Installation device and built-in refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of built-in refrigerators is challenging due to uneven stress causing the box body to skew and move in a winding manner, making it difficult to get in and out of the installation space, leading to increased difficulty and time in the installation process.

Innovation Solution

The use of a guide block with a groove parallel to the front-back extension direction of the refrigerator, matched with a guide rail on the ground, along with pulley assemblies to reduce friction, and an auxiliary installation assembly that includes a rail assembly and positioning member to guide the refrigerator into the space in a straight line, ensuring it moves along a preset path and can be easily aligned with the cabinet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the refrigerator is pushed into the installation space from the front side, then the refrigerator can be installed in the cabinet, but the box body skews and moves in a winding manner due to uneven stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation easeVSAvoidPositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide rails and guide blocks as intermediary elements between the refrigerator and the installation space. The guide rails are pre-installed on the ground, and the guide blocks are attached to the refrigerator bottom, creating a mediator system that guides the refrigerator along a predetermined straight-line path during installation, thereby preventing skewing and winding movements caused by uneven stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails are pre-installed on the ground before the refrigerator is moved into position. This preliminary action establishes a fixed reference path that ensures the refrigerator will move straight into the installation space, eliminating the need for manual alignment and preventing positioning errors during the actual installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the refrigerator is moved manually into the installation space, then the installation can be completed, but the installation process becomes very difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation efficiencyVSAvoidInstallation device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The installation system is segmented into distinct components: guide rails fixed to the ground, guide blocks attached to the refrigerator, and pulley assemblies for assistance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining ease of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails and guide blocks act as intermediary mechanisms that automate the alignment process. Instead of requiring manual manipulation and adjustment, the intermediary system automatically guides the refrigerator along the correct path, significantly reducing installation time and effort without adding complex active control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the refrigerator is pushed into a tight-fitting installation space, then the refrigerator fits within the cabinet, but the box body cannot be easily pulled out for adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation space utilizationVSAvoidAdjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide blocks are designed with movable characteristics that allow them to slide along the guide rails. This dynamic design enables the refrigerator to be easily moved forward into the tight-fitting space while also allowing it to be pulled back out for adjustment by simply applying force to the front, as the guide blocks will naturally slide back along the rails without requiring complex extraction mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution simplifies and speeds up the installation process by allowing the refrigerator to move in a fixed direction, reducing the risk of skewing and winding movements, thereby reducing installation difficulty and improving the alignment and aesthetics of the refrigerator within the cabinet.

Implementation Method 1

the groove is configured to match a guide rail portion pre-installed on the ground where the installation space is located, to limit the refrigerator to move in the front-back direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint through groove-rail matching:

Implementation Method 2

A plurality of pulley assemblies are disposed in the intervals between the plurality of guide blocks and are configured to slide along the surface of the guide rail portion to decrease frictional resistance generated when the refrigerator moves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction through pulley mechanism: Pulley

Implementation Method 3

the back portion of the first guide block is formed with a bell mouth expanding backward from a lateral side wall of the groove, and the bell mouth is configured to be assembled with one side of the guide rail portion that faces the outside of the installation space, to guide the refrigerator onto the guide rail portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric guidance through bell mouth shape: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP4056936B1Installation device and built-in refrigerator
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 QINDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4056936B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056936B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4056936B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An installation device (100) for a built-in refrigerator, comprising: a fixing frame (240), provided on a bottom plate of a refrigerator (10) in a front-back extension direction of the refrigerator (10); and at least one guide block, disposed on the fixing frame (240), the bottom of the guide block being provided with a groove (212) parallel to the front-back extension direction of the refrigerator (10), and the groove (212) being configured to match a guide rail part (512) pre-installed on the ground where an installation space is located, to limit the refrigerator (10) to move in the front-back direction, so that the refrigerator (10) can move backward along a preset path to reach an installation position.