NL2015906B1

NL2015906B1 - Hinge system for a door.

Info

Publication number: NL2015906B1
Application number: NL2015906A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Harold Bronkhorst Johannes
Original assignee: Estem B V
Priority date: 2015-12-04
Filing date: 2015-12-04
Publication date: 2017-06-30
Also published as: NL2015906A; WO2017095225A1

Abstract

Hinge system for a door, such as a door for a refrigerated display cabinet. The hinge system has a frame (4) provided with an upper guide rail (6) and a lower guide rail (8), an upper hinge (10) movably arranged on the upper guide rail (6) and a lower hinge (12) movably arranged on the lower guide rail (8). The upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12) comprise an upper actuator member (14) and a lower actuator member (16), respectively. The upper actuator member (14) is connected to the lower actuator member (16) for synchronous movement of the upper hinge (10) and lower hinge (12) along the upper and lower guide rail (6, 8), respectively.

Description

Hinge system for a door Field of the invention

The invention relates to a hinge system for a door, in particular a moveable hinge system for a door of a refrigerated display cabinet.

Prior art

The US patent publication US 4,416,086 discloses an improved adjustable mounting arrangement for mounting a glass door assembly on a door frame for a refrigerated display cabinet. The mounting arrangement includes upper and lower hinge assemblies for providing swinging movement of the door assembly relative to the door frame, with the hinge assembly accommodating adjustment of the hinge axis relative to the door frame for alignment of the door assembly in order to provide effective sealing and enhanced appearance of the display case. The hinge assemblies include upper and lower hinge brackets which are adapted to receive upper and lower hinge pins of the door assembly, the brackets being adapted to be attached to frame members of the door frame in different positions for effecting alignment of the door.

Summary of the invention

The present invention seeks to provide an improved hinge system for a door, in particular a synchronously moveable hinge system for a door of a refrigerated display cabinet, wherein the hinge systems prevents misalignment of an hingeable engagement of the door with an upper and lower hinge of the hinge system during displacement thereof.

According to the present invention a hinge system of the type defined in the preamble is provided, wherein the hinge system comprising a frame provided with an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail, an upper hinge movably arranged on the upper guide rail and a lower hinge movably arranged on the lower guide rail, wherein the upper hinge and the lower hinge comprise an upper actuator member and a lower actuator member, respectively, and one or two doors in hingeable engagement with the upper hinge and the lower hinge, wherein the upper actuator member is connected to the lower actuator member for synchronous movement of the upper hinge and lower hinge along the upper and lower guide rail, respectively.

The hinge system according to the present invention allows the one or two doors to be moved along the frame, such as moving the one or two doors to one side of the refrigerated display cabinet, wherein the upper and lower hinge move with substantially the same speed along the frame. As a result the one or two doors remain in a substantially vertical position in the display cabinet, thereby minimizing possible bending moments between the one or two doors and the upper and lower hinge. So because of the synchronous movement of the upper and lower hinge along the upper and lower guide rail, misalignment of the one or two doors with respect to the display cabinet is minimized.

Brief description of the figures

The attached figures illustrate an embodiment of a hinge according to the invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a hinge system for a refrigerated display cabinet according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of a lower hinge according to the present invention;

Figure 3A and 3B each, respectively, show a three dimensional view of an embodiment of an upper and lower hinge according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a hydraulic motion damper according to the present invention;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention;

Figure 6a shows a three dimensional view of a first piston element as used in a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6b shows an exploded view of the first piston element of Fig. 6a, and

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the hydraulic flow in the embodiments shown in Fig. 6a and 6b.

Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a hinge system 1 for a refrigerated display cabinet 2 according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the hinge system 1 comprises a frame 4 provided with an upper guide rail 6 and a lower guide rail 8. In most embodiments the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8 are straight, providing a straight track for the hinge system 1. In alternative embodiments the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8 may be curved, thus providing a curved track for the hinge system 1 to move along, which may be advantageous for moving the hinge systeml along a comer bend for example.

The hinge system 1 further comprises an upper hinge 10 movably arranged on the upper guide rail 6 and a lower hinge 12 movably arranged on the lower guide rail 8. This allows to have one or two doors 18 which are in hingeable engagement with the upper hinge 10 and the lower hinge 12. In a group of embodiments, the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 may be in slidable or Tollable engagement with the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, respectively.

The upper hinge 10 and the lower hinge 12 comprise an upper actuator member 14 and a lower actuator member 16, respectively, wherein the upper actuator member 14 is connected to the lower actuator member 16 for synchronous movement of the upper hinge 10 and lower hinge 12 along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, respectively.

