JP2687756B2 - Hinge device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge device for a refrigerator or the like, and more particularly to a peripheral structure of the hinge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
It is a front view of the refrigerator provided with the conventional hinge apparatus shown by the 7th publication. In FIG. 15, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 is a door, 3 is a door frame, and 4 is a hinge cover formed of a general-grade thermoplastic resin. 16 to 21.
Shows another conventional example. In the figure, 5 is a hinge formed of a metal plate such as an iron plate, 5b is a hole for inserting the lead wire 20 provided in the hinge 5, and 5a is a shaft provided at the tip of the hinge 5. 6 is a shaft hole for holding 6, and 19 is a hinge 5.
Is a screw for fixing to the refrigerator body 1. The operation of the above configuration will be described.

In the conventional example of FIG. 15, the upper surface of the door frame 3 is a flat end, a hinge (not shown) simply pivotally supports the door 2 from above, and the hinge cover 4 covers the hinge. It appears to pop out at the top of the frame 3. Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 16 to 21, a notch step portion is provided in the peripheral portion of the hinge 5 of the door frame 3, and the hinge 5 is arranged at this notch step portion.
A hinge cover 4 covers the step so as to make it inconspicuous. Therefore, even when viewed from the front as shown in the enlarged front view of the main part of FIG. 17 and when seen from the side as shown in the enlarged side view of the main part of FIG. 19, the portion protruding from the door frame 3 is completely absent. Absent. Further, since the lead wire 19 having the protective sheath is inserted into the hole 5b of the hinge 5, it is not damaged by opening and closing the door 2.

[0004]

Since the conventional hinge device is constructed as described above, even if the hinge cover is popped out from the door frame or is not popped out, the hinge cover shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, there are gaps C and D between the door frame and the hinge cover, which makes the appearance unsightly. Particularly, when a load is applied to the door, there is a problem that the C dimension becomes large and the appearance from the front of the door may be further deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example. When the door is viewed from the front, there is almost no protrusion of the hinge cover or a gap between the mating parts, and even when viewed from the side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge device which has an excellent design property without impairing its aesthetic appearance and which can easily and securely guide and protect a lead wire.

[0006]

Hin <br/> di device SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides are those described in the following (1) to (4). (1) In a hinge device including a hinge that pivotally supports a door on a main body, and a hinge cover that covers the hinge, in a corner portion of a door frame that forms an upper end portion of the door, a front surface of the door around the hinge. A notch step portion that pivotally supports the door on the hinge is provided by leaving a wall and a part of a side wall continuous with the wall, and the upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the door frame, and the side surface of the notch step portion is on the side surface. A hinge cover having a cutout portion that covers the cutout step portion and that is substantially flush with the side wall is provided .
of. (2) In a hinge device including a hinge that pivotally supports a door to a main body, and a hinge cover that covers the hinge, in a corner portion of a door frame that forms an upper end portion of the door, a front surface of the door around the hinge. A notch step portion for pivotally supporting the door on the hinge is provided while leaving the wall and a part of the side wall continuous with the wall, and the upper surface is formed higher than the upper surface of the door frame by approximately the plate thickness, and the upper surface plate of the hinge cover is formed. A hinge cover is provided that extends along the upper surface of the door frame and has a notch formed on the side surface thereof so as to follow the side surface shape of the notch step portion and substantially flush with the side wall to cover the notch step portion . thing. (3) In a hinge device including a hinge that pivotally supports the door to the main body, and a hinge cover that covers the hinge, in a corner portion of a door frame that forms an upper end portion of the door, a front surface of the door around the hinge. The hinge cover is provided with a notch step portion for pivotally supporting the door on the hinge while leaving a wall and a part of a side wall continuous with the wall, and the upper surface of the hinge cover is substantially flush with the upper surface of the door frame or less. Is provided with a notch groove for preventing interference with the rear end of the notch step portion side wall of the door frame due to the opening of the door, and the side surface of the notch step portion is formed in accordance with the side shape of the notch step portion. A hinge cover provided with a cutout portion that covers the cutout step portion and is substantially flush with the side wall . (4) When opening the front Kitobira, following the peripheral shape of the cut groove provided in the hinge to prevent interference between the rear end and the hinge notch step portion side wall of the door frame, of the hinge cover When a rib for protecting the lead wire is projected downward from the upper surface plate to the notch of the hinge and the door is further opened, interference between the hinge and the rear end of the side wall of the notch step portion of the door frame is prevented. the periphery of the cut groove provided in the hinge to prevent, was also additionally provided a lead wire guide member for protecting the leads upstanding substantially to the rear surface of the hinge cover upper plate along the shape of the cut-out groove
of.

