CN110114545B

CN110114545B - Hinge device for door of cabinet appliance

Info

Publication number: CN110114545B
Application number: CN201780077695.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 艾罗司·葛拉迪
Original assignee: CMI Cerniere Meccaniche Industriali SRL
Current assignee: C.M.I.铰链机械工业有限公司; CMI Cerniere Meccaniche Industriali SRL
Priority date: 2016-12-16
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2021-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-14
Also published as: CN110114545A; EP3555398B1; IT201600127767A1; EP3555398A1; WO2018109130A1

Abstract

The present application provides a hinge device for a door (D) of a cabinet appliance (a) having, in an operating condition, a respective opening lying on a horizontal geometrical plane and the respective door (D) rotating about a horizontal axis between a closed condition and an open condition. The device comprises a transmission means (11) having an end connected to the second member (5) by a first connecting pivot means (13), the first connecting pivot means (13) being fixed to the second member (5) parallel to and spaced from the hinge pin (7), and the other end of the transmission means (11) having a second connecting pivot means (15). The device (1) further comprises elastic means (14), the elastic means (14) being intended to apply an elastic force to the transmission means (11) acting at least partially in the operating direction and towards the open state (O).

Description

Hinge device for door of cabinet appliance

Technical Field

The present application is in the field of hinges and relates to a hinge device for doors of cabinet appliances, such as refrigerator boxes and furniture.

Background

Known refrigerated cabinets are equipped with a heavy upper hatch or door, which is fixed to the upper edge of the body of the cabinet by means of a set of hinges, rotating said hatch or door between a closed condition and an open condition (hereinafter referred to simply as "door" for the sake of simplicity). In the closed state, the door is horizontal and closes the opening of the freezer body, and in the open state, the door is rotated upward about the horizontal axis of the hinge and tilted or aligned in a vertical or sub-vertical plane. Some of these known hinges are equipped with springs for balancing the weight of the door.

One of the drawbacks of some of these known hinges is that they are very complex and expensive.

Another drawback of some of these known hinges is that they provide insufficient weight balancing force, thus causing excessive difficulty in opening the door.

Another drawback of said known hinges is that they only balance the weight of the door as much as possible, but in the case of excessive speeds, in particular in the last part, towards closing, their travel (stroke) cannot be controlled, and if the user pushes the door too strongly, the closing of the door may become aggressive and dangerous for the freezer and the people nearby.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present application to provide a hinge device for doors of cabinet appliances, such as refrigerator cases, carrying cases and furniture items and devices etc., which is cost effective and reliable.

Another object of the present application is to provide a device capable of providing a spring force, even a very high spring force, to balance the weight of the door.

It is another object of the present application to provide a device capable of providing an action that reduces and suppresses an excessive rotation speed of a door.

Another object of the present application is to provide a device which is also suitable for very heavy doors and/or doors with very high hinge arms.

Drawings

The characteristic points of the present application will be highlighted in the figures with specific reference signs, in which; :

fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a hinge device for a door of a cabinet appliance, the subject matter of the present application relating to a freezer cabinet (only partially shown) in a closed state;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show isometric enlarged views of the device of FIG. 1 in the closed and open-most conditions, respectively;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged rear view of the device of FIG. 1 in the closed state;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged rear view of the device of FIG. 1 in the most open state;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section along the plane IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 8;

fig. 11 and 12 show enlarged partial views of the details of fig. 6 and 9, respectively.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 to 12, reference numeral 1 denotes a hinge device of a main body for a door of a cabinet appliance of the present application.

One or preferably two or more coaxial models of such hinge means are assigned to hinge the door D to the respective refrigerated cabinet or furniture item, the respective opening of which can be closed and opened by the door D and which in the operating state lies in a horizontal geometric plane.

For the sake of brevity, the terms "appliance" and "freezer" and the like are used hereinafter to refer to a box freezer or any other storage appliance or item of furniture with doors hinged similar to the doors of the box freezer.

The door D rotates about a common horizontal axis defined by the hinge means between a closed condition C, in which the door D is horizontal and closes the opening, possibly by means of sealing, and an open-most condition O, in which the door is inclined compared to the opening, thus allowing the cabinet-type freezer to access the items.

The device 1 comprises a first member 3 and a second member 5, the first member 3 being assigned to be fixed to the vertical faces and the sides of the freezer body a, the second member 5 being assigned to be fixed to the door D, for example but not limited thereto, to the edge thereof. Preferably, each first member 3 and second member 5 is constituted by a respective metal body or section bar having a "C" shaped cross section.

