[0001] The present invention relates to a door hinge, in particular a hinge used for connecting
the doors of domestic appliances, such as ovens, to the respective supporting structures.
[0002] This specification describes the present invention with reference to an oven purely
by way of example and without restricting the scope of the inventive concept.
[0003] Hinges of this type normally consist of two parts, both having a box-shaped structure
and being kinematically linked to each other.
[0004] More specifically, the first part is fixed to one side of the oven opening, whilst
the second part is fixed to an edge of the oven door which can thus be tilt opened
with respect to the opening.
[0005] Between the box-shaped structures there is an operatively interposed lever with one
end rigidly linked to the first box-shaped structure and a second end pivoted to the
second box-shaped structure by means of a pin.
[0006] When the door is turned in either direction in order to open or close it, the second
box-shaped structure rotates about the pin, which thus defines a pivot axis for the
door itself.
[0007] The lever is operated upon by elastic elements positioned between it and the box-shaped
structure connected to the door.
[0008] Such a hinge is known from
EP-A-0 692 598 disclosing the features of the preamble of claim 1.
[0009] More specifically, the elastic elements operate between this box-shaped structure
and a rod located inside it. The rod is pivoted to the lever by its free end, that
is to say, the end that does not interact with the elastic elements.
[0010] During the rotation of the door about its pivot axis, the aforementioned elastic
elements oppose first the movement of the door away from the oven structure and then
the rotation of the door and its consequent lowering to the position in which the
oven door is fully open. Hinges of this type therefore continuously exert on the door
a force that tends to keep it in the position in which the oven opening is closed.
[0011] The downward turning of the door, under the combined action of its weight, which
tends to pull it downwards, and of the elastic elements, which oppose this downward
pulling action, is thus slowed and the door opens gradually.
[0012] In the configuration in which the door is fully open, the torque exerted by the weight
of the door is balanced by the torque exerted by the elastic elements, thus creating
a condition of equilibrium which makes the configuration stable.
[0013] Prior art hinges of the type described above had one drawback and this was that,
in order to adapt the hinges to doors of different sizes and weights, the elastic
elements had to be substituted to enable a hinge on a door of a given size and weight
to reach the condition of equilibrium.
[0014] To overcome the above mentioned drawback, this applicant proposed a hinge in which
the elastic elements, consisting of a helical spring, had built-in screw adjustment
means designed to vary its pre-loading condition by changing the axial extension of
the spring.
[0015] These adjustment means, however, are not free of disadvantages.
[0016] One of these disadvantages is the fact that the adjustment screw has to be turned
a large number of times to make even the smallest change to the axial extension of
the spring. This is because, for stability the adjustment screw has to have a very
fine thread, which means that each turn of the screw results in a minimal forward
movement of the screw in an axial direction.
[0017] Moreover, the adjustment made using a screw tends to be unsteady, which means that,
after some time, the initial adjustment is lost and the hinge has to be readjusted.
[0018] Another disadvantage connected with the use of a screw to adjust the hinge is that
the adjustment is a highly time-consuming task and is difficult to repeat from one
hinge to the next. This constitutes a particularly serious drawback since doors usually
have two hinges and a system of forces that is not perfectly balanced eventually and
inevitably leads to problems opening and closing the doors.
[0019] The present invention has for an aim to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages
by providing a door hinge that has a simple structure and that is practical and easy
to adjust.
[0020] The technical characteristics of the invention according to the aforementioned aim
may be easily inferred from the contents of the appended claims, especially claim
1, and preferably any of the claims that depend, either directly or indirectly, on
claim 1.
[0021] Further, the advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed description
which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting
the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of an oven with a door connected
to it by two hinges made in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view, with some parts cut away and others transparent
in order to better illustrate others, of a preferred embodiment of a hinge according
to the present invention;
- Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation view, with some parts transparent in order
to better illustrate others, of a hinge according to the present invention;
- Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views, with some parts cut away, of three different
configurations in which the hinge shown in the illustrations listed above is used.
[0022] The numeral 1 in Figure 1 denotes in its entirety an oven comprising a frame 2 to
which a door 3 is connected by two hinges 4 which enable it to be rotated downwards
about a first horizontal axis A.
[0023] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, each of the two hinges 4 comprises a first box-shaped
structure 5 connected to the frame 2 of the oven 1 and a second box-shaped structure
6 connected to the door 3. The first and the second box-shaped structure 5 and 6 are
kinematically connected by a connecting lever 7.
