2017059909A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge assembly (1) for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments and respective pivotable doors (4). The adjustable hinge assembly (1) comprises a base bracket (5) adapted to be fixed to the main body (3). The hinge assembly (1) of the present invention comprise a bearing bracket (6) which is horizontally and vertically movably disposed onto the base bracket (5), wherein the bearing bracket (6) includes a pivot (7) for engaging with the respective pivotable door (4).

Description

ADJUSTABLE HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The present invention more particularly relates to the hinge assembly which supports the pivotable door of the refrigerator.
Refrigerators are commonly known in the art. A refrigerator generally comprises a main body which includes one or more refrigeration compartments for refrigerating the articles and one or more pivotable doors for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments. The pivotable doors are mounted to the main body through respective hinge assemblies. The refrigeration compartments and the pivotable doors may be arranged side by side or alternatively one above the other.
US 8,491,070 B2 discloses a side by side refrigerator.
A common problem with the prior art refrigerator is that the relative position of each pivotable door must be adjusted during the assembly process by the assembly operator due to the manufacturing tolerances. The adjustment process is very time consuming and complicated. Moreover, after the assembly process, the service person as well as the user has no possibility to readjust the pivotable doors during the installation of the refrigerator in case of need.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables the hinge assembly to be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the the user.
This objective has been achieved by the adjustable hinge assembly as defined in claim 1, and the refrigerator as defined in claim 11. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
The adjustable hinge assembly of the present invention comprises a bearing bracket which is horizontally and vertically movably disposed onto the base bracket that is adapted to be fixed to the main body of the refrigerator, wherein the bearing bracket includes a pivot which is adapted to engage with the counterpart pivot of the respective pivotable door; a first adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the bearing bracket relative to the base bracket in the vertical direction and a second adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the bearing bracket relative to the base bracket in the horizontal direction that is parallel to the front of the main body.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the pivotable doors can be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the user. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each pivotable door can be continuously adjusted both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. Thereby, the pivotable doors can be mutually aligned, and thus the appearance of the refrigerator can be improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adjustable hinge assembly can be easily accessed from the outside and can be entirely mounted/demounted for service. With the present invention, the assembly and the maintenance of the pivotable doors have been improved.
In an embodiment, the vertical distance between the bearing bracket and the base bracket can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the vertical adjustment screw of the first adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical adjustment can be immediately performed through a single vertical adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the vertical adjustment screw is threadably received in a first threaded vertical hole on the base bracket and slidably accommodated at its first narrow diameter section in a first horizontal slot on the bearing bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first narrow diameter section can stably raise or lower the bearing bracket through accordingly rotating the vertical adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the horizontal distance between the bearing bracket and the base bracket can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw of the second adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the horizontal adjustment can be immediately performed through a single horizontal adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the horizontal adjustment screw is threadably received in a first threaded horizontal hole on the base bracket and slidably accommodated at its second narrow diameter section in a first vertical notch on the bearing bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the narrow diameter section can stably drive the bearing bracket through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the bearing bracket can be fixed after the adjustment to the base bracket through the fixing mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the pivotable door can be securely maintained at its adjusted position.
In another embodiment, the bearing bracket can be fixed after the adjustment to the base bracket through a horizontal fixing screw which is threadably received in a second threaded horizontal hole on the base bracket and slidably accommodated in a second vertical notch on the bearing bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the fixing can be immediately performed through a single horizontal fixing screw.
In another embodiment, the bearing bracket is horizontally aligned and reinforced through the vertical alignment screw of the alignment mechanism, which is threadably received in a second threaded vertical hole on the base bracket and slidably accommodated in a second horizontal slot on the the bearing bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the alignment mechanism improves the mechanical strength of the adjustable hinge assembly and enables a smooth adjustment of the pivotable door.
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly has a threaded foot that carries the refrigerator. The threaded foot is threadably received in a third threaded vertical hole on the base bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the adjustable hinge assembly can also be used at the bottom of the main body so to engage with the counterpart pivot of the respective pivotable door.
In another embodiment, the threaded foot has a grip. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the grip facilitates the manual height adjustment of the threaded foot, and thus the need for using a hand tool has been obviated.
In another embodiment, the refrigerator comprises two side by side refrigeration compartments and two side by side pivotable doors for accessing the respective compartments. In this embodiment, side by side pivotable doors are supported through two adjustable hinge assemblies which are disposed onto the bottom of the main body.
This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the relative positions of the side by side pivotable doors can be correctly adjusted.
In other alternative embodiments, each of the aforementioned screws comprises a commonly used screw head that matches a commonly used screw driver. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adjustment can be performed through the user by way of using a universal hand tool that matches the screw head.
In other alternative embodiments, the adjustable hinge assembly is used at the top of the main body, at the bottom of the main body or between the top and the bottom of the main body in accordance with the particular arrangement of the doors.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the adjustable hinge assembly and the refrigerator of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator which has two adjustable hinge assemblies at the bottom of the main body according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail A of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 – is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 – is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3;
Figure 5 – is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the base bracket of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3;
Figure 6 – is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the bearing bracket of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3;
Figure 7 – is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the first piece of the vertical adjustment screw of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3;
Figure 8 – is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the second piece of the vertical adjustment screw of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3;
Figure 9 – is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the horizontal adjustment screw, the horizontal fixing screw, and the vertical alignment screw of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Adjustable hinge assembly
Refrigerator
Main body
Pivotable door
Base bracket