Alternatively, fasteners for

such members

3, 5 are also provided, which may be interchanged. The first and

second members

3, 5 are mutually hinged by means of a horizontal hinge pin 7-for example, the horizontal hinge pin 7 is made of steel and is cylindrical, riveted at both ends, or mushroom-shaped, with an elongated cylindrical shaft and with one end fastened-allowing them to rotate with respect to each other and defining the rotation axis of the door. In the case of doors hinged by means of multiple models of device 1, the hinge pins 7 are all aligned with the rotation axis of the door.

Each device 1 also comprises a transmission device 11 that is elongated in shape, that is, preferably made up of a metal body or profile having a "C" -shaped cross section and having a major longitudinal dimension, and which is sufficiently rigid and tough.

Preferably and as shown, the transmission means 11 is located at least partially within the second member 5, the second member 5 being located at least partially within the first member 3.

The transmission means 11 have an end connected to the second member 5 by first connecting pivot means 13, the first connecting pivot means 13 being fixed to the second member 5 and being parallel and spaced from the hinge pin 7.

The first link pivot means 13 comprises a transverse pivot or, preferably and as shown, a pair of transverse pins having a common transverse axis. Such transverse pins may be, for example, steel and cylindrical, riveted at both ends, or riveted end with a mushroom shape.

The outer ends of the first connecting pivot means 13 project laterally to the outside from the second member 5 and slide in respective grooves 19 obtained in the sides of the first member 3, and each first connecting pivot means 13 has an outer end in the shape of a circular arc, the centre of which is aligned with the axis of the hinge pin 7. Such outer end of the first connector pivot means 13 may match the end of the corresponding slot 19 in the closed and most open condition.

The end of the transmission means 11 opposite to the first connection pivot means 13 must approach and leave the hinge pin 7 in a sliding manner in the operating direction; for example, as shown, such an operative direction is parallel to the longitudinal length of the first member 3 or inclined along a directrix perpendicular to the hinge pin 7 and intersects the hinge pin 7 or passes near the hinge pin 7. The device 1 further comprises elastic means 14, the elastic means 14 being adapted to apply an elastic force to the transmission means 11, the elastic force acting at least partly in the operating direction and towards the open state O.

The coupling of sliding in the operating direction of the end of the transmission means 11 opposite to the first connection pivot means 13 can be achieved, for example, by means of sliding blocks and guide means parallel to this direction and obtained or fixed to the first member 3 and to the transmission means 11, respectively, and vice versa; preferably, the end of the transmission means 11 opposite to the first connection pivot means 13 has second connection pivot means 15, the end of which is constrained to slide along a respective slotted member 17, the slotted member 17 being parallel to the operating direction and being obtained in a respective side wall of the first member 3.

The second connecting pivot means 15 may be made of, for example, steel, it is cylindrical, riveted at both ends, or it is mushroom-shaped, having an elongated cylindrical shaft and with a riveted end.

In the operating condition, the channel member 17 and the first member 3, which has an elongated shape in the operating direction, are vertical or almost vertical, while the hinge pin 7, the first connection pivot means 13 and the second connection pivot means 15 are parallel and horizontal or almost parallel and/or horizontal.

The elastic means 14 comprise at least one helical spring, for example made of harmonic steel, which is in the extended condition and has an end hooked on the hinge pin 7, and the other end is hooked directly or indirectly on the second connection pivot means 15.

Alternatively, the present application provides that the elastic means 14 comprise a helical spring in compression, the ends of which are connected to the hinge pin 7 and to the second connecting pivot means 15 by respective opposite spring guides or tie rods.

The device 1 comprises sliding friction means 21, the sliding friction means 21 being constituted by a shoe-shaped body, a slider or a lining with lining, or a slider made of friction material or comprising a block of friction material, for example, and being connected directly or indirectly to the transmission means 11 and being distributed in the channels of the device to slide frictionally on the first member 3 from the closed condition C to the open condition O and vice versa, at least between those channels, to brake and balance the door D. In a variant, not shown, the sliding friction means 21 can be fixed to the transmission means 11 by means of elastic pads or spring assemblies which push them towards the first component 3, and the helical springs of the elastic means 14 are in an extended condition and their ends are fixed directly to the second connecting pivot means 15 with respect to the hinge pin 7 by exerting an elastic force on the hinge pin 7 and the second connecting pivot means 15 which causes them to approach each other.

Preferably and as shown, the sliding friction means 21 are fixed to one end of rocker means 25 by respective fixed pivots 23, the rocker means 25 being centrally engaged in a free-rotating manner to the second connecting pivot means 15 or other component integral with the transmission means 11. The end of the rocker means 25 opposite to the sliding friction means 21 is fixed to the corresponding end of the helical spring of the elastic means 14.