According to the invention, the connection between the upper and lower actuator member 14, 16 allows synchronous movement of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12. When pushing or pulling the one or two doors 18 in a direction parallel to the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 are essentially forced to move along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8 with substantially the same speed. As a result, the one or two doors 18 maintain a substantially vertical position, wherein a skew angle (a) between the one or two doors 18 and a vertical axis is minimized if not virtually eliminated. As the one or two doors 18 remain substantially upright during movement along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, various forces between the one or two doors and the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 are minimized, which is advantageous for e.g. fragile, transparent doors, e.g. glass doors.

In an embodiment, a central drive shaft 20 is connected between the upper actuator member 14 and the lower actuator member 16. The central drive shaft 20 allows the upper and lower actuator members 10, 12, and thus the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 to move in unison, i.e. to have a synchronous actuation through the drive shaft.

To achieve a compact arrangement, the central drive shaft 20 may extend along an edge of each of a door 18 attachable to the upper hinge 10 and the lower hinge 12. This embodiment also allows a relatively concealed setup and compact arrangement, whereby the central drive shaft 20 is out of view as much as possible, which is particularly desirable for a refrigerated display cabinets.

In a further compact embodiment, the central drive shaft 20 may have an axis of rotation parallel to a hinge axis of the upper hinge 10 and a hinge axis of the lower hinge 12. This embodiment also allows the central drive shaft 20 to be disposed parallel to a hinge axis in close proximity thereof, and facilitates a close and compact parallel engagement of the central drive shaft 20 with an edge of the one or two doors 18. If the door 18 is a double walled door with a frame at the outside perimeter of the door 18, the central drive shaft 20 could even be positioned inside the frame of the door 18, and could in an even further embodiment be implemented using a torsion bar, Bowden cable, or the like. The overall aesthetics of the hinge system 1 is further improved by these embodiments as well.

Referring to Figure 2, Figure 3 A and Figure 3B. Figure 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of a lower hinge 12 and Figure 3A and 3B show a three dimensional view of an embodiment of an upper and lower hinge 10, 12 according to the present invention.

In the embodiments shown, the upper actuator member 14 and the lower actuator member 16 each comprise an upper drive shaft member 15 and a lower drive shaft member 17, respectively, wherein the upper drive shaft member 15 is in cooperative engagement with an upper drive part of the upper guide rail 6 and the lower drive shaft member 17 is in cooperative engagement with a lower drive part 9 of the lower guide rail 8. Note that only the lower drive part 9 of the lower guide rail 8 is shown in Figure 2. The upper guide rail 6 also comprises an upper drive part but is not shown in the figures.

The cooperative engagement between the upper drive member 15 and the upper drive part, and the lower drive shaft member 17 and the lower drive part 9, may be envisaged as a meshing engagement or slip-free engagement such that the upper and lower drive shaft member 15, 17 move in synchronicity, such as rotational movement thereof, in response to a displacement of the one or two doors 18, i.e. the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8.

In an embodiment the upper drive shaft member 15 and the lower drive shaft member 17 may each comprise a friction wheel element in rolling engagement with a rolling surface of the upper or lower drive part 9, respectively. The friction wheel may be arranged in a slip-free engagement with the upper or lower drive part 9 of the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, respectively. In practice, the friction wheel will be firmly pushed against the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8 so that each displacement of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 along the guide rails 6, 8 causes the friction wheel to rotate.

In another embodiment, the upper drive shaft member 15 and the lower drive shaft member 17 may each comprise a pinion element 22 in meshing engagement with a rack part of the upper or lower drive part 9, respectively. In this embodiment the meshing engagement guarantees synchronous motion of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12, even with a relatively loose engagement of the pinion element with the rack part.

In yet another embodiment, each of the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8 may comprise a chain. That is, the upper drive shaft member 15 and the lower drive shaft member 17 may each comprise a pinion element in meshing engagement with a chain part of the upper or lower drive part 9, respectively for imposing synchronous movement between the upper and lower hinge 10, 12.

Finally, in yet another embodiment, the upper drive shaft member 15 and the lower drive shaft member 17 may each comprise a pulley element in cooperative engagement with a belt part of the upper or lower drive member, respectively. In this embodiment, the upper and lower drive part 9 of the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, may each comprise a belt, so that a belt part is in cooperative engagement with the pulley element for enforcing synchronous motion between the upper and lower hinge 10, 12. In some embodiment the pulley element may be in meshing engagement with a grooved belt for preventing pulley belt slip, which may cause asynchronous motion between the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 in certain situation.