5a. Mounting means
6. Bearing bracket
7. Pivot
8. Counterpart pivot
9. 1^st adjustment mechanism
10. 2^nd adjustment mechanism
11. Vertical adjustment screw
11a. 1^st narrow diameter section
11b. 1^st piece
11c. 2^nd piece
11d. Vertical hexagonal socket
11e. Radial bore
11f 1^st threaded section
11g. 2^nd threaded section
12. 1^st threaded vertical hole
13. 1^st horizontal slot
14. Horizontal adjustment screw
14a. 2^nd narrow diameter section
14b. 1^st screw driver slot
15. 1^st threaded horizontal hole
16. 1^st vertical notch
17. Fixing mechanism
18. Horizontal fixing screw
18a. 2^nd screw driver slot
19. 2^nd threaded horizontal hole
20. 2^nd vertical notch
21. Alignment mechanism
22. Vertical alignment screw
22a. 3^rd screw driver slot
23. 2^ndthreaded vertical hole
24. 2^nd horizontal slot
25. Threaded foot
25a. Grip
26. 3^rd threaded vertical hole
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) is suitable for use in a refrigerator (2) (Fig. 1).
The refrigerator (2) comprises: a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments (not shown); a refrigeration circuit (not shown) for refrigerating each of the refrigeration compartments and one or more pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments (Fig. 1).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) comprises a base bracket (5) which is adapted to be fixed to the main body (3) from the outside through a mounting means (5a) (Fig. 5).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) of the present invention further comprising a bearing bracket (6) which is horizontally and vertically movably disposed onto the base bracket (5), wherein the bearing bracket (6) includes a pivot (7) which is adapted to engage with the counterpart pivot (8) of the respective pivotable door (4); a first adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the bearing bracket (6) relative to the base bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V) and a second adjustment mechanism (10) which is adapted to move the bearing bracket (6) relative to the base bracket (5) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3) (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
The refrigerator (2) of the present invention comprises one or more adjustable hinge assemblies (1) (Fig. 1).
In an embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical adjustment screw (11) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to change a vertical distance between the bearing bracket (6) and the base bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a first threaded vertical hole (12) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical adjustment screw (11) and a first horizontal slot (13) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate a first narrow diameter section (11a) of the vertical adjustment screw (11). In this embodiment, the first horizontal slot (13) is elongated in the horizontal direction (H) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the vertical adjustment screw (11) comprises a first piece (11b) and a second piece (11c) which are detachably attachable at the first narrow diameter section (11a) (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).
In another embodiment, the vertical adjustment screw (11) comprises a vertical hexagonal socket (11d) that is formed into the second piece (11c) and radial bores (11e) that are formed into the first piece (11b) (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).
In another embodiment, the second piece (11c) and the first piece (11b) are connected through the engagement of a first threaded section (11f) and a second threaded section (11g) (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).
In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (10) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (14) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to change a horizontal distance between the bearing bracket (6) and the base bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (10) further comprises a first threaded horizontal hole (15) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal adjustment screw (14) and a first vertical notch (16) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate a second narrow diameter section (14a) of the horizontal adjustment screw (14) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the horizontal adjustment screw (14) comprises a first screw driver slot (14b) for receiving a flat bladed screw driver (not shown) (Fig. 9).
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a fixing mechanism (17) which is adapted to fix the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) after the adjustment (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the fixing mechanism (17) comprises a horizontal fixing screw (18) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) upon rotation; a second threaded horizontal hole (19) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal fixing screw (18) and a second vertical notch (20) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate the horizontal fixing screw (18) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the horizontal fixing screw (18) comprises a second screw driver slot (18a) for receiving the flat bladed screw driver (not shown) (Fig. 9).
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises an alignment mechanism (21) which comprises a vertical alignment screw (22) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5); a second threaded vertical hole (23) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical alignment screw (22) and a second horizontal slot (24) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate the vertical alignment screw (22) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the vertical alignment screw (22) comprises a third screw driver slot (22a) for receiving the flat bladed screw driver (not shown) (Fig. 9).
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a threaded foot (25) and a third threaded vertical hole (26) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the threaded foot (25) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the threaded foot (25) has a grip (25a) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the refrigerator (2) comprises at least two side by side refrigeration compartments and at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective compartments. In this embodiment, the two adjustable hinge assemblies (1) are disposed onto the bottom of the main body (3) in close proximity to the opposite side walls of the main body (3) respectively (Fig. 1).
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the pivotable doors (4) can be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the user (Fig.1). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each pivotable door (4) can be continuously adjusted both in the horizontal direction (H) and in the vertical direction (V) (Fig. 2). Thereby, the pivotable doors (4) can be mutually aligned, and thus the appearance of the refrigerator (2) can be improved (Fig. 1). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adjustable hinge assembly (1) can be easily accessed from the outside and mounted/demounted for service (Fig. 2 and Fig. 5). Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above described embodiments.

