A method of manufacturing a door hinge, which can improve productivity by applying both metal injection molding and additive manufacturing is disclosed. The door hinge includes: a first body configured to include at least one first connection member in which a first pinhole is formed; a second body configured to include at least one second connection member in which a second pinhole communicating with the first pinhole is formed; and a pin member configured to be added and filled in a cavity formed by communicating the first pinhole of the first body and the second pinhole of the second body with each other so that the first body and the second body are foldably connected to each other.

The present invention is directed to a 4-bar kinematic link component and method for forming the 4-bar kinematic link using a single rotary molding tool. The invention eliminates the need to form individual components of the bracket from several different tools, which will then requires additional assembly steps. The 4-bar kinematic link is formed from two different materials each having a different in mold shrinkage value. This allows for hinge pins to be formed through a base component in a way that will prevent sticking of the components together thereby allowing the parts to have it relative to one another using the hinge pin. The final component is a 4-bar kinematic link that can be used as a 4 bar link mechanism for providing motion.

The present invention provides a hinge and a refrigerator having the same. The hinge has a fixing plate, a supporting plate perpendicularly connected with the fixing plate, and a hinge shaft perpendicularly mounted on the supporting plate to cooperate with a shaft sleeve, wherein the outside of the hinge shaft is plastic-encapsulated with a plastic encapsulating case, the plastic encapsulating case is provided with a protrusion protruding horizontally outwards along the extension direction of the supporting plate, and the protrusion is integrally formed with the plastic encapsulating case.

Systems and methods of co-printing a unitary hinge are provided. The unitary hinge may be co-printed using an additive manufacturing process. The unitary hinge includes a hinge pin that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The unitary hinge also includes a knuckle which surrounds a portion of the hinge pin and is configured to be manipulated about the hinge pin. The hinge pin is fabricated in situ with the knuckle such that further assembly is unnecessary. The unitary hinge may also include retention mechanism to retain the hinge within the knuckle without substantially restricting the knuckle from being rotated about the hinge pin. The unitary hinge may further be configured with a fluid port which may, for example, be used to provide a lubricant to an area between the hinge pin and the knuckle or to vacuum powder material or debris from the area.

An illumination system includes a light assembly configured to emit light. A hinge assembly is positioned away from the light assembly. A frame bracket, a door bracket and a hinge pin rotatably couple the frame and door brackets. A luminescent structure is positioned on the hinge assembly.

The present invention provides a hinge and a refrigerator having the same. The hinge comprises a fixing plate, a supporting plate perpendicularly connected with the fixing plate, and a hinge shaft perpendicularly mounted on the supporting plate to cooperate with a shaft sleeve, wherein the outside of the hinge shaft is plastic-encapsulated with a plastic encapsulating case, the plastic encapsulating case is provided with a protrusion protruding horizontally outwards along the extension direction of the supporting plate, and the protrusion is integrally formed with the plastic encapsulating case.

An omni-directional connection assembly broadly includes a hinge pin and one or more connection brackets. The hinge pin comprises a base section, a pair of primary walls, and a pair of opposed projections. The primary walls form a primary slot therebetween for receiving an engagement portion of a first panel therein. The opposed projections are spaced from the primary walls and form elongated passageways for allowing the primary walls to bend slightly outward for receiving the engagement portion of the first panel. The connection brackets are U-shaped for being positioned over the hinge pin and including flanges for attaching the connection brackets to a second panel. The first and second panels are then connected together at angles of between 0 and 180 degrees or more.

A method of manufacturing a door hinge, which can improve productivity by applying both metal injection molding and additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes: preparing a first mixture of a first metal powder and a first binder, and a second mixture of a second metal powder and a second binder; molding the first mixture into a first body including a first connection member having a first pinhole; molding the first mixture into a second body including a second connection member having a second pinhole to communicate with the first pinhole; arranging the first body and the second body to align the first pinhole and the second pinhole along an axis to form a cavity; forming a pin member with the second mixture in the cavity by adding up droplets of the second mixture in the cavity; and sintering the first body, the second body, and the pin member.

A hinge element for a large domestic appliance contains a main body as well as a functional body which includes a plastic material. Accordingly, the main body and the functional body are connected to one another non-releasably. Ideally, a large domestic appliance, in particular a large domestic refrigerator, contains a housing in which a receiving space is formed. The domestic appliance has a closure element by which the receiving space can be closed, and the hinge element hingedly attaches the closure element to the housing.

Systems, devices, and methods for operating one or more doors of an enclosure from an open position to a closed position are disclosed. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the opening and closing of a pair of curved double-doors of a float pod. Such opening and closing is achieved via a door hinge attached to the float pod. In some embodiments, the door hinge includes two arms that rotate independently around a central, pivoting shaft. Each of the pair of curved double-doors is attached to one of the two arms, thereby resulting in lateral, sliding movement of the doors towards and away from each other upon rotation of the two arms.