Referring now to Figure 3A and 3B, in the embodiments shown the upper hinge 10 and the lower hinge 12 may each comprise a bracket member 24, 26 having one or two hinge parts 28, 29. Each of the one or two hinge parts 28, 29 is operable for attachment of a door 18. Further, the upper or lower actuator member 14, 16 of the upper or lower hinge 10, 12 may comprise an actuation axis of rotation parallel to an hinge axis of the one or two hinge parts 28, 29. Note that the one or two hinge parts are out of view in Figure 3 A.

As depicted in Figure 3B, the one or two hinge parts 28, 29 allow for a compact arrangement of the lower actuator member 16 of which the actuation axis of rotation is parallel to the hinge axis of the one or two hinge parts 28, 29. In an embodiment, this allows for a parallel arrangement of the one or two doors 18 and a central drive shaft 20 connected to the lower actuator member 16, wherein the drive shaft 20 is also connected to the upper actuator member 14.

In most embodiments according to the present invention, the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 will be identical, so Figure 3A and 3B show identical embodiments but in different orientations, wherein Figure 3 A may depict the upper hinge 10 and Figure 3B may depict the lower hinge 12.

According to the invention, the one or two doors 18 are moveably arranged on the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8. For stabilisation purposes of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 with respect to the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, respectively, each bracket member 24, 26, of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12, may further comprise a first 30, 31 and a second 32 guide rail support roller in rolling engagement with the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8, wherein the first guide rail support roller 30, 31 has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second guide rail support roller 32. Once again, note that the second guide rail support roller is out of view in Figure 3B and has not been numbered as such.

According to the above embodiment, the first 30, 31 and second 32 guide rail support rollers provide transverse or lateral stabilization of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 with respect to the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8. Further, the first 30, 31 and second 32 guide rail support roller also allow the upper or lower hinge 10, 12 to accurate follow the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8 while moving there along.

In a further embodiment, the upper actuator member 14 and the lower actuator member 16 each comprise a third guide rail support roller 33 in rolling engagement with the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8. The third guide rail support roller 33 may provide further lateral stabilization with respect to the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8. In the embodiment of Figure 3 A, the third guide rail support roller 33 may be disposed opposite the first guide rail support roller 30 with respect to the upper or lower guide rail 6. The same applies to the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, although the third guide rail supper roller is not shown.

Referring back to Figure 2, in the depicted embodiment the lower hinge 12 is arranged on the lower guide rail 8. The lower hinge 12 comprises the hinge bracket 24 and the lower drive shaft member 17 of the lower actuator member 16 journalled for rotation therein. The first guide rail support roller 31 comprises an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second guide rail support roller 32. Further, a third guide rail support roller 33 is provided opposite the first guide rail support roller 31, thereby providing further lateral support of the lower hinge 12 along the lower guide rail 8. The depicted lower hinge 12 further comprises a pinion element 22 in meshing engagement with the rack part 9 of the lower guider rail 8, so that a displacement of the lower hinge 12 along the lower guide rail 8 translates to a displacement of the upper hinge 10 (not shown) through the lower actuation member 16, i.e. the lower drive shaft member 17 thereof.

According to the present invention, the one or two doors 18 are hingeably arranged on the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 between a closed and an opened position. In most applications a refrigerated display cabinet will typically comprise a plurality of the one or two doors 18, and thus comprise a plurality of pairs of upper and lower hinges 10, 12 arranged on the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, respectively. In case a plurality of the one or two doors 18 are in a close position, a plurality of lower hinges 12 on the lower guide rail 8 and a plurality of upper hinges 10 on the upper guide rail 6 should provided sufficient space between them to allow all doors of the display cabinet 1 to close neatly and form a substantially contiguous front cover for the refrigerated display cabinet 1. Furthermore, when the one or two doors 18 are positioned at an appropriate position along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 should be immobilized to prevent movement thereof. For example, when a customer opens one of the one or two doors 18 to grab an article from the display cabinet 1, the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8 should remain stationary.

According to an embodiment the invention, to immobilize the one or two doors 18 with respect to the frame 4 of the display cabinet 1, in particular the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, the hinge system 1 may further comprises a lower hinge arrest 13 or upper hinge arrest disposed along the lower or upper guide rail 6, 8, respectively. The lower or upper hinge arrest 13 thus releasably secures the lower or upper hinge 10, 12 to the lower or upper guide rail 6, 8.