[0024] The second box-shaped structure 6 has a substantially C-shaped cross section and
extends lengthways along an axis B which hereinafter also denotes the principal axis
along which the second structure 6 extends.
[0025] The connecting lever 7 comprises a first arm 8, designed to be rigidly connected
to the first box-shaped structure 5, and a second arm 9 connected to the second box-shaped
structure 6.
[0026] For connecting the second arm 9 and the second box-shaped structure 6 to each other,
the hinge 4 comprises a first pin 10 passing through a respective hole made in the
end of the second arm 9 itself and being coaxial with the axis A.
[0027] The hinge 4 also comprises a rod 11 positioned lengthways within the second structure
6 and connected to a lower end of it 6a by a second pin 12 parallel to the pin 10
and passing through a respective hole made in an intermediate section of the second
arm 9 of the lever 7.
[0028] Inside the second box-shaped structure 6 there is a helical spring 13 extending lengthways
in line with the rod 11, parallel to the axis B and operating by traction, as described
in more detail below.
[0029] The helical spring 13 is connected by a first, lower end of it 13a to a hole 14 made
in the rod 11, and by a second, upper end of it 13b, longitudinally opposite the first,
lower end 13a, to a hooking element 15 located at the upper end 6b of the second box-shaped
structure 6.
[0030] As illustrated in detail in Figure 4, the hooking element 15 of the spring 13 has
two longitudinally opposite ends 15a, 15b which slidably engage with two respective
slots 16 made in two opposite side walls 17a, 17b of the second box-shaped structure
6, said side walls defining the C shape of the structure 6 itself.
[0031] The slots 16 extend lengthways in a direction parallel to the axis B of the second
box-shaped structure 6.
[0032] At the ends 15a, 15b, the hooking element 15 has two respective portions 18 that
are larger than the central body of the element 15, these larger portions being designed
to keep it stably engaged with the slots 16.
[0033] Between the helical body and the upper end 13b of the spring 13, the hinge 4 comprises
a cam-like member 19.
[0034] The cam-like member 19 comprises a central body 20 and two wings 21a, 21b extending
in a direction parallel to the side walls 17a, 17b of the second box-shaped structure
6.
[0035] The central body 20 has fixed to it a third pin 22 positioned transversely of the
aforementioned axis B and having two longitudinally opposite cylindrical ends 22a,
22b, each designed to rotatably engage a lower, rounded area of a respective slot
16.
[0036] The central axis R of the third pin 22 defines an axis of rotation for the cam-like
member 19. The cam-like member 19 is thus pivoted to the second box-shaped structure
6.
[0037] At each of the ends 22a, 22b of the third pin 22, there is a respective polygonal
control head 23 designed to be engaged by a respective tool 24 shaped to match it.
[0038] Each control head 23 is positioned outside the respective side wall 17a, 17b of the
second box-shaped structure 6 so that it can be easily accessed by the tool 24.
[0039] Each of the control heads 23 constitutes a respective actuating element 25 for rotationally
driving the cam-like member 19 about the axis B.
[0040] Each of the wings 21a, 21b of the cam-like member 19 has an eccentric profile 26.
The eccentric profile 26 of each wing 21a, 21b presents a plurality of recesses 27
for accommodating one of the opposite longitudinal ends 15a, 15b of the hooking element
15.
[0041] As illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the recesses 27 on the eccentric profile 26
are arranged in succession at increasing radial distances from the axis of rotation
R of the cam-like member 19. In other words, the recesses 27 are made one after the
other and, on account of the eccentricity of the profile 26, are located at different
distances from the axis R. Thus, if we consider the first recess to be the one located
nearest the axis R, the other recesses are located further and further from the axis
R.
[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the central body 20 of the cam-like member 19 has an
opening 28 made in it to enable the cam-like member 19 to rotate without interfering
with the upper end 13b of the spring 13.
[0043] The slots 16 constitute respective guide means 29 enabling the hooking element 15
to vary its position relative to the second box-shaped structure 6 in a direction
parallel to the axis R.
[0044] The cam-like member 19 constitutes, for the hinge 4, together with the slidable hooking
element 15, means 30 for adjusting the elastic reaction of the spring 13.
[0045] The spring 13 constitutes, for the hinge 4, an elastic element 31 designed to produce
a reactive force opposing the opening of the door 3.
[0046] During use, with reference to
European patent No.02425779.2 granted to this Applicant and totally incorporated herein by reference, when the
door 3 is pulled by a user, starting from a condition in which the door 3 itself is
closed, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the hinges 4 cause the door
3 to turn relatively rapidly in the opening direction through a predetermined angle
and then to gradually slow down the rotational movement until the door 3 reaches the
fully open position illustrated in Figure 1.
