Bottom-Freezer Sliding Door Assembly for Easy Drawer Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In bottom freezer type refrigerators, users face difficulties in accessing the freezing chamber due to the need to bend and apply excessive force to pull out the door and receiving box, which reduces user convenience and efficiency, and existing motor-driven solutions compromise storage volume and heat shield effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a sliding door and receiving box assembly with a driving motor mounted on the slide assembly, allowing automatic drawing in and out of the door and box upon user input, with power interruption controlling the door's movement to prevent complete opening and avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor-driven solution is used to automatically draw out the receiving box, then user convenience is improved, but storage volume is reduced and heat shield effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the main refrigerator body and relocated to the wheel assembly, allowing the receiving box to be pulled out without the motor occupying valuable storage space within the refrigerator chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pulling action and the receiving box movement, enabling automatic drawing out function while maintaining storage volume through external motor placement
2Ease of operation
If a motor-driven solution is used to automatically draw out the receiving box, then user convenience is improved, but heat shield performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the heat shield area and positioned externally on the wheel assembly, preventing any degradation of heat shield effectiveness while maintaining the automatic drawing out function
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly acts as an intermediary that enables the automatic drawing out function without compromising the heat shield, as the motor is positioned outside the thermal barrier zone
3Reliability
If the door and receiving box are made heavy with magnetic sealing members, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the force required to pull them out increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly with motor provides self-service by automatically generating the force needed to overcome the magnetic sealing resistance, eliminating the need for users to apply excessive manual force while maintaining strong sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical pulling action is replaced with an automated motor-driven system that provides the necessary force to overcome magnetic sealing, reducing user effort while maintaining seal integrity
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 easy access to the freezing chamber without excessive force, maintains storage volume, and prevents damage from collisions, while ensuring efficient heat shield performance.
Implementation Method 1
a driving motor which provides a driving force for moving the door
Implementation Method 2
the inside of the sealing member may include a close adhesion member such as a magnet, so that when the door is closed and the receiving box is positioned within the freezing chamber, it is closely adhered to the main body of the refrigerator by magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and a method for controlling such a refrigerator is provided in which a receiving box may be automatically drawn in and out together with a door that forms a front face thereof in response to a command input at an input unit, thereby increasing user convenience.