Cooling Device Storage Container with Gear-Controlled Tilting Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotatably forward-opening storage containers in cooling devices tend to fall uncontrollably due to gravity, leading to damage of contents, and existing solutions either restrict access or occupy valuable storage space.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a storage container that tilts forward, utilizing a pinion gear-gearwheel pair and a coil spring mechanism to control the opening motion, ensuring soft and controlled operation, and a locking mechanism for secure closure, preventing rapid opening and maintaining access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the storage container is designed to open by tilting forward for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the storage container falls uncontrollably due to gravity causing damage to contents
Solution Approach 1:
A pinion gear-gearwheel pair is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the storage container and its support structure. The gear path is disposed on the outer wall of the storage container and the pinion gear on the inner wall of the chamber, with teeth engaged together. This mechanical intermediary converts the uncontrolled gravitational tilting motion into a controlled rotational movement through gear engagement, preventing the storage container from falling uncontrollably while maintaining the ease of forward-opening access.
2Reliability
If housings are provided to limit forward movement and prevent uncontrollable opening, then the reliability is improved, but the access to the rear of the door basket becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion gear-gearwheel mechanism serves as a mediator that enables full accessibility while maintaining controlled movement. Unlike housings that physically block movement, the gear engagement allows the storage container to rotate freely through the gear path, providing complete access to the rear while the interlocking teeth prevent uncontrollable rapid motion. The gear mechanism controls the motion rather than restricting the range of access.
3Reliability
If the base of the drawer is shaped with uneven surfaces to control rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the storage space is occupied and volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pinion gear-gearwheel pair transfers the control function from the storage container's base to an external intermediary mechanism. The gear path on the container wall and pinion gear on the chamber wall handle the control of rotation, allowing the base to remain flat and maximize storage volume. The uneven control surfaces are external to the storage container, preserving internal space while achieving controlled rotation through the gear engagement.
4Reliability
If friction during gear motion is increased to maintain controlled opening, then the reliability is improved, but the energy required to open the storage container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction that would normally be considered a harmful resistance is converted into a beneficial controlled damping force. The gear engagement creates controlled friction between the pinion gear teeth and gear path, which dissipates the gravitational potential energy of the tilting storage container in a controlled manner. This converts the potentially harmful rapid gravitational acceleration into a slow, controlled rotation, preventing damage while requiring minimal additional energy input from the user.
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 storage container opens and closes controllably, preventing damage to contents and maintaining a spacious interior, allowing safe and convenient usage.
Implementation Method 1
The motion of the gear path provides the pinion gear to rotate and the friction during this motion maintains the storage container to be opened controllably and softly.
Implementation Method 2
The coil spring is wound by the motion of the storage container while closing, storing energy and spends this stored energy by rotating the storage container while opening.
Implementation Method 3
a locking mechanism that locks the storage container in that position when brought to the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a storage container (4) that opens controllably by tilting forward. The cooling device (1) comprises a pinion gear (6) that moves in the opposite direction while the storage container (4) is opening and a gear path (6) whereon this pinion gear (6) moves for maintaining controlled motion.