[0047] The door 3, under the action of its weight, which tends to tilt it downwards, combined
with the opposing braking action due to the moment M1 of force applied by the helical
spring 13 completes its rotational opening motion gradually to reach the position
illustrated in Figure 1.
[0048] The moment M1 is generated by the elastic reaction applied by the spring 13 as a
result of the deformation of the spring 13 during the opening motion of the door 3.
[0049] For adjusting the intensity of the moment M1 and, hence, of its braking action on
the door 3, as a function of the properties of the spring 13 and as a function of
the weight and size of the door, the invention contemplates the provision of the aforementioned
means 30 for adjusting the intensity of the elastic reaction of the spring 13.
[0050] More specifically, the means 30 comprise the cam-like member 19 which, by rotating
about its axis R, makes it possible to vary the relative position between the hooking
element 15 and the second box-shaped structure 6.
[0051] Considering the lower end 13a of the spring 13 to be substantially fixed since it
is attached to the rod 11, while, on the contrary, the upper end 13b is hooked to
the element 15, the variation in the position of the hooking element 15 changes the
longitudinal extension of the spring 13 along its axis B.
[0052] As is known, the intensity of the elastic reaction of a spring is a function of the
elastic constant of the spring itself, as well as of the deformation to which the
spring is subjected. In the embodiment illustrated, the helical spring 13 extends
lengthways and the deformation to which it is subjected results in its elongation
along the axis B.
[0053] More specifically, by using the tool 24 to engage one of the two control heads 23
of each hinge 4, it is possible to turn the cam-like member 19 about its axis R causing
it to adopt a plurality of possible different positions.
[0054] The eccentric profile 26 of the cam-like member 19 engages the hooking element 15
and produces the positive movement of the element 15 itself in a direction V along
the axis B.
[0055] At each of the aforementioned possible positions, the ends 15a and 15b of the hooking
element 15 are securely accommodated in two respective recesses 27 of the eccentric
profiles of the two wings 21a, 21b of the cam-like member 19.
[0056] The force of the spring 13 holds the hooking element 15 securely in contact with
recesses 27.
[0057] In conclusion, by simply adjusting the cam-like member 19, it is advantageously possible
to adjust, effectively and rapidly, the elastic reaction of the spring 13 and, consequently,
the intensity of the moment M1 and of its braking action on the door 3.
[0058] Figures 4, 5 and 6 show three different adjustments of the spring 13.
[0059] Furthermore, the adjustment is advantageously extremely stable and not subject to
unwanted changes.
[0060] Another advantage achieved by the present invention is that by simply providing the
side walls 17a, 17b with a reference scale T, the hinge adjustment can be repeated
exactly on a plurality of hinges. Thus, for example, the scale T can be used to quickly
and easily adjust both the hinges 4 of the oven 1 by aligning the respective hooking
elements 15 with the same mark on each of the reference scales T.
[0061] Furthermore, the ease with which they can be adjusted makes the hinges according
to the invention, advantageously, especially suitable for use on the doors of dishwashers,
particularly fitted dishwashers, which are often covered with panels made of any of
a wide range of materials and which thus vary greatly in weight.
[0062] The invention described has evident industrial applications and can be subject to
modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive
concept. All the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent
elements.
1. A hinge for doors (3), in particular for domestic appliances (1) such as ovens, dishwashers
or the like, of the type comprising:
- a first box-shaped structure (5) attachable to a frame (2);
- a second box-shaped structure (6) attachable to the door (3) and extending principally
along an axis (B);
- a lever (7) connecting the first and second structures (5, 6) to each other, the
second structure (6) being pivoted on a pin (10) connected to the lever (7) and being
able to be tilted about said pin (10) at least between a closed position and an open
position of the door (3);
- at least one elastic element (31) operatively connected to the second box-shaped
structure (6) and designed to be elastically deformed in such way as to produce an
elastic reaction that opposes the opening of the door (3); and
- means (30) for adjusting the intensity of the elastic reaction comprising a cam-like
member (19) designed to adopt a plurality of different positions each corresponding
to a different deformed configuration of the elastic element (31); the elastic element
(31) being a helical spring (13) extending lengthways in a direction parallel to the
principal axis (B) along which the second box-shaped structure (6) extends, the hinge
being characterised in that the cam-like member (19) operatively engages the helical spring (13) and is designed
to modify the latter's longitudinal extension; in that the cam-like member (19) is pivoted on the second box-shaped structure (6) and is
rotatable about a respective axis of rotation (R) that is substantially perpendicular
to the axis (B) along which the second structure (6) itself extends; and in that it comprises an element (15) for hooking the spring (13), said hooking element (15)
being slidably engaged with respective guide means (29) made on the second box-shaped
structure (6) so as to vary its position along the principal axis (B) of extension.