In Figure 2, the depicted embodiment comprises a lower hinge arrest 13, wherein the lower hinge arrest 13 is arranged to immobilize the lower hinge 12 with respect to the lower guide rail 8. Since the upper actuator member 14 is connected to the lower actuator member 16 for synchronous movement of the upper hinge 10 and lower hinge 1 along the upper and lower guide rail 6,8, immobilizing the lower hinge 12 through the lower hinge arrest 13 immobilizes the upper hinge 10 with respect to the upper guide rail 6. Of course, this also applies when the hinge system 1 only comprises an upper hinge arrest. In alternative embodiments it is also possible to provide the hinge system 1 with both a lower hinge arrest 13 as well as an upper hinge arrest. Note that the upper hinge arrest is not shown in the figures but can be envisaged as being identical to the lower hinge arrest 13 but differs in actual orientation with respect to the frame 4 of the display cabinet 1.

In an embodiment, the upper hinge arrest or lower hinge arrest 13 is disposed on an upper or lower guide rail cover 7, respectively, the upper or lower 7 guide rail cover being pivotally arranged on the frame 4 between a hinge securing position and hinge releasing position. This embodiment is advantageous as it combines two functions, wherein the first function is the immobilization of the lower or upper hinge 10, 12 with respect to the upper of lower guide rail 10, 12, and wherein the second function is to provide a protective cover around the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8 as well as the upper or lower hinge 10, 12. By pivoting the upper or lower 7 guide rail cover to a hinge releasing position, the upper or lower hinge 10,12 are movable and access is provided to the upper of lower guide rail 6, 8. Conversely, by pivoting the upper or lower 7 guide rail cover to a hinge securing position, the upper or lower hinge 10, 12 is immobilized and a protective cover is provided to the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8.

As mentioned earlier, in many application a plurality of pairs of the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 are provided for a refrigerated display cabinet 1. To enable the one or two doors 18 or a plurality thereof to neatly close off the display cabinet 1 along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8, the upper and lower hinge 10, 12 and pairs thereof need to be properly positioned along the upper and lower guide rail 6, 8.

To that end, in an embodiment an upper pitch distance pdu or lower pitch pdi between two or more upper or lower hinge arrests disposed along the upper or lower guide rail 6, 8 substantially equals a width of the one of the one or two doors 18. In this embodiment, the upper or lower pitch distance (pdu, dpi) guarantees that the one or two doors 18 and a plurality thereof are evenly distributed and immobilized along the frame 4 of the display cabinet 1, wherein one or more gaps between adjacent closed doors are of equal width.

Referring now to Figure 4 and 5, in Figure 4 a cross section is depicted of an embodiment of a hydraulic motion damper, and in Figure 5 an exploded view is depicted of an embodiment of an upper or lower hinge according to the present invention.

As depicted, the upper or lower hinge 10, 12 may further comprise a hydraulic motion damper 36 (connectable to one of the one or two hingeable doors 18). The hydraulic motion damper 36 comprises a first 38 and a second 40 (e.g. cylindrical) chamber and an interconnecting fluid duct 42 disposed there between. The first chamber 38 comprises a first piston element 39 in cooperative engagement with a rotatable hinge pin 44 (the hinge pin 44 being coupled to one of the one or two doors 18). The second cylindrical chamber 40 comprises a second piston element 41. The fluid duct 42 comprises a dampening member 43 having an adjustable fluid restriction element with different restriction values for each fluid flow direction in the fluid duct 42. E.g. the fluid duct diameter is enlargeable for a first rotation direction of the hinge pin 44 and constricted for a second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44.

In further embodiments, the cross sectional surface area of the first chamber 38 and second chamber 40 may differ (e.g. in a ratio of 50%), to obtain dimensions of the first and second chamber 38,30 which can be integrated in a hinge arrangement. Selecting the proper dimensions of all the components of the hydraulic motion damper 36 will provide a linear closing force of the door over the entire turning range (e.g. from 0 to 90 degrees). Note that in a further embodiment (see below), the hinge may be arranged to turn over more than 90 degrees, e.g. 135 degrees, wherein in the range from 90-135 degrees, no closing force is exerted, i.e. the door 18 will then remain in the same position.

It is noted that this hydraulic motion damper may be used in the present invention embodiments of the hinge system, however, the hydraulic motion damper embodiments may also be utilized in other hinge systems.

The hydraulic motion damper 36 of the present invention provides hinge dampening of a door that is hingeably arranged on the upper and lower hinge 10, 12, wherein the dampening member 43 comprises an adjustable fluid duct diameter providing variable flow resistance, through the fluid duct 42. More particularly, less resistance to rotation is provided to the hinge pin 44 by the dampening member 43 when the door is being opened, i.e. the first rotation direction, whereas more resistance to rotation is provided to the hinge pin 44 by the dampening member 43 when the door is being closed, i.e. the second rotation direction.

