Cooling Door Opening Mechanism for Vacuum-Resistant Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door opening mechanisms in cooling devices face difficulties due to inefficient force transmission, making it hard to open doors when a vacuum occurs due to temperature differences, as the limited area for movement transmission mechanisms restricts effective operation.

Innovation Solution

A door opening mechanism featuring a handle that rotates to activate an extension with a geared portion, a transmission member with a geared surface and cam surface, and a latch with a pusher, allowing efficient movement transmission to separate the door from the body, reducing the force required to open the door by optimizing gear ratios and motion arcs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If rotational movement of the handle is converted into linear movement through conventional mechanisms, then the door can be opened, but the force exerted by the user cannot be transmitted efficiently and the mechanism members cannot be used effectively due to limited area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening easeVSAvoidmechanism efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission member is designed to rotate dynamically, converting the rotational movement of the extension into rotational movement of the latch through its own rotation. This dynamic approach allows efficient force transmission within the limited space, as the rotating transmission member can amplify the user's input force and transmit it effectively to the latch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission member acts as an intermediary between the extension and the latch. It receives rotational movement from the extension via its geared surface and transmits controlled rotational movement to the latch via its cam surface. This intermediary component enables efficient force transmission by mediating the motion conversion in a compact manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the area for movement transmission mechanisms is limited, then the device can be compact, but the members of the mechanism cannot be used effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism volumeVSAvoidmechanism effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission member utilizes rotational movement in a different dimensional approach compared to conventional linear conversion mechanisms. By rotating the transmission member between the extension and latch, the system achieves effective force transmission within a compact volume, as rotation allows for more efficient space utilization than linear actuation in confined areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the motion parameter from linear to rotational through the rotating transmission member. This parameter change allows the mechanism to operate more effectively within limited space, as rotational mechanisms can achieve greater mechanical advantage and force transmission efficiency in compact configurations compared to linear mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a conventional handle mechanism is used, then the structure can be simple, but opening the door becomes difficult when vacuum occurs due to temperature difference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism structureVSAvoiddoor opening difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic rotation of the transmission member provides a mechanical advantage that amplifies the user's input force on the handle. This dynamic rotational mechanism, rather than a simple static linkage, enables the system to overcome the vacuum force holding the door closed, making door opening easier while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission member serves as a mediator that receives the user's input force through the extension and transforms it into effective force on the latch. This intermediary rotational mechanism provides the necessary force amplification to overcome vacuum conditions, bridging the gap between simple handle operation and effective door opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy door opening with reduced force exertion, preventing sudden door movement and improving the mechanism's efficiency and assembly convenience, while maintaining a sleek appearance and reducing packaging volume.

Implementation Method 1

an extension (8) with at least some portion in geared form, extending from the handle (5) towards the body (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a transmission member (9)... with a geared surface (11) that contacts the gears on the extension (8) and a cam surface (12) that rotates the latch (6) by sliding on the latch (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 3

The pusher provides the door to be pushed outwards by bearing against a surface on the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2798135B1A cooling device comprising a door opening mechanism
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2798135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798135B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2798135B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) wherein the objects to be cooled are placed, at least one door (3) providing access into the body (2) and a door opening mechanism (4) situated on each door (3), having a handle (5) that rotates around the axis parallel to the short side of the door (3) and that the user moves to open the door (3), an extension (8) with at least some portion in geared form, extending from the handle (5) towards the body (2) parallel to the side wall of the door (3) and moving together with the handle (5), a latch (6) actuated by the movement of the handle (5) having a pusher (7) disposed at the end portion, providing the door (3) to separate from the body (2) and a transmission member (9) that transmits the movement of the extension (8) to the latch (6), and wherein the door (3) thereof can be easily opened and closed.