[0007]

In the hinge device according to the present invention having the above-described structure, the front wall of the door around the hinge and a part of the side wall continuous with the front wall are formed at the corners of the door frame forming the upper end of the door. A cutout step portion that pivotally supports the door to the hinge is provided, and a hinge cover that covers the cutout step portion substantially flush with the upper surface and the side surface of the door frame is provided, and the lead wire is provided inside the hinge cover. Since a rib or lead wire guide member is provided to protect the guide, the appearance when the door is closed shows almost no protrusion of the hinge cover or the gap between the mating parts when viewed from the front, and the gap generated on the side surface is also minimized. The appearance is improved and the hinge is completely hidden even when the door is opened. In addition to this, wiring of the lead wire becomes easy,
When the rear end of the side wall of the door frame notch step portion is fitted into the notch of the hinge when the door is opened and closed, the lead wire is not bitten and damaged.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Structure) FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator equipped with a hinge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the refrigerator according to the above embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the same part. Is a side view of the main part, FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the main part, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of the main part. The same or corresponding parts as in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals.

1 to 6 , 4A is a hinge cover, and 7 is a front wall 8 of the door frame 3 and a front wall 8 of the door frame 3 which are connected to a right corner C of the door frame 3 forming the upper end of the door 2. It is a notched stepped portion (hereinafter referred to as a stepped portion) that is provided as a recess with a part of the side wall 9 left, and the hinge 5 is arranged at this stepped portion 7.
The door 2 is rotatably supported by the shaft hole 5a of the hinge 5 and the shaft 6. Reference numeral 9a denotes a rear end of the side wall 9, and 10 denotes a side plate of the hinge cover 4, which forms a notch 11 following the shape of the side wall 9. Reference numeral 12 denotes an upper surface plate of the hinge cover 4A, which is formed to be higher than the door frame 3 by a substantially plate thickness, and a tip end thereof is extended along the upper surface of the door frame 3 and, together with the notch 11, the door frame when the door 2 is opened. The rotating parts of the front wall 8 and the side wall 9 of 3 are housed under the top plate 12. Reference numeral 13 is a notch groove formed in the hinge 5 fixed to the main body 1, and is notched so as not to interfere with the rotation trajectory of the rear end 9a of the side wall 9. 14 is at the front of the hinge 5,
The substantially L-shaped flange reinforces the strength of the cut groove 13 portion. Reference numeral 15 is a hole for pivotally supporting the shaft 6 supported by the hinge 5, which is formed in the door frame 3. Reference numeral 16 is a gasket, 17 is an inner box, and 18 is a door inner plate. Note that Hin
As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 4A may be formed with a side wall 4a that fits into the cut groove 13 and has a shape that follows the cut groove 13.
Good. By doing this, the cut groove 13 portion is further reinforced.
can do.

Description will be made based on the above configuration. A step portion 7 is provided around the hinge 5 of the door frame 3, the hinge 5 is attached to the step portion 7 with a screw (not shown), and the upper surface plate 12 of the hinge cover 4A is higher than the upper surface of the door frame 3 by an approximately plate thickness. In addition, the side plate 10 is formed with a notch 11 following the shape of the side wall 9 of the step 7 of the door frame 3, and the hinge cover 4A is hinged 5
Fit to the side of. At this time, the appearance is shown in FIGS.
When viewed from the front, the hinge cover 4A
Appears to protrude from the upper surface of the door frame 3 by an A dimension corresponding to approximately the plate thickness of the upper surface plate 12, and when viewed from the side, a fitting portion can be seen along the shape of the side wall 9, and when viewed from above, the door frame 3 and Although the mating part of the hinge cover 4A can be seen, the part that can be seen from any direction and the gap are small, and the appearance is very good. Except for the side view, the appearance is significantly improved compared to the conventional example. There is.

