Patent Description:
The applicants have proposed a door opening/closing apparatus illustrated in <FIG> as this type of door opening/closing apparatus (refer to <CIT>). The door opening/closing apparatus includes a pair of hinges 51a and 51b, and a connecting bar <NUM> that is connected to the pair of hinges 51a and 51b.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the hinges 51a and 51b each include a main body-side member <NUM> that is mounted on an inner surface of a main body <NUM>, a door-side member <NUM> that is mounted on the back of a door <NUM>, a main arm <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>, a first link <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>, and a second link <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>. Three first shafts 58a, 57a, and 59a about which the main arm <NUM>, the first link <NUM>, and the second link <NUM> pivot relative to the main body-side member <NUM> are placed on the vertices of a triangle in axial view. Similarly, three second shafts 58b, 57b, and 59b about which the main arm <NUM>, the first link <NUM>, and the second link <NUM> pivot relative to the door-side member <NUM> are placed on the vertices of a triangle in axial view.

The main body-side member <NUM>, the door-side member <NUM>, the main arm <NUM>, and the first link <NUM> configure a parallel linkage mechanism (also called a parallel crank mechanism) in terms of mechanics. Hence, the door <NUM> moves parallel to itself between a closed position and an open position. However, if only the main body-side member <NUM>, the door-side member <NUM>, the main arm <NUM>, and the first link <NUM> are used, a change point may occur with the closing and opening of the door <NUM>, and the mechanism becomes unstable. Hence, the second link <NUM> is added to prevent the mechanism from becoming unstable.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main arm <NUM> includes a bent portion 58c to prevent the main arm <NUM> from interfering with the main body <NUM> and interfering with an unillustrated neighboring door in the open position of the door <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the connecting bar <NUM> is connected to the main arms <NUM> of the pair of hinges 51a and 51b, which causes the pair of hinges 51a and 51b to work in an interlocked fashion and causes the door <NUM> to stably open and close even if the door <NUM> is heavy.

Furthermore, <CIT> discloses a housing device, wherein a first connecting body is mounted to an inner surface of a side surface of a housing having an opening in a front surface thereof, a second connecting body is mounted to a rear surface of a door for opening and closing the opening of the housing, first, second, and third links are arranged between the first connecting body and the second connecting body and a parallel link mechanism is formed by the first connecting body, the second connecting body, and the first, second, and third links.

As illustrated in <FIG>, however, the connecting bar <NUM> is mounted on the main body <NUM> side of the main arm <NUM> and near the bent portion 58c of the main arm <NUM> in the known door opening/closing apparatus. The connecting bar <NUM> runs from the top to bottom of the main body <NUM>. Accordingly, there is a problem that the connecting bar <NUM> interferes with storage, which results in a reduction in storage space in the main body <NUM>.

The present invention has been made considering the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a door opening/closing apparatus that can expand storage space in a main body.

The present invention is defined in the appended set of claims. In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a door opening/closing apparatus including: at least two hinges; and a connecting bar configured to be connected to the at least two hinges, in which each hinge has: a main body-side member configured to be mounted on an inner surface of a main body; a door-side member configured to be mounted on the back of a door; a main arm configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member; a first link configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member; and a second link configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member, three first shafts about which the main arm, the first link, and the second link pivot relative to the main body-side member are placed on vertices of a triangle in axial view, three second shafts about which the main arm, the first link, and the second link pivot relative to the door-side member are placed on vertices of a triangle in the axial view, the main arm has a bent portion, the door opening/closing apparatus causes the door to move parallel to itself between a closed position and an open position, the connecting bar is mounted on a door side of the main arm, and the center of the connecting bar in a width direction thereof is placed on the second shaft side relative to the center between the first shaft of the main arm and the second shaft of the main arm in a front view of the door in a state where the door is in the closed position.

A hinge not covered by the present invention includes: a main body-side member configured to be mounted on an inner surface of a main body; a door-side member configured to be mounted on the back of a door; a main arm configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member; a first link configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member; and a second link configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member and the door-side member, in which three first shafts about which the main arm, the first link, and the second link pivot relative to the main body-side member are placed on vertices of a triangle in axial view, three second shafts about which the main arm, the first link, and the second link pivot relative to the door-side member are placed on vertices of a triangle in the axial view, the main arm has a bent portion, the hinge causes the door to move parallel to itself between a closed position and an open position, a mounting portion of the main arm on which a connecting bar is mounted is placed on a door side of the main arm, and the center of the mounting portion in a width direction thereof is placed on the second shaft side relative to the center between the first shaft of the main arm and the second shaft of the main arm in a front view of the door in a state where the door is in the closed position.

