Patent Publication Number: US-11661781-B2

Title: Hinge, accommodation device, and refrigerator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/045820 filed on Dec. 13, 2018, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-239797 filed on Dec. 14, 2017, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates to a hinge, a storage apparatus, and a refrigerator. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A conventional hinge, as disclosed in Patent Document  1 , includes a bracket mounted on a box body serving as a fixed object, a socket mounted on a door serving as a moving object, a link mechanism installed between the bracket and the socket mounted as above, and a catch mechanism configured to bias the socket in an opening direction and/or closing direction of the moving object. 
     The catch mechanism includes a cam provided on a link arm of the link mechanism adjacent to the socket and a cam follower arranged to slide in the socket and elastically biased toward the cam, and as the cam follower slides with respect to the cam, exerts a catch force. 
     However, with such a configuration in which the cam follower slides with respect to the cam, sliding surfaces of the cam follower and the cam are worn out, and deformed with the number of times the door is opened and closed. As a result, it is difficult to maintain the initial catch force. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide a technology capable of reliably performing an opening portion operation and a closing operation without using a cam and a member sliding on the cam. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hinge according to the present invention includes: a body-side member fixed to a box body; a door-side member fixed to a door; a link mechanism connecting the body-side member to the door-side member; and a catch mechanism interposed in between the link mechanism, between the body-side member and the link mechanism, or between the door-side member and the link mechanism, and configured to bias the door-side member in a closing direction or an opening portion direction, wherein the catch mechanism includes a coil spring provided at one side of two members that are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other through a shaft member, and a transfer arm configured to transfer an elastic restoring force of the coil spring to an other side of the two members, and the transfer arm is connected to be rotatable at a point spaced apart from the shaft member on the other side of the two members. 
     In the case of such a hinge, since the coil spring and the transfer arm bias the door-side member in the opening or closing direction according to the opening and closing of the door-side member, the opening or closing operation is performed without using the cam and the member sliding on the cam. As a result, the deterioration of the catch force due to abrasion that may occur by using a cam and a member sliding on the cam may be prevented. 
     In a specific embodiment of the catch mechanism, preferably, the catch mechanism biases the door-side member in the closing direction when the door-side member is in a closed state with respect to a predetermined rotation angle, and biases the door side member in the opening direction when the door-side member is in an open state with respect to the predetermined rotation angle. 
     Preferably, the link mechanism includes a link member rotatably connected to the door side member through a shaft member, the coil spring is provided on the door-side member, and the transfer arm is rotatably connected to the link member. With such a configuration, the catch mechanism is provided at a door side of the hinge, so that the catching ability of the catch mechanism may be reliably exhibited, and the airtightness of the door may be improved. 
     Preferably, the coil spring is accommodated in an accommodating portion provided in the door side member. 
     With such configuration, an injury caused by an accidental contact with a coil spring or a foreign object stuck in the coil spring may be prevented. 
     In order to apply the catch force in the opening or closing direction while simplifying the movement of the transfer arm, preferably, the transfer arm has one end portion connected with respect to the accommodating portion so as to be slidable along a straight line, and has an other end portion rotatably connected to the link member. Moreover, the elastic restoring force of the coil spring may be appropriately used by allowing the slide direction of the one end of the transfer arm to match the extension and contraction direction of the coil spring. 
     Then, in order to reliably apply the catch force when the door-side member is in a closed or open state with respect to the predetermined rotation angle, compression deformation of the coil spring is set to be maximized when the door-side member is at the predetermined rotation angle. In this state, the direction of the elastic restoring force applied to the link member from the other end of the transfer arm passes through the central axis of the shaft member. 
     The accommodating portion is provided with a slide body that slides according to extension and contraction of the coil spring, and the one end of the transfer arm is connected to the slide body. With such a configuration, the dimensions of the transmission arm may be designed regardless of the winding diameter of the coil spring. 
     When the link mechanism is provided as a multi-axis link, the door may be moved forward from the box body when the door is opened. As a result, even in the case in which the storage apparatus is integrally built-in to the storage space of a kitchen or accommodated in storage furniture for use, when the door is opened, the edge portion of the door on the hinge side is not easily brought into contact with an adjacent wall, so that the door may be completely opened. 
     A storage apparatus according to the present invention includes a box body having an opening portion at a front side thereof, a door configured to open and close the opening portion, and a hinge rotatably supporting the door with respect to the box body, wherein the hinge has a configuration described above. 
     A refrigerator includes the storage apparatus and a refrigeration cycle for cooling inside of the box body. 