Next, when the door 2 is opened, the rear end 9a of the side wall 9 of the door frame 3 pivots around the shaft 6 as shown by the dashed line in FIG. It approaches close to 13 and is stopped by a door stopper (not shown) attached to the lower part of the door 2. At this time, the front wall 8 which is the outer peripheral portion of the stepped portion 7 of the door frame 3 is stopped immediately before coming into contact with the tip 11a of the cutout portion 11 of the hinge cover 4A. At this time, the hinge 5 is concealed by the side wall 10 of the hinge cover 4A when viewed from the front side by the front wall 8 and the side wall 9 of the door frame 3 and when viewed from the inside, and the appearance is excellent. Furthermore, even if a large load is applied to the door 2,
The strength is sufficiently reinforced by the L-shaped flange 14 provided on the outer periphery of the hinge 5.

In the above embodiment, the hinge device provided at the upper right corner of the door 2 is shown, but it may be at the left side of the door 2 or at the lower corner, both of which are similar to those of the above embodiment. It is possible to exert an effect.

Next, a hinge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in the perspective view of the essential part of the refrigerator in FIG. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 8, 4B is a hinge cover, and the upper surface S ₂ of this hinge cover 4B is the upper surface S _{1 of the} door frame 3.
It is formed to be substantially flush with or slightly lower. Reference numeral 4b denotes an arcuate cut groove cut into the upper surface plate 12 so that the rear end 9a of the side wall 9 does not interfere with the upper surface plate 12 of the hinge cover 4B when the door 2 is opened.

In the above structure, when the door 2 is opened, the rear end 9a of the side wall 9 of the door frame 3 which is rotated around the shaft 6 and fitted into the cut groove 13 of the hinge 5 is hinged. It is introduced into the cut groove 4b of the cover 4B, which allows the door 2 to be opened and closed without any interference. The other details are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description will be omitted.

Further, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the essential parts of a hinge device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the hinge cover thereof, and FIG. 11 is a lead wire of the third embodiment. The principal part sectional drawing of the hinge apparatus arrange | positioned is shown. The same or corresponding parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In FIGS. 9 to 11, reference numeral 4C denotes a hinge cover, and a rib 4r having a shape that follows the cut groove 13 from the rear surface of the upper surface plate 12 of the hinge cover 4C downwardly.
Is projected up to the side peripheral surface of the cut groove 13 of the hinge 5.
Reference numeral 21 is a connector for connecting the lead wire 20 to the power source, and 22 is a connector housing portion.

In the above structure, the lead wire 20 is protected by the peripheral surface of the rib 4r and reliably prevents the lead wire 20 from being damaged by the rear end 9a of the side wall 9 when the door 2 is opened.

Furthermore, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of a hinge device having a lead wire according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a plan view of the main part of the same, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the hinge device to which the lead wire guide member is attached.

12 to 14, reference numeral 23 is a lead provided with a fitting holding portion 23a fitted and held on the peripheral edge in accordance with the shape of the cut groove 13 of the hinge 5, and a partition wall 23b which is substantially vertical above. It is a line guide member.

In the case of this embodiment, the lead wire guide member 2
3 is held in the inner circumference of the cut groove 13 of the hinge 5 by the fitting holding portion 23a, and the partition wire 23b partitions the lead wire 20 arrangement portion, so that the lead wire 20 can be safely opened and closed by the door 2. Not only is it protected, but it also serves as a guide for disposing the lead wire 20, and wiring of the lead wire 20 becomes extremely easy.

As exemplified above, according to the present invention,
The appearance of the hinge device that attaches the door to the main body can be made extremely excellent, which not only increases the commercial value but also completely eliminates the damage caused by opening and closing the door of the lead wire arranged in the hinge device. Can be prevented. Further, this eliminates the need to apply a protective sheath to the lead wire, and can reduce the processing cost including the wiring work and the material cost.

In the above embodiment, the hinge 5 is made of a metal plate and the hinge covers 4A, 4B, 4C are made of general grade thermoplastic resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If engineering plastic with a high shear allowable stress is used and integrally molded with the functions of a hinge and a hinge cover, a small hinge device with a large second moment of area can be obtained by increasing the wall thickness and adding reinforcing ribs. It is also possible, and the effect can be made equal or higher.

