Improved assembly for a closable compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closable compartments in refrigerators and freezers face issues with loose coupling leading to difficult cover control and noise, or tight coupling requiring two hands and causing scratching noise, and existing solutions with improved movement control are expensive.

Innovation Solution

A plastic compartment assembly with a bumper element made of polymeric material, including PTFE, that interposes between the fixed and movable parts, featuring a hinge system with a second pin and slot configuration to provide controlled movement and friction modulation, allowing single-handed operation without noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wide tolerances are used for easy connection and disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but the closure movement control deteriorates and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connection and disconnectionVSAvoidclosure movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A bumper element made of polymeric material with PTFE is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed and movable parts. This bumper element provides controlled friction to improve closure movement control while maintaining easy connection and disconnection, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If small tolerances are used to obtain interference coupling, then closure movement control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and requires two hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure movement controlVSAvoidsingle-handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper element changes the friction parameter between the movable and fixed parts. By providing controlled friction through the polymeric material with PTFE, it enables good closure movement control while maintaining low enough friction to allow single-handed operation, unlike tight interference coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If interference coupling is used to control movement, then closure movement control is improved, but harmful noise increases due to scratching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure movement controlVSAvoidscratching noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper element modifies the friction parameter to provide controlled resistance for movement control while preventing the high-friction scratching contact between plastic parts. The polymeric material with PTFE reduces scratching noise while maintaining movement control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bumper element acts as a mediator between the movable and fixed parts, preventing direct contact and scratching noise while providing sufficient friction for movement control. This intermediary layer eliminates the harmful scratching sound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If expensive gear systems are used to improve movement control, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper element is a simple, inexpensive polymeric component with PTFE that replaces expensive gear systems. This cheap component provides sufficient movement control functionality without the high manufacturing cost of mechanical gear systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The bumper element replaces complex mechanical gear systems with a simple friction-based polymeric component. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive gears while providing effective movement control through controlled friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution enables improved control of opening and closing operations with single-hand use, reduces noise, and prevents damage by modulating friction, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive gear systems.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2778579B1Improved assembly for a closable compartment

Publication Date: 2021.07.21 WHIRLPOOL CORP

Figure 1A~2B
Figure 2C~4B
Figure 5~7

AI summary

A closable dairy compartment assembly with an improved control of the position of the cover implemented with an additional plastic component.