# US 2022/0034577 A1 · Multi-joint link hinge and refrigerator including the same

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- Number: US 2022/0034577 A1
- Document ID: US20220034577A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/339,553
- Filed: 2021-06-04
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30
- Assignees: LG Electronics Inc.; Eptech Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: LG Electronics Inc.; EPTech Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Changseok Oh; Chunho Byun
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034577A1

## CPC

- E05D 3/16: with seven parallel pins and four arms
- F25D 23/028: {Details}
- E05D 3/06: with two or more pins (E05D7/08 takes precedence)
- E05D 7/12: to allow easy detachment of the hinge from the wing or the frame {(E05D15/507 takes precedence)}
- E05D 11/0054: {Covers, e.g. for protection}
- E05D 2007/128: {in a radial direction}
- E05D 2011/0072: {for the gap between hinge parts}
- E05Y 2600/52: Toolless
- E05Y 2600/528: Hooking, e.g. using bayonets; Locking
- E05Y 2600/56: Positioning, e.g. re-positioning, or pre-mounting
- E05Y 2600/622: Dowels; Pins
- E05Y 2800/41: against finger injury
- E05Y 2900/31: for refrigerators
- F25D 2323/024: Door hinges
- E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00)
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A multi-joint link hinge includes a hinge bracket, a plurality of links axially coupled to the hinge bracket, and a door bracket coupled to the plurality of links. The hinge bracket includes a base portion that defines a plurality of screw coupling holes at a vertical surface thereof, a plurality of side portions that extend from the base portion in a horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, and a side surface portion that extends from the base portion in the vertical direction and defines a fixing groove. The plurality of links are coupled between the plurality of side portions along an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The multi-joint link hinge is used for a home appliance including refrigerators.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-joint link hinge comprising:
a hinge bracket comprising:
a base portion that defines a plurality of screw coupling holes at a vertical surface thereof,
a plurality of side portions that extend from the base portion in a horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, and
a side surface portion that extends from the base portion in the vertical direction and defines a fixing groove;
a plurality of links coupled between the plurality of side portions along an axis that extends in the vertical direction; and
a door bracket coupled to the plurality of links.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-joint link hinge according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling member that passes through one of the plurality of screw coupling holes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The multi-joint link hinge according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation shaft that passes through the plurality of links,
wherein the door bracket is configured to face the hinge bracket, the door bracket defining a door bracket hole at each of top and bottom surfaces thereof, and
wherein the rotation shaft passes through the door bracket holes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The multi-joint link hinge according to claim 1,
wherein the plurality of links comprise:
a main link rotatably disposed at the hinge bracket;
a first sub-link rotatably coupled to a first side of the main link; and
a second sub-link rotatably coupled to a second side of the main link and spaced apart from the first sub-link.

### Claim 5

A multi-joint link hinge comprising:
a hinge bracket comprising:
a base portion that defines a plurality of screw coupling holes at a vertical surface thereof; and
a plurality of side portions that extend from the base portion in a horizontal direction and are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction;
a plurality of links coupled between the plurality of side portions along an axis that extends in the vertical direction,
a door bracket coupled to the plurality of links, the door bracket defining a door bracket hole at each of top and bottom surfaces thereof; and
a rotation shaft that passes through the plurality of links and the door bracket holes, the rotation shaft protruding from the top and bottom surfaces of the door bracket.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The multi-joint link hinge according to claim 5, further comprising a hinge plate that is disposed above or below the door bracket and defines a plate hole at a position corresponding to one of the door bracket holes, the rotation shaft passing through the plate hole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The multi-joint link hinge according to claim 6, wherein the hinge plate defines a hinge coupling hole that receives a coupling member.

### Claim 8

A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet that defines a storage space;
a cabinet bracket disposed at a top surface of the cabinet or a bottom surface of the cabinet;
a door configured to, based on rotating relative to the cabinet, open and close at least a portion of the storage space; and
a hinge that connects the door to the cabinet, the hinge comprising:
a hinge bracket coupled to the cabinet bracket,
a door bracket disposed at a top surface of the door or a bottom surface of the door, and
a plurality of links coupled between the hinge bracket and the door bracket.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the hinge bracket comprises a base portion and a side surface portion that extends from the base portion, and
wherein the cabinet bracket comprises:
a support portion disposed along the top surface of the cabinet;
a coupling portion that extends upward from a front end of the support portion and is coupled to the base portion of the hinge bracket; and
a fixing portion that extends from one end of the coupling portion and is coupled to the side surface portion of the hinge bracket.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the fixing portion comprises a restriction protrusion that protrudes from each of upper and lower ends of the fixing portion, and
wherein the side surface portion of the hinge bracket defines a fixing groove that receives one of the restriction protrusions.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the door bracket defines a door bracket hole at each of top and bottom surfaces thereof, and
wherein the hinge further comprises a rotation shaft that passes through the door bracket holes and the plurality of links, the rotation shaft protruding from the top and bottom surfaces of the door bracket.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the door defines a hinge mounting portion that is disposed at an end of the door and recessed relative to the top surface of the door or the bottom surface of the door, the hinge mounting portion being configured to mount the hinge, and
wherein the hinge further comprises:
a hinge plate that is disposed on one surface of the hinge mounting portion and screw-coupled to the hinge mounting portion by a coupling member passing though the hinge plate; and
a rotation shaft that passes through the plurality of links and the hinge plate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the door comprises a fixing bracket disposed below the hinge mounting portion and screw-coupled to the hinge plate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of links comprise:
a main link rotatably disposed at the hinge bracket;
a first sub-link rotatably coupled to a first side of the main link; and
a second sub-link rotatably coupled a second side of the main link and spaced apart from the first sub-link.

### Claim 15

A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet that defines a storage space;
a cabinet bracket disposed at a top surface of the cabinet;
a hinge cover that covers the cabinet bracket, the hinge cover defining a cover opening at a front side thereof;
a door configured to, based on rotating relative to the cabinet, open and close at least a portion of the storage space, the door defining a hinge mounting portion recessed from a top surface of the door;
a door bracket disposed at the hinge mounting portion;
a hinge bracket disposed at the cabinet bracket;
a plurality of links that connect the hinge bracket to the door bracket; and
an upper cover disposed at the hinge mounting portion and configured to cover the hinge bracket,
wherein a portion of the upper cover is configured to insert into the cover opening based on the door being closed.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the upper cover is configured to overlap with the top surface of the cabinet based on the door being closed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the hinge mounting portion is defined at an end of the door, and
wherein the upper cover protrudes rearward relative to a rear end of the hinge mounting portion.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The refrigerator according to claim 15, further comprising a lower cover that extends rearward from a bottom surface of the hinge mounting portion and is configured to cover a lower side of the hinge bracket.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the hinge cover is disposed on the top surface of the cabinet and accommodates the cabinet bracket, and
wherein the upper cover has an extending end that is configured to, based on the door being closed, face the cabinet and insert into the cover opening.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the upper cover comprises a plurality of coupling protrusions and a cover rib that extend downward from a bottom surface of the upper cover and are configured to cover a space between the upper cover and the hinge bracket.