Although the hinge 5 is a metal plate and the lead wire guide member 23 is a separate member, it may be integrally formed by using engineering plastic.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the front wall of the door frame and a part of the side wall connected to the front wall are provided at the corners of the door frame forming the upper end of the door of the refrigerator or the like. The hinge is provided with a notch step portion for pivotally supporting the door, the upper surface thereof is substantially flush with the upper surface of the door frame, and the side surface thereof is substantially flush with the side wall following the side shape of the notch step portion. First, a hinge cover with a notch is formed to cover the notch step,
Further, a rib for preventing the lead wire from being damaged by the rear end of the side wall due to the opening and closing of the door or a shape of a cut groove for preventing a lead wire guide member from interfering with the side wall and the front wall provided on the hinge. Since it is provided in accordance with the above, it is possible to reduce the protrusion of the hinge cover and the gap at the part where it fits with the door frame, which makes it possible to make the appearance of the hinge device with excellent design and extremely high commercial value, It is possible to completely prevent damage to the lead wire arranged on the hinge due to opening and closing.

Further, as a result, it is not necessary to provide a protective sheath on the lead wire to be used, and the cost of the lead wire can be reduced and the wiring cost of the lead wire can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator including a hinge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the essential parts of the refrigerator of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part of the refrigerator of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the configuration of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main configuration of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the essential parts of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the essential configuration of a refrigerator including a hinge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the main configuration of a hinge device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of a main part of a hinge cover according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a hinge device provided with a lead wire according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a main part configuration of a refrigerator including a hinge device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of the main parts of a hinge device in which the lead wire of the fourth embodiment is arranged.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of a hinge device having a lead wire according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a refrigerator including a hinge device of a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a refrigerator including another conventional hinge device.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the conventional example.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the conventional example.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged side view of a main part of the conventional example.

FIG. 20 is a sectional side view showing a configuration of a main part of the conventional example.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a configuration of a main part showing a lead wire arrangement state of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Door 3 Door frame 4A, 4B, 4C Hinge cover 4b Notch groove 4r Rib 5 Hinge 7 Notch step section 8 Front wall 9 Side wall 9a Side wall rear end 11 Notch section 12 Top plate 13 Notch groove 20 Lead wire 23 Lead wire guide member C Corner portion of door frame S ₁ Upper surface of door frame S ₂ Upper surface of hinge cover In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding portions.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hinge device comprising a hinge for pivotally supporting a door on a main body and a hinge cover for covering the hinge,
The corner portion of the door frame forming the upper end of the door is provided with a notch step portion that pivotally supports the door on the hinge, leaving a front wall of the door around the hinge and a part of a side wall continuous with the front wall. A hinge cover whose upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the door frame, and whose side surface is provided with a cutout portion which is substantially flush with the side wall and which covers the cutout step portion in conformity with the side shape of the cutout step portion. A hinge device characterized by the above. 2. A hinge device comprising a hinge for pivotally supporting a door on a main body and a hinge cover for covering the hinge,
The corner portion of the door frame forming the upper end of the door is provided with a notch step portion that pivotally supports the door on the hinge, leaving a front wall of the door around the hinge and a part of a side wall continuous with the front wall. , The upper surface is formed higher than the upper surface of the door frame by approximately the plate thickness, and the upper surface plate of this hinge cover is extended along the upper surface of the door frame.
And, and the hinge apparatus characterized by providing a hinge cover which is formed a notch for covering the cutout step portion on the side wall substantially flush following the side surface shape of the cut-out step portion on its side. 3. A hinge device comprising a hinge for pivotally supporting a door on a main body, and a hinge cover for covering the hinge,
The corner portion of the door frame forming the upper end of the door is provided with a notch step portion that pivotally supports the door on the hinge, leaving a front wall of the door around the hinge and a part of a side wall continuous with the front wall. , The upper surface of the hinge cover is substantially flush with the upper surface of the door frame
A cut groove is provided on the upper surface plate of the hinge cover to prevent interference with the rear end of the side wall of the cutout step portion of the door frame when the door is opened, and the side surface of the cutout step portion has a side surface shape. A hinge device characterized in that a hinge cover having a cutout portion that covers the cutout step portion and is substantially flush with the side wall of the door frame is provided. 4. When the door is opened, the hinge cover follows the peripheral shape of a notch groove provided in the hinge for preventing interference between the rear end of the side wall of the notch step portion of the door frame and the hinge. 3. A rib for protecting the lead wire is provided so as to project downward from the upper surface plate of the device to the notch groove of the hinge.
Alternatively, the hinge device according to claim 3. 5. When the door is opened, the shape of the cut groove is formed on the periphery of the cut groove provided in the hinge for preventing the hinge from interfering with the rear end of the side wall of the cut step portion of the door frame. 4. The hinge device according to claim 2, further comprising a lead wire guide member for protecting the lead wire, which is upright to substantially the back surface of the upper surface plate of the hinge cover.