     According to the present invention, an opening portion operation and a closing operation can be reliably performed without using a cam and a member sliding on the cam. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a hinge (two middle hinges) according to the present embodiment, which shows a state in which two middle hinges are in a closed position. 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom view of a hinge (two middle hinges) according to the present embodiment, which shows a state in which one of the middle hinges (a middle hinge  5 C) is in an open position. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a hinge (two middle hinges) according to the present embodiment, which shows a state in which one of the middle hinges (a middle hinge  5 C) is in an open position. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a hinge (two middle hinges) according to the present embodiment, which shows a state in which one of the middle hinges (a middle hinge  5 C) is in an open position. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view illustrating a positional relationship between a door edge portion adjacent to a hinge and a wall in a state in which the door is open according to the preset embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a door-side member is positioned at a predetermined rotation angle θ X  according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG.  8   a    and  FIG.  8   b    show a plan view of a hinge in an open position according to a modified embodiment and a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the hinge. 
         FIG.  9    and  FIG.  10    are schematic views illustrating a modified example of a catch mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of a refrigerator configured using a storage apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a refrigerator  100  according to the embodiment, includes a refrigerator body  2  provided as a box body having at a front thereof with an upper opening portion H 1  and a lower opening portion H 2  divided by a partial wall  22 , an upper door  3  for opening and closing the upper opening portion H 1 , a lower door  4  for opening and closing the lower opening portion H 2 , and a hinge  5  rotatably supporting the upper door  3  and the lower door  4  with respect to the refrigerator body  2 . The interior space of the refrigerator body  2  is cooled by a refrigeration cycle constructed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, a decompression device, and a cooler to each other through piping. 
     In addition, the hinge  5  includes a pair of multi-axis hinges  5 A and  5 B provided on the upper and lower sides of the upper door  3  and a pair of multi-axis hinges  5 C and  5 D provided on the upper and lower sides of the lower door  4 . The multi-axis hinges  5 A to  5 D are provided on a front portion of the refrigerator body  2 . The multi-axis hinge  5 A provided on the upper side of the upper door  3  is installed on an upper wall portion  21  of the refrigerator body  2 , and the multi-axis hinge  5 B provided on the lower side of the upper door  3  is installed on the partition wall  22 . In addition, the multi-axis hinge  5 C provided on the upper side of the lower door  4  is installed on the partial wall  22 , and the multi-axis hinge  5 D provided on the lower side of the lower door  4  is installed on a lower wall portion  23  of the refrigerator body  2 . 
     In detail, referring to  FIGS.  2  to  5   , the multi-axis hinges  5 A to  5 D are provided with a body-side member  51  fixed to the refrigerator body  2 , a door-side member  52  fixed to the upper door  3  or the lower door  4 , and a link mechanism  53  that connects the body-side member  51  to the door-side member  52  so as to be displaceable relative to each other. The four multi-axis hinges have the same rotational trajectory. Hereinafter, the multi-axis hinge  5 B provided on the lower side of the upper door  3  and the multi-axis hinge  5 C provided on the upper side of the lower door  4  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  2  to  5   , but other multi-axis hinges  5 A and  5 D also have the same basic configuration as those of the multi-axis hinges  5 B and  5 C. 
     In the embodiment, the door-side member  52  has one side surface (an inner surface) which faces the link mechanism  53  and to which the door body  31  or  41  formed of an insulating member of the upper door  3  or the lower door  4  is fixed, and has the other side surface (an outer surface) which faces away from the link mechanism  53  and to which a design panel  32  or  42  is fixed (see  FIG.  2   ). 
     The link mechanism  53  is a seven-section link mechanism, and includes a plurality of links L 1  to L 4  (first to fourth links) and a plurality of shaft members P 1  to P 7  rotatably connecting the plurality of links L 1  to L 4 . 
     One end portion of the first link L 1  is connected to the body-side member  51  by the first shaft member P 1 , and the other end portion of the first link L 1  is connected to one end portion of the second link L 2  by the second shaft member P 2 . The other end portion of the second link L 2  is connected to the door-side member  52  by the third shaft member P 3 . 
     In addition, one end portion of the third link L 3  is connected to the body-side member  51  by the fourth shaft member P 4 , and the other end portion of the third link L 3  is connected to the second link L 2  by the fifth shaft member P 5 . In the second link L 2 , the position where the other end portion of the third link L 3  is connected to the second link L 2  is more adjacent to the other end portion of the second link L 2  (inner side) relative to the position where the other end portion of the first link L 1  is connected to the second link L 2 . 