So according to the present invention, a door in hingeable engagement with the upper or lower hinge 10, 12 and coupled to the hydraulic motion damper 36 may be opened with relatively low resistance, which is comfortable from a user perspective, whereas the door is prevented from slamming shut once opened, thus preventing damage to the door, which may be an issue for a fragile door, such as a glass door. Providing dampening of the second rotation direction may also be desirable for preventing possible user injury, thus when the door closes. Furthermore, in case of a door slamming, a pressure wave may occur which would force out cold air form a cabinet (especially if another door in the same cabinet is also (partially) opened). This would result in energy loss of the cabinet, which is prevented using the present invention embodiments.

The first piston element 39 is reciprocally arranged for forcing hydraulic fluid through the fluid duct 42 and dampening member 43 for the first rotation direction of the hinge pin 44. In the first rotation direction the dampening member 43 comprises an enlarged fluid duct diameter to reduce fluid flow resistance from the first cylindrical chamber 38 through the fluid duct 42 to the second cylindrical chamber 40. The second piston element 41 is reciprocally arranged for receiving the hydraulic fluid in the second cylindrical chamber 40. In the second rotation direction the dampening member 43 comprises a reduced fluid duct diameter to increase fluid flow resistance from the second cylindrical chamber 40 through the fluid ducts 42 to the first cylindrical chamber 38. Therefore, in the first rotation direction the hinge pin 44 imposes relatively low resistance to rotation, whereas in the second rotation direction the hinge pin 44 imposes relatively high resistance to rotation for a door connected thereto.

This may be implemented using a parallel connection of a controlled restriction flow element 61 and a one-way valve 60, see the hydraulic schematic diagram of Figure 7 showing an embodiment of the dampening member 43 which can be applied in a general sense.

In an embodiment, the dampening member 43 may comprise an adjustable needle valve, the needle valve being arranged for adjusting the fluid duct diameter for the first and second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44. In a further embodiment the dampening member 43 may also comprise a check valve of for further adjusting the fluid duct diameter for the first and second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44.

In an embodiment, the hinge pin 44 comprises a pinion element 45 in meshing engagement with a rack part 46 of the first piston element 39, allowing reciprocal displacement of the first piston element 38 for the first and second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44. Of course, other embodiment are conceivable wherein the hinge pin 44 comprises e.g. a friction wheel in rolling engagement with a rolling surface of the fist piston element 39.

According to the invention, the second piston element 41 is reciprocally disposed for receiving hydraulic fluid in the second cylindrical chamber 40 in the first rotation direction of the hinge pin 44. In addition to dampening the second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44 through the dampening member 43, a door connected to the hinge pin 44 may also be arranged to allow automatic closure of the door over a predetermined rotation or hinging angle of the hinge pin 44.To that end, in an embodiment the second piston element 41 is connected to a spring element 47, which is typically a compressible spring element 47. In the first rotation direction the second piston element 41 allows the second cylindrical chamber 40 to increase in volume when hydraulic fluid is received therein. The resulting displacement of the second piston element 41 therefore biases the spring element 47 in the second rotation direction. Potential energy stored in the spring element 47 may subsequently be released for linear displacement of the second piston element 41 and thus by hydraulic fluid transfer linear displacement the first piston element 39 and rotational displacement of the hinge pin 44.

From the above is readily inferred that the dampening member 43 and second spring element 47 may be tuned for determining the resistance to rotation of the hinge pin 44 in the first rotation direction, and to determine the resistance to rotation and speed of rotation of the hinge pin 44 in the second rotation direction.

According to the invention, the second rotation direction of the hinge pin 44 may provide varying dampening for a door, i.e. a varying resistance to rotation of the hinge pin 44 in the second rotation direction. This may be achieved in an embodiment wherein the hydraulic motion damper 36 further comprises a third cylindrical chamber 48 positioned opposite the first chamber and comprising a further end of the first piston element 39. In this embodiment the reciprocally disposed first piston element 39 faces both the first and third cylindrical chamber 38, 48 on opposite ends thereof. As a result, an increase in volume of the first cylindrical chamber 38 causes a reduction in volume of the third cylindrical chamber 48.

In an embodiment, the third cylindrical chamber 48 may comprise a gas, such air, whereby the resistance to rotation of the hinge pin 44 is further increased over a final rotation angle just before a door completely closes. That is, the first piston element 39 and third cylindrical chamber 48 provide a dampened end stop arrangement, wherein the dampened end stop arrangement imposes an exponentially increasing resistance to rotation of the hinge pin 44 over the final rotation angle in the second rotation direction.

