EP3411644A1

EP3411644A1 - Adjustable hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP3411644A1
Application number: EP16703754.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Timur TATAR; Ibrahim Canigur; Ahmet Onur Moza
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-02-05
Filing date: 2016-02-05
Publication date: 2018-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-05
Also published as: WO2017133783A1; PL3411644T3; EP3411644B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge assembly (1) for a refrigerator (2) comprising one or more pivotable doors (4). The adjustable hinge assembly (1) of the present invention comprises a first bracket (5) adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3) of the refrigerator (2), a vertical pivot (6) for bearing the respective pivotable door (4), wherein the vertical pivot (6) is vertically movably connected to the first bracket (5); a second bracket (7) adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), wherein the second bracket (7) is relatively movably connected to the first bracket (5); a first adjustment mechanism (8) for moving the first bracket (5) relative to the second bracket (7) in the horizontal direction (H) parallel to the front; a second adjustment mechanism (9) for moving the vertical pivot (6) relative to the first bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V).

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 refrigerator which has side by side doors.
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 user.
This objective has been achieved by the adjustable hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 and the refrigerator as defined in claim 14. 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 first bracket which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body; a vertical pivot which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot of the respective pivotable door, wherein the vertical pivot is vertically movably connected to the first bracket; a second bracket which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body, wherein the second bracket is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket; a first adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the first bracket relative to the second bracket in the horizontal direction that is parallel to the front of the main body and a second adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the vertical pivot relative to the first bracket in the vertical direction.
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 first bracket and second brackets are each adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body. In this embodiment, the second bracket is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first bracket and second bracket can be easily assembled with the refrigerator.
In another embodiment, the first bracket has a vertical hole for receiving a pivot bolt that is mountable to the main body of the refrigerator. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first bracket can be easily pivotably mounted to the main body of the refrigerator through the pivot bolt.
In another embodiment, the second bracket has a pivot pin which fits into a hole on main body of the refrigerator. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the second bracket can be easily pivotably mounted to the refrigerator through the pivot pin.
In an embodiment, the horizontal distance between the first bracket and the second bracket can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw of the first adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the horizontal adjustment can be immediately performed through the horizontal adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the horizontal adjustment screw is threadably received in a threaded horizontal hole on the first bracket and accommodated at the narrow diameter section in a vertical notch on the second bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first narrow diameter section can stably drive the first bracket through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw.
In another embodiment, the second bracket can be fixed after the adjustment to the first bracket through a first fixing mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the pivotable door can be securely maintained at its adjusted position.
In another embodiment, the second bracket is fixed to the first bracket through a vertical fixing screw which is threadably received by a first threaded vertical hole on the first bracket and slidably accommodated in a horizontal slot on the second bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first fixing mechanism improves the integrity and the smooth operation of the first bracket and the second bracket.
In another embodiment, the vertical distance between the first bracket and the vertical pivot can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the vertical threaded rod of the second adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical adjustment can be immediately performed through rotating the vertical threaded rod.
In another embodiment, the vertical threaded rod is threadably engaged in a second threaded vertical hole on the first bracket and rotatable through an adjustment nut that is fixed thereon. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical adjustment can be immediately performed through the adjustment nut.
In another embodiment, the vertical pivot can be fixed after the adjustment to the first bracket through the second fixing mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the pivotable door can be securely maintained at its adjusted position.
In another embodiment, the vertical pivot can be fixed through a fixing nut which is threadably engaged with the lower end of the vertical threaded rod and abutted against the lower surface of the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical pivot can be securely maintained at its adjusted position through the fixing nut.
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly has a threaded foot that carries the refrigerator. The threaded foot is threadably engaged in a third threaded vertical hole on the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the adjustable hinge assembly can also be used at the bottom of the main body.
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 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 pivotable doors. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adjustable hinge assemblies can be flexibly used at different locations on the main body.
In another embodiment, the refrigerator comprises two side by side refrigeration compartments and two side by side pivotable doors for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments. In this embodiment, the 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 horizontal adjustment screw, the vertical fixing screw, the adjustment nut and the fixing nut comprises a commonly used head that matches a commonly used tool. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adjustment can be easily performed through the user by way of using a universal hand tool that matches the head.
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 front 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.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Adjustable hinge assembly
Refrigerator
Main body
Pivotable door
First bracket
Vertical pivot
Second bracket
1^st adjustment mechanism
2^nd adjustment mechanism
Vertical hole
Pivot pin