2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the cam-like member (19) comprises at least one eccentric profile (26) designed to
engage the hooking element (15) to produce the positive movement of the element (15)
itself in a direction (V) along the principal axis (B) of extension.
3. The hinge according to claim 2, characterised in that the eccentric profile (26) of the cam-like member (19) comprises a plurality of recesses
(27) for accommodating a portion (15a, 15b) of the hooking element (15), which are
held securely in said recesses by the elastic reaction applied by the spring (13).
4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterised in that the recesses (27) are made in the profile (26) and are arranged in succession at
increasing radial distances from the axis of rotation (R).
5. The hinge according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that the adjustment means (30) comprise an actuating element (25) for rotationally driving
the cam-like member (19).
6. The hinge according to claim 5, characterised in that the actuating element (25) comprises a control head (23) positioned at least partially
outside the second box-shaped structure (6) and designed to engage with a respective
tool (24).
7. A door, in particular for domestic appliances such as ovens, dishwashers or the like,
characterised in that it comprises at least one hinge (4) made according to any of the foregoing claims
from 1 to 6.
1. Türscharnier (3), insbesondere für Haushaltsgeräte (1) wie Öfen, Geschirrspüler oder
dergleichen, der Art die Folgendes beinhaltet:
- eine erste kastenförmige Struktur (5) zur Befestigung an einem Rahmen (2);
- eine zweite kastenförmige Struktur (6) zur Befestigung an der Tür (3), die sich
hauptsächlich entlang einer Achse (B) erstreckt;
- einen Hebel (7), der die erste und zweite Struktur (5, 6) miteinander verbindet,
wobei die zweite Struktur (6) drehbar auf einem mit dem Hebel (7) verbundenen Zapfen
(10) gelagert ist und um diesen Zapfen (10) schwenkbar beweglich ist, zumindest zwischen
einer geschlossenen Stellung und einer geöffneten Stellung der Tür (3);
- zumindest ein elastisches Element (31), das mit der zweiten kastenförmige Struktur
(6) wirkverbunden und dafür ausgelegt ist, derart elastisch verformt zu werden, dass
eine elastische Gegenwirkung erzeugt wird, die der Öffnung der Tür (3) entgegenwirkt;
und
- Mittel (30) zur Regulierung der Stärke der elastischen Gegenwirkung, die ein nockenartiges
Organ (19) beinhalten, das dafür ausgelegt ist, mehrere verschiedene Stellungen einzunehmen,
die jeweils einer unterschiedlichen verformten Konfiguration des elastischen Elementes
(31) entsprechen;
wobei das elastische Element (31) eine Schraubenfeder (13) ist, die sich längs in
einer Richtung parallel zu der Hauptachse (B) erstreckt, entlang der sich die zweite
kastenförmige Struktur (6) ausdehnt, wobei das Scharnier
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass das nockenartige Organ (19) in Wirkverbindung in die Schraubenfeder (13) eingreift
und dafür ausgelegt ist, deren Längsausdehnung zu ändern;
dass das nockenartige Organ (19) drehbar auf der zweiten kastenförmigen Struktur (6)
gelagert und um eine entsprechende Drehachse (R) schwenkbar ist, die im Wesentlichen
perpendikular zu der Achse (B) verläuft, entlang der sich die zweite Struktur (6)
erstreckt;
und dass es ferner ein Element (15) zum Einhaken der Feder (13) beinhaltet, wobei
das Hakenelement (15) gleitbar in entsprechende Führungsmittel (29) eingreift, die
auf der zweiten kastenförmigen Struktur (6) ausgebildet sind, um seine Stellung entlang
der Hauptachse (B) der Ausdehnung zu verändern.
2. Scharnier nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das nockenartige Organ (19) zumindest ein exzentrisches Profil (26) beinhaltet, das
dafür ausgelegt ist, in das Hakenelement (15) einzugreifen, um die positive Bewegung
des Elementes (15) in einer Richtung (V) entlang der Hauptachse (B) der Ausdehnung
zu erzeugen.