The first piston element 39 can have an alternative arrangement, which is especially suited for further refining and enhancing the present invention hinge arrangement. Figure 6a shows a three dimensional view of that piston element 39 and Figure 6b shows an exploded view of the first piston element 39 of Fig. 6a showing all components, including internal components.

Similar to the first piston element 39 (which in operation is positioned inside the first chamber 38) described with reference to the embodiments shown in Figure 4 and 5, the first piston element 39 is provided with the rack part 46 for co-operation with the pinion element 45. Also, one end of this first part of the first piston element 39 is provided with a groove 50 for holding a first sealing element 51 in the form of an O-ring. At the other end of the first piston element 39, on a second part, a set of sealing elements 54, 59 (O-rings) are present which provide a sealing function at this other end. The first part of the first piston element 39 having the rack part 46 is e.g. made of hardened or toughened steel (e.g. 42CrMoS4 IM), while the second part may be provided as a secondary part 57 made of aluminum.

In the exploded view of Figure 6b, the further elements of this embodiment of the first piston element 39 are clearly shown. The secondary part 57 is provided as an end cap of the piston element 39, e.g. using a screw connection to the steel part comprising the rack part 46. At the intersection, a rim is formed wherein a second sealing element 54 can be positioned. The secondary part 57 is also provided with groove 58 for holding a third sealing element 59. The second and third sealing element forming the set of sealing elements 54, 59 may be implemented as O-rings.

At the inside of the secondary part 57 an internal cavity is formed, wherein a one way valve 64 (see Figure 7) is positioned comprising a ball 56 and spring 55 in the embodiment shown. The ball 56 abuts a matching seat with an opening in the secondary part 57, and with the spring 55 provides a one-way valve functionality. Furthermore, a passageway 52 is provided in the first part, allowing hydraulic fluid to seep from the surface of the secondary part 57 between the two sealing elements 54, 59 to and from the internal cavity.

The dimensions and positions of the components of the first piston element 39 are aligned with the fluid duct 42 (and the dampening member 43 (needle valve)) between the first and second chamber 38, 40 (see description of Figure 4 and 5 above).

In Figure 7, a schematic diagram is shown of the hydraulic fluid flow between the first and second chamber 38, 40 for this specific embodiment. This may be implemented using the structural features of the embodiment shown in and described with reference to Figure 6a and 6b.

More specifically the fluid ducts 42 align with the space between the two sealing elements 54, 59 when the associated door is opened beyond the 90 degree position.

This creates an additional hydraulic switching functionality. This is indicated by a hydraulic switch 62, providing an unrestricted passageway 63 in case the door is between 0 and 90 degrees open, and a further passageway provided with a one-way valve 64 in case the door 18 is opened beyond 90 degrees. The hydraulic switch 62, passageway 63 and one-way valve 64 are thus part of the dampening member 36. As the door is moved beyond the 90 degree position, the fluid duct 42 aligns with the space between the two sealing elements 54, 59. Moving the door beyond the 90 degree position will increase the pressure in the first chamber 38, and through the one-way valve 64 (opening in that direction) to the internal cavity. From there the hydraulic fluid then can only run via the passageway 52 via the fluid duct 42 and the dampening member 43 to the second chamber 40. If then movement of the door is stopped, it remains in that position, as the one-way valve 64 effectively stops motion of the hydraulic fluid in the other direction. This can be effectuated in a door position range between e.g. 90 and 140 degrees, allowing easy filling of the associated cabinet. If the door is then moved back again towards the 90 degree position, a lower pressure will (temporarily) occur in the first chamber 38, which will be evened out with the second chamber 40 once the front sealing element 54 again passes the fluid duct 42.

Thus, in general terms, a hinge system is provided in a further embodiment wherein the first piston element 39 comprises a one-way valve 64 for providing an additional one-way communication path between the first chamber 38 and the fluid duct 42. This results in no back pressure in a predetermined range of door openings, e.g. between 90-140 degrees.

With respect to the sealing elements as discussed with respect to the embodiments as discussed above, it is noted that special arrangements can be made to further enhance the operating characteristics. E.g. the sealing element 51 maybe implemented using an over stretched O-ring. In the extreme position of the hinge system of one of the present invention embodiments, the hinge can then have an additional dampening feel in the extreme ranges of the door opening (e.g. last 5-7 degrees).