11a. Recess
12. Horizontal adjustment screw
13. Threaded horizontal hole
14. Vertical notch
15. Narrow diameter section
16. 1^st fixing mechanism
17. Vertical fixing screw
18. 1^st threaded vertical hole
19. Horizontal slot
20. Vertical threaded rod
21. 2^nd threaded vertical hole
22. Adjustment nut
23. 2^nd fixing mechanism
24. Fixing nut
25. Threaded foot
26. 3^rd threaded vertical hole
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) is suitable for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments (not shown) and one or more pivotable doors (4) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) of the present invention further comprises a first bracket (5) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3); a vertical pivot (6) which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot (not shown) of the respective pivotable door (4), wherein the vertical pivot (6) is vertically movably connected to the first bracket (5); a second bracket (7) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), wherein the second bracket (7) is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket (5); a first adjustment mechanism (8) which is adapted to move the first bracket (5) relative to the second bracket (7) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3) and a second adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the vertical pivot (6) relative to the first bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).
The refrigerator (2) of the present invention comprises one or more adjustable hinge assemblies (1) (Fig. 1).
In an embodiment, the first bracket (5) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body (3). In this embodiment, the second bracket (7) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to main body (3). In this embodiment, the second bracket (7) is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket (5) (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the first bracket (5) has a vertical hole (10) which is adapted to receive a pivot bolt (not shown). In this embodiment, the pivot bolt is adapted to be vertically mounted to the main body (3).
In another embodiment, the second bracket (7) has a pivot pin (11) which is adapted to be mounted to the main body (3) (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the pivot pin (11) is press fitted into a recess (11a) on the second bracket (7) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (8) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (12) that is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to change the horizontal distance between the second bracket (7) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (8) further comprises a threaded horizontal hole (13) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal adjustment screw (12) and a vertical notch (14) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to accommodate a narrow diameter section (15) of the horizontal adjustment screw (12) (Fig.4).
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a first fixing mechanism (16) which is adapted to fix the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the first fixing mechanism (16) comprises a vertical fixing screw (17) which is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) upon rotation; a first threaded vertical hole (18) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the vertical fixing screw (17) and a horizontal slot (19) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to slidably accommodate the respective vertical fixing screw (17) (Fig. 4)
In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical threaded rod (20) that is adapted to connect the vertical pivot (6) to the first bracket (5) and to change the vertical distance between the vertical pivot (6) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a second threaded vertical hole (21) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical threaded rod (20) and an adjustment nut (22) which is fixed to the vertical threaded rod (20) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a second fixing mechanism (23) which is adapted to fix the vertical threaded rod (20) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment (Fig. 3).
In another embodiment, the second fixing mechanism (23) comprises a fixing nut (24) which is adapted to be threadably received by the lower end of the vertical threaded rod (20) which protrudes through the second threaded vertical hole (21) on the first bracket (5) (Fig. 4).
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 first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the threaded foot (25) (Fig. 4).
In another embodiment, the refrigerator (2) comprises at least two side by side refrigeration compartments; at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments and 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 (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. 3). 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 can be entirely mounted/demounted for service (Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). With the present invention, the assembly and the maintenance of the pivotable doors (4) have been improved (Fig. 4). 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; one or more pivotable doors (4) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) being characterized in that a first bracket (5) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), a vertical pivot (6) which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot of the respective pivotable door (4), wherein the vertical pivot (6) is vertically movably connected to the first bracket (5); a second bracket (7) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), wherein the second bracket (7) is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket (5); a first adjustment mechanism (8) which is adapted to move the first bracket (5) relative to the second bracket (7) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3) and a second adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the vertical pivot (6) relative to the first bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bracket (5) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body (3), the second bracket (7) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to main body (3) and the second bracket (7) is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket (5).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first bracket (5) has a vertical hole (10) which is adapted to receive a pivot bolt, wherein the pivot bolt is adapted to be vertically mounted to the main body (3).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second bracket (7) has a pivot pin (11) which is adapted to be mounted to the main body (3).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (8) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (12) that is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to change the horizontal distance between the second bracket (7) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (8) further comprises a threaded horizontal hole (13) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the horizontal adjustment screw (12) and a vertical notch (14) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to accommodate a narrow diameter section (15) of the horizontal adjustment screw (12).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a first fixing mechanism (16) which is adapted to fix the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first fixing mechanism (16) comprises a vertical fixing screw (17) which is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) upon rotation; a first threaded vertical hole (18) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the vertical fixing screw (17) and a horizontal slot (19) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to slidably accommodate the respective vertical fixing screw (17).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical threaded rod (20) that is adapted to connect the vertical pivot (6) to the first bracket (5) and to change the vertical distance between the vertical pivot (6) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a second threaded vertical hole (21) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the vertical threaded rod (20) and an adjustment nut (22) which is fixed to the vertical threaded rod (20).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a second fixing mechanism (23) which is adapted to fix the vertical threaded rod (20) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment.
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second fixing mechanism (23) comprises a fixing nut (24) which is adapted to be threadably engaged with the lower end of the vertical threaded rod (20) which protrudes through the second threaded vertical hole (21) on the first bracket (5).
The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a threaded foot (25) and a third threaded vertical hole (26) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with 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) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment, characterized in that one or more adjustable hinge assemblies (1) each as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.
The refrigerator (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that at least two side by side refrigeration compartments and at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments and 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.