According to the present invention, a connecting bar can be put closer to the back of a door in a closed position. Hence, storage space in a main body can be expanded.

A door opening/closing apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail hereinafter on the basis of the accompanying drawings. However, the door opening/closing apparatus of the present invention can be embodiment in various modes, and is not limited to the embodiment described in the description. The embodiment is provided with the intention of allowing those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the invention by fully disclosing the description.

<FIG> are perspective views of a front side of a cabinet using a door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> of one embodiment of the present invention (a door <NUM> is indicated by chain double-dashed lines). <FIG> are perspective views of a back side of the cabinet (a part of a main body <NUM> is indicated by a break line). For convenience of description, directions of when the door <NUM> is viewed from the front, that is, the directions illustrated in the figures: front and back; up and down; and left and right, are used below to describe the configuration of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM>. Naturally, the placement of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> is not limited to the above.

<FIG> illustrates a closed position of the door <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a midpoint position of the door <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an open position of the door <NUM>. A reference sign 2a denotes an upper hinge. A reference sign 2b denotes a lower hinge. A reference sign <NUM> denotes a connecting bar that connects the hinges 2a and 2b. The door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> includes a pair of the hinges 2a and 2b, and the connecting bar <NUM> that is connected to the pair of the hinges 2a and 2b. When the door <NUM> is pulled toward the front from the closed position illustrated in <FIG>, the door <NUM> performs pivotal motion, maintaining parallelism, and then opens to the open position illustrated in <FIG> through the midpoint position (the maximum opening projection toward the front) illustrated in <FIG>. The main body <NUM> is open to its full width in the open position.

Conversely, when the door <NUM> is pulled toward the front from the open position illustrated in <FIG>, the door <NUM> performs pivotal motion, maintaining parallelism, and then closes to the closed position illustrated in <FIG> through the midpoint position illustrated in <FIG>. A catch mechanism and a damper mechanism, which are described below, are incorporated into the hinges 2a and 2b. The catch mechanism causes the door <NUM> to automatically close right before the closed position. The damper mechanism causes the door <NUM> to softly close to the closed position.

The hinge 2a includes a main body-side member <NUM> that is mounted on an inner surface of a side plate 5a of the main body <NUM>, a door-side member <NUM> that is mounted on the back of the door <NUM>, a main arm <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>, a first link <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>, and a second link <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the main body-side member <NUM> and the door-side member <NUM>. The main arm <NUM>, the first link <NUM>, and the second link <NUM> each include a bent portion, and are bent into an L-shape to prevent themselves from interfering with the side plate 5a of the main body <NUM> and an unillustrated neighboring door in the open position of the door <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The hinges 2a and 2b are configured to be the same or vertically symmetric. Only the configuration of the hinge 2a is described below, and the description of the hinge 2b is omitted.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the hinge 2a as viewed from the main body <NUM> side. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the hinge 2a as viewed from the door <NUM> side. The first link <NUM> is placed on one side (an upper side) of the main arm <NUM> in an axial direction (the up-and-down direction in <FIG>), displaced from the main arm <NUM>. The second link <NUM> is placed on the other side (a lower side) of the main arm <NUM> in the axial direction (the up-and-down direction), displaced from the main arm <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the hinge. The reference sign <NUM> denotes the main body-side member. The reference sign <NUM> denotes the door-side member. The reference sign <NUM> denotes the main arm. The reference sign <NUM> denotes the first link. The reference sign <NUM> denotes the second link.

Firstly, a linkage mechanism of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> is described. One end of the main arm <NUM> is connected to the main body-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a first shaft 13a. The other end of the main arm <NUM> is connected to the door-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a second shaft 13b. One end of the first link <NUM> is connected to the main body-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a first shaft 14a. The other end of the first link <NUM> is connected to the door-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a second shaft 14b. Similarly, one end of the second link <NUM> is connected to the main body-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a first shaft 15a. The other end of the second link <NUM> is connected to the door-side member <NUM> in such a manner as to be pivotable about a second shaft 15b.