Furthermore, it is noted that in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 and 5, the first and second chamber 38, 40 of the dampening member 43 are positioned above each other. These first and second chamber 38, 40 may also be positioned next to each other (allowing a lower height of the hinge system), or may be positioned next to each other in a length wise direction (allowing also a smaller width dimension of the hinge system).

The present invention can now be summarized by the following embodiments: Embodiment 1. Hinge system for a door, such as a door for a refrigerated display cabinet, comprising a frame (4) provided with an upper guide rail (6) and a lower guide rail (8), an upper hinge (10) movably arranged on the upper guide rail (6) and a lower hinge (12) movably arranged on the lower guide rail (8), wherein the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12) comprise an upper actuator member (14) and a lower actuator member (16), respectively, wherein the upper actuator member (14) is connected to the lower actuator member (16) for synchronous movement of the upper hinge (10) and lower hinge (12) along the upper and lower guide rail (6, 8), respectively.

Embodiment 2. Hinge system according to embodiment 1, wherein a central drive shaft (20) is connected between the upper actuator member (14) and the lower actuator member (16).

Embodiment 3. Hinge system according to embodiment 2, wherein the central drive shaft (20) extends along an edge of a door (18) attachable to the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12).

Embodiment 4. Hinge system according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the central drive shaft (20) has an axis of rotation parallel to a hinge axis of the upper hinge (10) and a hinge axis of the lower hinge (12).

Embodiment 5. Hinge system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the upper actuator member (14) and the lower actuator member (16) each comprise an upper drive shaft member (15) and a lower drive shaft member (17), respectively, wherein the upper drive shaft member (15) is in cooperative engagement with an upper drive part of the upper guide rail (6) and the lower drive shaft member (17) is in cooperative engagement with a lower drive part (9) of the lower guide rail. Embodiment 6. Hinge system according to embodiment 5, wherein the upper drive shaft member (15) and the lower drive shaft member (17) each comprise one of a friction wheel element in rolling engagement with a rolling surface of the upper or lower drive part (9), respectively, and a pinion element (22) in meshing engagement with a rack part of the upper or lower drive part (9), respectively, and a pinion element in meshing engagement with a chain part of the upper or lower drive part (9), respectively, and a pulley element in cooperative engagement with a belt part of the upper or lower drive part (9), respectively.

Embodiment 7. Hinge system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12) each comprise a bracket member (24, 26) having one or two hinge parts (28, 29), wherein each of the one or two hinge parts (28, 29) is operable for attachment of a door (18), and wherein the upper or lower actuator member (14, 16) of the upper or lower hinge (10, 12) comprises an actuation axis of rotation parallel to an hinge axis of the one or two hinge parts (28, 29).

Embodiment 8. Hinge system according to embodiment 7, wherein the bracket member (24, 26) further comprises a first and a second guide rail support roller (30-32) in rolling engagement with the upper or lower guide rail (6, 8), the first guide rail support roller (30, 31) having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second guide rail support roller (32).

Embodiment 9. Hinge system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the upper actuator member (14) and the lower actuator member (16) each comprise a third guide rail support roller (33) in rolling engagement with the upper or lower guide rail (6, 8).

Embodiment 10. Hinge system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the upper hinge or lower hinge (10, 12) comprises a hydraulic motion damper (36), the hydraulic motion damper (36) comprising a first and second chamber (38, 40) and an interconnecting fluid duct (42) disposed there between, wherein the first chamber (38) comprises a first piston element (39) in cooperative engagement with a rotatable hinge pin (44), and wherein the second chamber (40) comprises a second piston element (41); and wherein the fluid duct (42) comprises a dampening member (43) having an adjustable fluid restriction element with different restriction values for each fluid flow direction in the fluid duct (42).

Embodiment 11. Hinge system according to embodiment 10, wherein the second piston element (41) is connected to a spring element (47).

Embodiment 12. Hinge system according to embodiment 10 or 11, further comprising a third chamber (48) positioned opposite the first chamber (38), which third chamber (48) comprises a further end of the first piston element (39).

Embodiment 13. Hinge system according to embodiment 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first piston element (39) comprises a one-way valve (64). for providing an additional oneway communication path between the first chamber (38)_and the fluid duct (42). Embodiment 14. Hinge system according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the hinge system further comprises a lower hinge arrest (13) or upper hinge arrest disposed along the lower or upper guide rail (6, 8), respectively.

Embodiment 15. Hinge system according to embodiment 14, wherein the upper hinge arrest or lower hinge arrest (13) is disposed on an upper or lower guide rail cover (7), respectively, the upper and lower guide rail cover (7) being pivotally arranged on the frame (4) between a hinge securing position and hinge releasing position.