Preferably, the ends of the helical spring of the elastic means 14 are equipped with hooks or pegs (not shown in the figures) to fix them respectively to the hinge pin 7 and to the grooves obtained in the ends of the rocker means 25 opposite to the sliding friction means 21.

The fixed pivot 23 allows the body of the sliding friction device 21 to rotate so that the friction surface of the sliding friction device 21 is always adhered to the surface of the middle longitudinal portion of the first member 3. The rocker means 25 serve two purposes-connecting the helical spring of the elastic means 14 to the second connecting pivot means 15 and converting and transmitting the elastic force of such spring to the sliding friction means 21 to push the sliding friction means 21 to match them with the intermediate longitudinal portion of the first member 3.

Preferably, the end of the helical spring 14 fixed to the hinge pin 7 is distanced from the median longitudinal portion of the first member 3 by a greater distance than the other end of said helical spring 14 and/or the rocker means 25 are in the shape of an arc or open "V" with the concavity directed towards said median longitudinal portion of the first member 3. The ratio between said distance and the shape of the rocker means 25 allows the spring to transmit to the rocker means 25 a torque which conveniently pushes the sliding friction means 21 against the surface of the intermediate longitudinal portion of the first member 3; the degree to which the torque is applied to the sliding friction means 21 can be adjusted by the ratio between the lever arms of the dimensional rocker means 25.

Claims

1. Hinge device for a door (D) of a cabinet appliance (a), which in operating conditions, the respective opening lies on a horizontal geometrical plane and the respective door (D) rotates about a horizontal axis between a closed condition, in which it is horizontal and closes said opening, and an open condition, in which it is inclined compared to the opening, so that the appliance (a) can access the item; the device (1) comprising a first member (3) assigned to be fixed to the body of the appliance (A) and a second member (5) assigned to be fixed to the door (D) of the appliance (A) and hinged to the first member (3) by means of a horizontal hinge pin (7), the device (1) comprising a transmission means (11), one end of the transmission means (11) being connected to the second member (5) by means of a first connecting pivot means (13), the first connecting pivot means (13) being fixed to the second member (5) and the first connecting pivot means (13) being parallel to the hinge pin (7) and spaced apart from the hinge pin (7); the other end of the transmission means (11) has second connection pivot means (15), which slides along a respective channel member (17), said channel member (17) being parallel to an operating direction towards or away from said hinge pin (7), said groove members (17) being obtained in respective side walls of the first member (3), said device (1) further comprising elastic means (14), the elastic means (14) being intended to exert an elastic force to the transmission means (11) at least partly in the operating direction and towards the open state (O), said elastic means (14) comprising at least one helical spring, said means being characterized in that, said at least one helical spring being in an extended condition and having one end hooked to said hinge pin (7), the other end of said at least one helical spring hooks directly or indirectly to said second connection pivot means (15).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first member (3) has a shape elongated in the operating direction and in the operating condition the first member and the channel member are vertical or almost vertical, the hinge pin (7), the first connection pivot means (13) and the second connection pivot means (15) are horizontal or almost horizontal.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said first member (3), said second member (5) and said transmission means (11) is constituted by a metal body or profile having a transversal C-shaped cross-section, and in that said transmission means (11) is at least partially located inside said second member (5), said second member (5) being partially located inside said first member (3).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said first connection pivot means (13) comprise a transverse pivot or a pair of lateral pivots having a common transverse axis, and in that the outer end of said first connection pivot means (13) projects transversely from said second member (5) and slides in a respective slot (19) obtained in a lateral portion of said first member (3), and in that the outer end of each first connection pivot means (13) is in the shape of a circular arc, the centre of which is aligned with the axis of said hinge pin (7).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises sliding friction means (21), said sliding friction means (21) being directly or indirectly connected to said transmission means (11) and being assigned to said first member (3) to frictionally slide in the channels of said means from one of the extreme closing states (C) to the opening (O) state and vice versa, to brake and balance said door (D) at least in those channels.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said sliding friction means (21) are fixed to one end of rocker means (25) by means of respective fixed pivots (23), said rocker means (25) being joined centrally in a freely rotating manner to said second connecting pivot means (15) or to another component integral with said transmission means (11), the other end of rocker means (25) being connected to a respective end of the helical spring of said elastic means (14).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance from the middle longitudinal portion of the first member (3) to the helical spring (14) fixed to the hinge pin (7) is greater than the distance from the middle longitudinal portion of the first member (3) to the other end of the helical spring (14) and/or in that the rocker means (25) have a curved arc shape, the concavity of which is directed towards the middle longitudinal portion of the first member (3).