     In addition, one end portion of the fourth link L 4  is connected to the third link L 3  by the sixth shaft member P 6 . In the third link L 3 , the position where the one end portion of the fourth link L 4  is connected to the third link L 3  is more adjacent to the one end portion of the third link L 3  (inner side) relative to the position where third link L 3  is connected to the one end portion of the second link L 2 . The other end portion of the fourth link L 4  is connected to the door-side member  52  by the seventh shaft member P 7 . 
     With the link mechanism  53 , the door  3  or and  4  is configured to rotate between a closing position for closing the opening portion H 1  or H 2  and an opening position for opening the opening portion H 1  or H 2 , and while rotating from the closing position to the opening portion position, have a hinge side corner thereof spaced apart from the refrigerator body  2 . 
     In addition, the two multi-axis hinges  5 B and  5 C located between the upper door  3  and the lower door  4  among the plurality of multi-axis hinges  5 A to  5 D (hereinafter, also referred to as “middle hinges  5 B and  5 C”) use the body-side member  51  in common. 
     The body-side member  51  used in common (hereinafter, also referred to as “a common member Si”) includes an upper protrusion  511  having a flat plate shape and to which the link mechanism  53  of the multi-axis hinge  5 B provided on the lower side of the upper door  3  is connected and a lower protrusion  512  having a flat plate shape and to which the link mechanism  53  of the multi-axis hinge  5 C provided on the upper side of the lower door  4  is connected. In the embodiment, a cross section including the protrusions  511  and  512  is formed in a substantially ‘U’ shape, and an intermediate portion  513  between the upper protrusion  511  and the lower protrusion  512  is screwed to the refrigerator body  2  (specifically, a front portion of the partition wall  22 ). The common member  51  is formed by integrally forming the upper protrusion  511 , the lower protrusion  512 , and the intermediate portion  513  with each other. 
     In addition, in the embodiment, with regard to the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C, components except for the door-side member  52 , specifically, the common member  51  and the link mechanism  53  are each configured to be vertically symmetrical. Further, with regard to the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C components except for the common member  51  and the door-side member  52 , specifically, the links L 1  to L 4  of the link mechanism  53  and the shaft members P 1  to P 7  of the link mechanism  53  have the same shape between the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C. In addition, in the present embodiment, the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C are each configured to be mounted to be bilaterally symmetrical on the refrigerator body  2 . 
     The strength of the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C configured as described above is configured to be smaller than the strength of the multi-axis hinge  5 A provided on the upper side of the upper door  3  and the multi-axis hinge  5 D provided on the lower side of the lower door  4 . With such a configuration, most of the load of the upper door  3  is supported by the multi-axis hinge  5 A provided on the upper side of the upper door  3 , and most of the load of the lower door  4  is supported by the multi-axis hinge  5 D provided on the lower side of the lower door  4 . As a result, the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C do not need to have a great strength, so that the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C may be reduced in thickness and the partition wall  22  may be reduced in thickness, causing the internal capacity to be increased. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG.  2   , a distance d 1  between the design panels  32  and  42  fixed to the door-side members  52  of the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C is set to be smaller than a distance d 2  between the door-side members  52  of the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C. With this configuration, a position adjusting handle in the vertical direction of the design panels  32  and  42  with respect to the door-side member  52 . 
     In addition, referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  7   , the hinge  5  according to the present embodiment further includes a catch mechanism  6  provided between the door-side member  52  and the link mechanism  53  and configured to bias the door-side member  52  in the closing direction and the opening direction. 
     Specifically, the catch mechanism  6  includes a coil spring  61  provided at one side of two members connected to be rotatable relative to each other through a shaft member, and a transfer arm  62  for transmitting an elastic restoring force of the coil spring  61  to the other side of the two members. In the embodiment, the two members include the door-side member  52  and the second link L 2  connected to each other by the third shaft member P 3 . 
     The coil spring  61  is provided on one side of the door-side member  52  opposite to a side on which the door (the upper door  3  or the lower door  4 ) is mounted, and in the embodiment, the coil spring  61  is accommodated in an accommodating portion  63  provided on the door-side member  52 . 
     The accommodating portion  63  extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the third shaft member P 3 . In addition, the coil spring  61  accommodated in the accommodating portion  63  expands and contracts in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the third shaft member P 3 . 
     The transfer arm  62  is provided in the form of a straight line, and has one end portion  62   a  connected to the door-side member  52  and the other end portion  62   b  connected to the second link L 2 . 