Embodiment 16. Hinge system according to embodiment 14 or 15, wherein an upper pitch distance pdu or lower pitch pdi between two or more upper or lower hinge arrests (13) disposed along the upper or lower guide rail (6, 8) substantially equals a width of a door (18) attachable to the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12).It will be clear that the above description has been given in order to illustrate the functioning of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not in order to limit the scope of the invention. On the basis of the above explanation, many variations which fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

A hinge system for a door, for example a door for a cooled display cabinet, comprising a frame (4) provided with an upper guide rail (6) and a lower guide rail (8), an upper hinge (10) movably mounted on the upper guide rail (6) and a lower hinge (12) movably mounted on the lower guide rail (8), the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12) having an upper drive element (14) and a lower drive element (16), respectively and wherein, the upper drive element (14) is connected to the lower drive element (16) for synchronous movement along the upper, respectively, the lower conductor path (6, 7).

A hinge system according to claim 1, wherein a central drive shaft (20) is connected between the upper drive element (14) and the lower drive element (16).

A hinge system according to claim 2, wherein the central drive shaft (20) extends along an edge of a door (18) that is attachable to the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12).

A hinge system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the central drive shaft (20) comprises a rotation axis that is parallel to both a hinge axis of the upper hinge (10) and a hinge axis of the lower hinge (12).

A hinge system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper drive element (14) and the lower drive element (16) each comprise an upper drive shaft (15) and a lower drive shaft (17), wherein the upper drive shaft ( 15) is in cooperative engagement with an upper drive member of the upper guide rail (6) and the lower drive shaft (17) is in cooperative engagement with a lower drive member (9) of the lower guide rail.

A hinge system according to claim 5, wherein the upper drive shaft (15) and the lower drive shaft (17) each comprise a friction wheel element that is in rolling engagement with a rolling surface of the upper and lower drive part (9), respectively, and a gear element (22) ) which are engaged with a toothed portion of the upper and lower drive part (9), and comprise a gear element that is engaged with a chain part of the upper and lower drive part (9) respectively and a pulley element which cooperative engagement with a belt part of the upper and lower drive part (9), respectively.

A hinge system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper hinge (10) and the lower hinge (12) each comprise a bracket part (24, 26) with one or two hinge parts (28, 29), each of the one or two hinge parts (28, 29) is operable to attach a door (18), and wherein the upper or lower drive element (14, 16) of the upper or lower hinge (10, 12) is a drive shaft for rotation that is parallel to a hinge axis of the one or two hinge members (28, 29).

The hinge system of claim 7, wherein the bracket member (24, 26) further comprises a first and a second guide rail support roller (30-32) which is in rolling engagement with the upper and lower guide rails (6, 8), the first guide rail supporting roller ( 30, 31) includes a rotation axis disposed substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second guide rail support roller (32).

A hinge system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the upper drive element (14) and the lower drive element (16) each comprise a third guide rail support roller (33) that is in rolling engagement with the lower and upper guide rails (6,8) ).

A hinge system according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the upper hinge or lower hinge (10, 12) comprises a hydraulic movement damper (36), wherein the hydraulic movement damper (36) comprises a first and a second chamber (38, 40 ) and a connecting fluid conduit (42) disposed between them, wherein the first chamber (38) comprises a first piston element (39) cooperatively engaged with a rotary hinge pin (44), and wherein the second chamber (40) has a second piston element (41); and wherein the fluid line (42) comprises a damping member (43) that has an adjustable restriction element with different restriction values for each fluid flow direction in the fluid line (42).

A hinge system according to claim 10, wherein the second piston element (41) is connected to a spring element (47).

A hinge system according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a third chamber (48) positioned opposite the first chamber (38), said third chamber (48) comprising a further end of the first piston element (39).

A hinge system according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first piston element (39) comprises a one-way valve (64) for providing an additional one-way communication channel between the first chamber (38) and the fluid line (42).

The hinge system according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the hinge system further comprises a lower hinge stop (13) or an upper hinge stop that is arranged along the lower or, respectively, the upper guide rail (6, 8).

A hinge system according to claim 14, wherein the upper or lower hinge stop (13) is mounted on an upper or, respectively, a lower guide rail cover (7), the upper or lower guide rail cover (4) being hinged on the frame (4) between a hinged locking position or a hinged release position.

A hinge system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein an upper pitch distance pdu or a lower pitch distance pdi between two or more upper or lower hinge stops (13) arranged along the upper or lower guide rail (6, 8) is substantially the same with a width of a door (18) attachable to an upper hinge (10) and a lower hinge (12).