3. Scharnier nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das exzentrische Profil (26) des nockenartigen Organs (19) mehrere Aussparungen (27)
zur Aufnahme eines Abschnittes (15a, 15b) des Hakenelementes (15) beinhaltet, welches
durch die von der Feder (13) ausgeübten elastischen Gegenwirkung sicher in diesen
Aussparungen gehalten wird.
4. Scharnier nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Aussparungen (27) in dem Profil (26) ausgebildet sind und aufeinanderfolgend
in zunehmenden radialen Abständen von der Drehachse (R) angeordnet sind.
5. Scharnier nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Regulierungsmittel (30) ein Betätigungselement (25) zum drehenden Antrieb des
nockenartigen Organs (19) beinhalten.
6. Scharnier nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Betätigungselement (25) einen Steuerkopf (23) beinhaltet, der zumindest teilweise
außerhalb der zweiten kastenförmigen Struktur (6) angeordnet und für den Eingriff
mit einem entsprechenden Werkzeug (24) ausgelegt ist.
7. Tür, insbesondere für Haushaltsgeräte wie Öfen, Geschirrspülmaschinen oder dergleichen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie zumindest ein Scharnier (4) beinhaltet, das gemäß der vorgehenden Ansprüche 1
bis 6 hergestellt ist.
1. Une charnière pour portes (3), en particulier pour appareils ménagers (1) tels que
fours, lave-vaisselle ou similaires, du type comprenant .
- une première structure-boîtier (5) pouvant être fixée à un châssis (2) ;
- une deuxième structure-boîtier (6) pouvant être fixée à la porte (3) et s'étendant
principalement le long d'un axe (B) ;
- un levier (7) reliant entre elles les première et deuxième structures (5, 6), la
deuxième structure (6) étant montée de façon pivotante sur une broche (10) reliée
au levier (7) et pouvant être ouverte en abattant autour de ladite broche (10) au
moins entre une position de fermeture et une position d'ouverture de la porte (3)
;
- au moins un élément élastique (31) opérationnellement relié à la deuxième structure-boîtier
(6) et destiné à être élastiquement déformé de manière à générer une réaction élastique
qui s'oppose à l'ouverture de la porte (3) ; et
- des moyens (30) servant à régler l'intensité de ladite réaction élastique, comprenant
un organe à came (19) destiné à prendre une pluralité de positions différentes correspondant,
chacune, à une configuration déformée différente de l'élément élastique (31), tel
élément élastique (31) étant un ressort hélicoïdal (13) s'étendant longitudinalement
dans une direction parallèle à l'axe principal (B) d'extension de la deuxième structure-boîtier
(6), la charnière étant caractérisée en ce que l'organe à came (19) assujettit opérationnellement le ressort hélicoïdal (13) et
est destiné à modifier l'extension longitudinale de ce dernier ; en ce que l'organe à came (19) est monté de façon pivotante sur la deuxième structure-boîtier
(6) et peut tourner autour d'un axe de rotation (R) respectif qui est essentiellement
perpendiculaire à l'axe (B) d'extension de cette même deuxième structure (6) ; et
en ce qu'elle comprend un élément (15) d'accrochage du ressort (13), ledit élément d'accrochage
(15) étant en prise coulissante avec des moyens de guidage (29) respectifs, réalisés
sur la deuxième structure-boîtier (6), de manière à en faire varier la position le
long de l'axe principal (B) d'extension.
2. La charnière selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'organe à came (19) comprend au moins un profil excentrique (26) destiné à assujettir
l'élément d'accrochage (15) pour générer le mouvement positif de l'élément (15) lui-même
dans une direction (V) le long de l'axe principal (B) d'extension.
3. La charnière selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le profil excentrique (26) de l'organe à came (19) comprend une pluralité de renfoncements
(27) destinés à loger une portion (15a, 15b) de l'élément d'accrochage (15), qui sont
maintenues stablement dans lesdits renfoncements par la réaction élastique appliquée
par le ressort (13).
4. La charnière selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que les renfoncements (27) sont réalisés dans le profil (26) et sont disposés en succession
à des distances radiales croissantes par rapport à l'axe de rotation (R).
5. La charnière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de réglage (30) comprennent un élément d'actionnement (25) pour la mise
en rotation de l'organe à came (19).
6. La charnière selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que l'élément d'actionnement (25) comprend une tête de commande (23) positionnée au moins
partiellement à l'extérieur de la deuxième structure-boîtier (6) et destinée à venir
en prise avec un outil (24) respectif.
7. Une porte, en particulier pour appareils ménagers tels que fours, lave-vaisselle ou
similaires, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins une charnière (4) réalisée selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes de 1 à 6.