The pitch between the first shaft 13a and the second shaft 13b of the main arm <NUM>, the pitch between the first shaft 14a and the second shaft 14b of the first link <NUM>, and the pitch between the first shaft 15a and the second shaft 15b of the second link <NUM> are equal to each other. The three first shafts 13a, 14a, and 15a are placed on the vertices of a triangle in axial view. The three second shafts 13b, 14b, and 15b are also placed on the vertices of a triangle in axial view. When the door <NUM> opens and closes, a triangle t1 (refer to <FIG>) including the first shafts 13a, 14a, and 15a, and a triangle t2 (refer to <FIG>) including the second shafts 13b, 14b, and 15b maintain parallelism, and the door <NUM> moves parallel to itself between the closed position and the open position, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Next, the configuration of each unit of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> is described. As illustrated in <FIG>, the main body-side member <NUM> includes a plate <NUM> that is fixed to the main body <NUM> with a fastening member such as a screw, and a bracket <NUM> that is fixed to the plate <NUM> with a fastening member such as a screw in such a manner as to be adjustable in position in the front-and-back direction. The bracket <NUM> has a squared U-shape in cross section. A pair of side plates 22a and 22b of the bracket <NUM>, which face each other, protrude from slits 21a in the plate <NUM>. A hole into which the first shaft 13a of the main arm <NUM> is inserted is formed in the side plates 22a and 22b. A hole into which the first shaft 14a of the first link <NUM> is inserted is formed in the side plate 22a. A hole into which the first shaft 15a of the second link <NUM> is inserted is formed in the side plate 22b. The main arm <NUM> is placed between the pair of side plates 22a and 22b. The first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are placed on outer sides of the pair of side plates 22a and 22b in the axial direction.

The position of the bracket <NUM> is adjusted in the front-and-back direction relative to the plate <NUM>; accordingly, the position of the door <NUM> can be adjusted in the front-and-back direction. After the adjustment, a washer cover <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is mounted on the main body-side member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the door-side member <NUM> includes a plate <NUM> that is fixed to the door <NUM> with a fastening member such as a screw, a bracket <NUM> that is fixed to the plate <NUM> with a fastening member such as a screw in such a manner as to be adjustable in position in the left-and-right direction and in the up-and-down direction, an angle adjustment plate <NUM> that is fixed to the bracket <NUM> with a fastening member such as a screw in such a manner as to be adjustable in inclination, and a cam <NUM> that is fixed to the angle adjustment plate 26with a fastening member such as a screw.

All of the bracket <NUM>, the angle adjustment plate <NUM>, and the cam <NUM> are formed into a squared U-shape in cross section. A hole into which the second shaft 13b of the main arm <NUM> is inserted is formed in side plates 26a and 26b of the angle adjustment plate <NUM>. A hole into which the second shaft 14b of the first link <NUM> is inserted is formed in the side plate 26a. A hole into which the second shaft 15b of the second link <NUM> is inserted is formed in the side plate 26b. The main arm <NUM> is placed between a pair of the side plates 26a and 26b of the angle adjustment plate <NUM>. The first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are placed on outer sides of a pair of side plates of the bracket <NUM> in the axial direction.