Claims

An adjustable hinge assembly (1) for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments and one or more pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective compartments, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) comprising a base bracket (5) which is adapted to be fixed to the main body (3), the adjustable hinge assembly (1) being characterized in that a bearing bracket (6) which is horizontally and vertically movably disposed onto the base bracket (5), wherein the bearing bracket (6) includes a pivot (7) which is adapted to engage with the counterpart pivot (8) of the respective pivotable door (4), a first adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the bearing bracket (6) relative to the base bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V) and a second adjustment mechanism (10) which is adapted to move the bearing bracket (6) relative to the base bracket (5) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical adjustment screw (11) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to change a vertical distance between the bearing bracket (6) and the base bracket (5) upon rotation.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a first threaded vertical hole (12) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical adjustment screw (11) and a first horizontal slot (13) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate a first narrow diameter section (11a) of the vertical adjustment screw (11).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the vertical adjustment screw (11) comprises a first piece (11b) and a second piece (11c) which are detachably attachable to each other at the first narrow diameter section (11a).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claim 4, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (10) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (14) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to change a horizontal distance between the bearing bracket (6) and the base bracket (5) upon rotation.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (10) further comprises a first threaded horizontal hole (15) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal adjustment screw (14) and a first vertical notch (16) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate a second narrow diameter section (14a) of the horizontal adjustment screw (14).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a fixing mechanism (17) which is adapted to fix the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) after the adjustment.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing mechanism (17) comprises a horizontal fixing screw (18) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5) upon rotation; a second threaded horizontal hole (19) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal fixing screw (18) and a second vertical notch (20) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate the horizontal fixing screw (18).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that an alignment mechanism (21) which comprises a vertical alignment screw (22) which is adapted to connect the bearing bracket (6) to the base bracket (5); a second threaded vertical hole (23) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical alignment screw (22) and a second horizontal slot (24) which is formed into the bearing bracket (6) and adapted to slidably accommodate the vertical alignment screw (22).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a threaded foot (25) and a third threaded vertical hole (26) which is formed into the base bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the threaded foot (25).
A refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments and one or more pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective compartments, characterized in that one or more adjustable hinge assemblies (1) each as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.
The refrigerator (2) according to claim 11, comprising at least two side by side refrigeration compartments and at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective compartments, characterized in that two adjustable hinge assemblies (1) each disposed onto the bottom of the main body (3) in close proximity to the opposite side walls of the main body (3) respectively.