     The one end portion  62   a  of the transfer arm  62  is connected to be rotatable and slidable along a straight line with respect to the accommodation portion  63 . Here, the one end portion  62   a  is slidable along a slide groove  63  formed in the accommodation portion  63 . Specifically, the one end portion  62   a  is provided with a slide portion  62   a   1  that slides in the slide groove  63 . Accordingly, the slide direction of the one end portion  62   a  of the transfer arm  62  coincides with the extension and contraction direction of the coil spring  61 . 
     In addition, the other end portion  62   b  of the transfer arm  62  is rotatably connected at a position spaced apart from the third shaft member P 3  in the second link L 2 . Specifically, the other end portion  62   b  is provided to be rotatable by a connecting pin  62   b   1 . 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the catch mechanism  6  biases the door-side member  52  in the closing direction when the door-side member  52  is in a closed state with respect to a predetermined rotation angle θ X , and biases the door-side member  52  in the opening direction when the door-side member  52  is in an open state with respect to the predetermined rotation angle θ X . Here, the predetermined rotation angle θ X  is an angle where the direction of the elastic restoring force of the coil spring  61  applied to the second link L 2  from the other end portion  62   b  (specifically, the connecting pin  62   b   1 ) of the transfer arm  62  passes through the rotation axis of the third shaft member P 3 . Further, in this state, the compression deformation of the coil spring  61  is maximized. 
     Then, when the door-side member  52  is in a closed state with respect to the predetermined rotation angle θ X , an elastic restoring force of the coil spring  61  applied to the second link L 2  from the other end portion  62   b  of the transfer arm  62  causes the second link L 2  to be subject to a rotational moment (torque) in the closing direction around the third shaft member P 3 . In the present embodiment, the rotational moment is applied in the closing direction until the door-side member  52  reaches an angle at which the door is set into a closed position from the predetermined rotation angle θ X . 
     On the other hand, when the door-side member  52  is in an open state with respect to the predetermined rotation angle θ X , an elastic restoring force of the coil spring  61  applied to the second link L 2  from the other end portion  62   b  of the transfer arm  62  causes the second link L 2  to be subject to a rotational moment (torque) in the opening direction around the third shaft member P 3 . In the embodiment, the rotational moment is applied in the opening direction until the door-side member  52  reaches an angle at which the door is set into an open position from the predetermined rotation angle θ X . 
     Advantageous Effects of the Present Embodiment 
     According to the refrigerator  100  of the present embodiment configured as described above, the coil spring  61  and the transfer arm  62  bias the door-side member  52  in the opening or closing direction according to the opening or closing of the door-side member  52 . Therefore, an opening operation or closing operation may be performed without using a cam and a member sliding on the cam. As a result, the deterioration of the catch force due to abrasion caused when using a cam and a member sliding on the cam is prevented. 
     Further, since the catch mechanism  6  is provided between the door-side member  52  and the second link L 2 , the catch force of the catch mechanism  6  may be reliably exhibited, so that sealing performance of the doors  3  and  4  may be improved. 
     In addition, the catch mechanism  6  is interposed between the door side member  52  and the second link L 2 , so that the catching ability of the catch mechanism  6  may be reliably exhibited, and the airtightness of the door may be improved. 
     In addition, since the coil spring  61  is accommodated in the accommodating portion  63  provided on the door side member  52 , an injury caused by an accidental contact with the coil spring  61  or a foreign object stuck in the coil spring  61  may be prevented. 
     The one end portion  62   a  of the transfer arm  62  is connected so as to be slidable along a straight line with respect to the accommodating portion  63 , and the other end portion  62   b  of the transfer arm  62  is rotatably connected to the second link L 2 . Accordingly, the catch force is applied in the opening portion or closing direction while simplifying the movement of the transfer arm  62 . In addition, since the slide direction of the one end portion  62   a  of the transfer arm  62  coincides with the extension and contraction direction of the coil spring  62 , the elastic restoring force of the coil spring  61  may be suitably used. 
     Moreover, since the hinge  5  includes the multi-axis hinges  5 A to  5 D provided on the upper and lower sides of the doors  3  and  4 , when the doors  3  and  4  are opened, the doors  3  and  4  are moved forward from the refrigerator body  2 . As a result, even when the refrigerator  100  is integrally built-in with a storage space of a kitchen for use, or is accommodated in a storage furniture for use, a hinge side edge portion K of the door is not easily brought into contact with a wall W adjacent thereto even when the doors  3  and  4  are opened (see  FIG.  6   ), so that the doors  3  and  4  may be sufficiently opened. Here, in a state in which the upper door  3  or the lower door  4  is closed, the distance d 3  between the design panels  32  and  42  and an inner side of the wall W corresponds to the distance between the refrigerator  100  and the wall W, so that it is preferable to increase the distance d 4  between the refrigerator main body  2  and the inner side of the wall W in terms of heat dissipation. 