The position of the bracket <NUM> is adjusted in the left-and-right direction and in the up-and-down direction relative to the plate <NUM>; accordingly, the position of the door <NUM> can be adjusted in the left-and-right direction and in the up-and-down direction. The inclination of the angle adjustment plate <NUM> relative to the bracket <NUM> is adjusted; accordingly, the inclination of the door <NUM> can be adjusted. After the adjustment, a washer cover <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is mounted on the door-side member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main arm <NUM> includes an arm body <NUM>, an assist arm <NUM>, a catch mechanism <NUM>, and a damper mechanism <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the arm body <NUM> has an L-shape, and includes a straight short-side portion 31c and a straight long-side portion 31b on either side of a bent portion 31a. The long-side portion 31b of the arm body <NUM> has a squared U-shape in cross section, and includes a pair of opposing side plates 31b1, and a connecting plate 31b2 that connects the pair of side plates 31b1. A mounting portion 31d on which the connecting bar <NUM> is mounted is formed integrally with the pair of side plates 31b1 of the long-side portion 31b. The arm body <NUM> is produced by pressing a metal plate.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the assist arm <NUM> has a squared U-shape in cross section, and includes a pair of opposing side plates 32a, and a connecting plate 32b that connects the pair of side plates 32a. The assist arm <NUM> is produced by pressing a metal plate. The assist arm <NUM> is inserted between the side plates 31b1 of the arm body <NUM> to form the main arm <NUM> into a square tubular shape in cross section.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a substantially L-shaped resin spacer <NUM> is inserted between a pair of side plates of the short-side portion 31c of the arm body <NUM>. The assist arm <NUM> and the spacer <NUM> are fixed to the arm body <NUM> with a screw. The assist arm <NUM> and the spacer <NUM> increase the strength of the main arm <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a hole 36a into which the damper mechanism <NUM> is inserted is formed in the spacer <NUM>. The damper mechanism <NUM> includes a linear damper <NUM> and a damper holder <NUM>. The damper holder <NUM> has a bottomed tubular shape. The linear damper <NUM> is housed in the damper holder <NUM>. A damper stopper <NUM> is mounted on the main body-side member <NUM>. When the door <NUM> has closed to the vicinity of the closed position, the damper holder <NUM> comes into contact with the damper stopper <NUM> to generate a damping force.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the catch mechanism <NUM> is integrated into a tubular space between the arm body <NUM> and the assist arm <NUM>. The catch mechanism <NUM> includes a compression spring <NUM>, a spring case <NUM>, and a roller <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the spring case <NUM> is provided to the main arm <NUM> in such a manner as to be movable in the length direction. The roller <NUM> is provided to the spring case <NUM> in such a manner as to be rotatable. The compression spring <NUM> biases the roller <NUM> toward the cam <NUM> of the door-side member <NUM>. When the door <NUM> has closed to the vicinity of the closed position, the roller <NUM> fits into a recess of the cam <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and the door <NUM> closes automatically. When the door <NUM> opens and the roller <NUM> comes into contact with an arc surface of the cam <NUM>, an arbitrary angle of opening of the door <NUM> is maintained.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first link <NUM> has an L-shape, and includes a straight short-side portion 14e and a straight long-side portion 14d on either side of a bent portion 14c. The first link <NUM> has a plate shape. The second link <NUM> also has an L-shape, and includes a straight short-side portion 15e and a straight long-side portion 15d on either side of a bent portion 15c. The second link <NUM> also has a plate shape.

A finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> has an L-shape, and includes an upper cover 41a, and a lower cover 41b. Each of the upper cover 41a and the lower cover 41b includes a straight long-side portion and a straight short-side portion on either side of a bent portion as in the main arm <NUM>. The upper cover 41a is mounted on the top of the main arm <NUM>. The lower cover 41b is mounted on the bottom of the main arm <NUM>. The upper cover 41a and the lower cover 41b surround the main arm <NUM>. Holes 42a and 42b where the first shaft 13a and the second shaft 13b penetrate are formed in the upper cover 41a and the lower cover 41b. Reference signs 43a and 43b denote collars. The width (the width in a direction orthogonal to the length direction) of each of the upper cover 41a and the lower cover 41b is longer than that of the main arm <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> eliminates a gap between the main arm <NUM> and the first link <NUM> in axial view, and also eliminates a gap between the main arm <NUM> and the second link <NUM> in axial view. A gap does not appear between the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> and the first link <NUM> in axial view, and a gap does not appear between the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> and the second link <NUM> in axial view, all the way from the closed position to open position of the door <NUM>.

Moreover, as illustrated <FIG>, the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> reduces or eliminates a gap in the axial direction between the main arm <NUM> and the first link <NUM>, and also reduces or eliminates a gap in the axial direction between the main arm <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. A gap δ1 in the axial direction between the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> and the first link <NUM> and a gap δ2 in the axial direction between the finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> and the second link <NUM> is, for example, from equal to or greater than <NUM> to equal to or less than <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the plate-shaped connecting bar <NUM> extending in the up-and-down direction is mounted on the pair of the upper and lower hinges 2a and 2b with fastening members such as screws. As illustrated in <FIG>, the connecting bar <NUM> is mounted on the mounting portion 31d of the main arm <NUM>. The mounting method of the connecting bar <NUM> is not particularly limited. For example, a screw is caused to penetrate through each of four corners of the mounting portion 31d. A square nut is threadedly engaged with the screw. The square nuts are aligned with and then inserted into grooves in the connecting bar <NUM>. The screws are tightened and consequently the connecting bar <NUM> can be mounted on the mounting portion 31d.

