Refrigerator Basket Lift Structure With Locking for Stable Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators require users to bend or crouch to access baskets at lower portions, causing inconvenience when retrieving or storing food.
Innovation Solution
A basket lift apparatus that elevates the basket using a lifting frame, driving arm, and locking unit, allowing the basket to be lifted and stably fixed in an elevated position, eliminating the need for users to bend or crouch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the basket is arranged at a lower portion of the refrigerator body, then the refrigerator structure is compact and space-efficient, but the user must bend or crouch to access the basket causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The basket position is made dynamic through a lifting mechanism that can elevate the basket from a lower position to an upper accessible position. The lifting frame, driven by a motor through a driving arm, enables the basket to move vertically between stored and accessible states, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
A lifting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the basket. The lifting frame, driving arm, and motor system serve as a mediating structure that eliminates the need for the user to bend or crouch, transferring the mechanical work of elevation from the user's body to the motorized system.
2Ease of operation
If a lifting mechanism is added to elevate the basket, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into distinct functional modules: a lifting frame for support, a driving arm for motion transmission, a motor for power, and a locking unit for position maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while making the overall system more manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking unit provides self-service functionality by automatically maintaining the basket in its lifted position without continuous power input. The locking protrusion and groove mechanism engages passively to hold the basket elevated, eliminating the need for continuous motor operation and reducing system complexity for position maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the basket is lifted to an elevated position, then user accessibility is improved, but the basket stability may be compromised without proper locking
Solution Approach 1:
A locking unit acts as an intermediary between the lifting mechanism and the basket to ensure stability. The locking protrusion on the driving arm engages with a locking groove on the lifting frame, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents unintended basket movement while maintaining the elevated position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by preemptively preventing the basket from descending or moving unintentionally once lifted. The engagement of the locking protrusion and groove creates a counter-force that opposes any gravitational or load-induced movement, ensuring basket stability in the elevated position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user convenience by allowing food to be accessed without bending, stabilizing the lifted basket state to prevent trembling and maintain the elevated position effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a driving arm roll-motioned at a lower surface of the lifting frame and hinge-connected to the door, for lifting the lifting frame
Implementation Method 2
a roller roll-motioned at the lifting frame
Implementation Method 3
a locking unit installed at the lifting frame, for maintaining a lifted state of the basket by locking the driving arm when the lifting frame is lifted up
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having a basket lift apparatus comprises: a body having cooling chambers for storing food; a basket arranged at the lower cooling chamber arranged at a lower portion of the body to be movable back and forth, and having a door at a front side thereof; a lifting frame arranged at a rear surface of the door to be movable up and down and on which the basket is placed; a driving arm roll-motioned at a lower surface of the lifting frame and hinge-connected to the door, for lifting the lifting frame; a driving unit for rotating the driving arm; and a locking unit installed at the lifting frame, for maintaining a lifted state of the basket by locking the driving arm when the lifting frame is lifted up.