     The two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C use the body-side member  51  in common, so that the partition wall  22  is reduced in thickness, and the internal capacity of the body is prevented from being reduced compared to a refrigerator of the same height. In addition, since the body-side member  51  is used in common by the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C, even when the thickness of the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C is thin, the mechanical strength of the common body-side member  51  is secured. 
     In the common body-side member  51 , since the intermediate portion  513  between the upper protrusion  511  and the lower protrusion  512  is configured to be fixed to the refrigerator body  2 , the mechanical strength of the body-side member  51  is secured while the installation space in the refrigerator body  2  is reduced. In addition, since the upper protrusion  511  and the lower protrusion  512  to which the link mechanism  53  is connected has a flat plate shape, the thickness of the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C may be reduced. 
     Modified Embodiments 
     Here, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. 
     For example, the catch mechanism may be a configuration provided in between the link mechanism or between the body-side member and the link mechanism. 
     Although the coil spring is provided on the door-side member in terms of installation space and the like in the above embodiment, the coil spring may be provided on the link member, such as the second link. 
     Further, the catch mechanism may have an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the elastic restoring force of the coil spring. As an example, the adjustment mechanism may be a screw that is screwed to reciprocate with respect to the accommodation portion, and the screw causes the coil spring to be deformed in the extension and contraction direction so that the elastic restoring force is adjusted. 
     Although the transfer arm  62  is provided at the one end portion  62   a  with the slide portion  62   a   1  in the above embodiment, the accommodating portion  63  as illustrated in  FIG.  9    may be provided at an inside thereof not only with the coil spring  61  but also with a slide body  64  that slides according to extension and contraction of the coil spring  61  such that the one end portion  62   a  of the transfer arm  62  is connected to the slide body  64 . With such a configuration, the dimensions of the transfer arm  62  may be designed regardless of the winding diameter of the coil spring  61 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , the accommodating part  63  of the catch mechanism may be a configuration that is screwed to a tip bending portion  52   x  of the window side member  52 . In this case, a fixing screw  65  fixing the accommodating part  63  protrudes inside the accommodating part  63 , and allows the protruding portion to serve as a guide portion of the coil spring  61 . Accordingly, the fixing screw  65  may serve to fix the accommodating portion  63  while guiding the coil spring  61 . 
     In addition, although the link mechanism according to the above embodiment is a seven-section link mechanism, the link mechanism may be implemented as other multi-section link mechanisms. 
     In addition, although the hinge according to the above embodiment uses the body-side member in common for the two middle hinges, separate body-side members may be provided. In addition, when the body-side member of the two middle hinges is used in common, the main body-side member may be composed of different, plural parts composed of single members. 
     In addition, although the common member according to the above embodiment has a cross section including the protruding portions that is illustrated as having a substantially “U” shape, the shape of the common member is not limited thereto. 
     Moreover, although the two middle links according to the above embodiment use the first shaft member and the fourth shaft member respectively for each link, the two middle links may compose the first shaft member as a common-use member, or compose the fourth shaft member as a common-use member. In this case, the common-use members are provided over the upper and lower protrusions of the common member. 
     With respect to a closing face of the door, in order to easily secure a portion sealing an opening portion, the door is preferably provided with the hinge  5  on a side different from a side having the closing face closing the opening portion. That is, the door-side member  52  of the hinge  5  is mounted on a side different from a side having the closing face of the door  3  or  4 . 
     Although the two middle hinges  5 B and  5 C according to the above embodiment are connected to the body-side member  51  by separate shaft members, the first shaft member P 1  of the middle hinge  5 B and the first shaft member P 1  of the middle hinge  5 C may be provided as a common shaft member as shown in  FIG.  8   . Moreover, similarly, the fourth shaft member P 4  of the middle hinge  5 B and the fourth shaft member P 4  of the middle hinge  5 C may also be provided as a common shaft member. With such a configuration, the number of parts of the shaft members may be reduced. In addition, although the structure of the link mechanism  53  of  FIG.  8    is slightly different from that of the link mechanism  53  of the above embodiment, the operations are the same as each other. 
     Although the above embodiment has been described on a multi-axis hinge as an example, the hinge may be provided as a single-axis hinge. 
     Although the above embodiment has been described on a refrigerator using a storage apparatus, the present invention is not limited to the refrigerator, and may be applicable to other storage apparatuses. 
     In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the present invention, the opening or closing operation may be reliably performed without using a cam and a member sliding on the cam.