The mounting portion 31d is placed on the door <NUM> side of the main arm <NUM>. The connecting bar <NUM> is mounted on the door <NUM> side of the main arm <NUM>. Moreover, a center B' of the mounting portion 31d in a width direction thereof and a center B of the connecting bar <NUM> in a width direction thereof are placed on the second shaft 13b side relative to a center C between the first shaft 13a of the main arm <NUM> and the second shaft 13b of the main arm <NUM> in front view (indicated by an open arrow A in <FIG>) in a state where the door <NUM> is in the closed position. In the embodiment, the entire mounting portion 31d and the entire connecting bar <NUM> are placed on the second shaft 13b side relative to the center C. As illustrated in <FIG>, the connecting bar <NUM> is located forward of the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> in the opening direction all the way from the closed position to open position of the door <NUM>. The connecting bar <NUM> does not interfere with the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>.

The configuration of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment has been described above. The door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment has the following effects:.

The main arm <NUM> includes the bent portion 31a. Closer to the second shaft 13b on the main arm <NUM> indicates closer to the door <NUM>. The connecting bar <NUM> is placed on the door <NUM> side and the second shaft 13b side of the main arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the connecting bar <NUM> can be put closer to the back of the door <NUM>. Hence, storage space in the main body <NUM> can be expanded.

Moreover, the connecting bar <NUM> is placed close to the second shaft 13b. Therefore, even if a shelf 5b is installed on the side plate 5a of the main body <NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to prevent the shelf 5b from interfering with the connecting bar <NUM>.

The first link <NUM> is placed on one side of the main arm <NUM> in the axial direction. The second link <NUM> is placed on the other side of the main arm <NUM> in the axial direction. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the strength of the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> and to render the door opening/closing apparatus <NUM> compact.

The main arm <NUM> includes the metal arm body <NUM> of a squared U-shape in cross section, and the metal assist arm <NUM> of a squared U-shape in cross section fastened to the arm body <NUM>. The main arm <NUM> is formed into a square tubular shape in cross section. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the strength of the main arm <NUM>.

The finger pinch prevention cover <NUM> that reduces or eliminates the gaps between the main arm <NUM> and the first link <NUM> (the gap in axial view and the gap δ1, δ2 in the axial direction) is mounted on the main arm <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent fingers from getting caught in these gaps. The same applies to the gaps between the main arm <NUM> and the second link <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the realization of the above embodiment, and can be realized in various embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

In the above embodiment, the door opening/closing apparatus is mounted on the side plate of the main body, and the door is opened and closed in the left-and-right direction. However, it is also possible to mount the door opening/closing apparatus on an upper or lower plate of the main body to open and close the door in the up-and-down direction.

In the above embodiment, the connecting bar is mounted on a pair of hinges. It is also possible to mount the connecting bar on three or more hinges.

Claim 1:
A door opening/closing apparatus comprising:
at least two hinges (2a, 2b); and a connecting bar (<NUM>) configured to be connected to the at least two hinges (2a, 2b), wherein
each hinge (2a, 2b) includes a main body-side member (<NUM>) configured to be mounted on an inner surface of a main body (<NUM>); a door-side member (<NUM>) configured to be mounted on the back of a door (<NUM>); a main arm (<NUM>) configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member (<NUM>) and the door-side member (<NUM>); a first link (<NUM>) configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member (<NUM>) and the door-side member (<NUM>); and a second link (<NUM>) configured to be pivotably connected to the main body-side member (<NUM>) and the door-side member (<NUM>),
three first shafts (13a, 14a, 15a) about which the main arm (<NUM>), the first link (<NUM>), and the second link (<NUM>) pivot relative to the main body-side member (<NUM>) are placed on vertices of a triangle in axial view,
three second shafts (13b, 14b, 15b) about which the main arm (<NUM>), the first link (<NUM>), and the second link (<NUM>) pivot relative to the door-side member (<NUM>) are placed on vertices of a triangle in the axial view,
the main arm (<NUM>) includes a bent portion (31a),
the door opening/closing apparatus (<NUM>) causes the door (<NUM>) to move parallel to itself between a closed position and an open position,
characterized in that
the connecting bar (<NUM>) is mounted on a door (<NUM>) side of the main arm (<NUM>), and the center (B) of the connecting bar (<NUM>) in a width direction thereof is placed on the second shaft (13b) side relative to the center (C) between the first shaft (13a) of the main arm (<NUM>) and the second shaft (13b) of the main arm (<NUM>) in a front view (A) of the door (<NUM>) in a state where the door (<NUM>) is in the closed position.