Crisper Drawer Cover Control With Three Locking Moisture Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household refrigeration appliances lack user-friendly mechanisms for actuating the cover of fresh food containers, leading to inadequate control over moisture levels, which affects the freshness and storage duration of stored goods.

Innovation Solution

A household refrigeration appliance with a rotary operating element that can be locked in three positions (closed, open, and intermediate) using a disc-shaped base body with circular segment guide tracks, providing precise control over moisture levels and featuring a mechanical display unit for symbolic moisture content indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple open/close mechanism is used for the cover, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of moisture level control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover actuation mechanismVSAvoidmoisture level control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The operating element is divided into three distinct locking positions (first position for closed cover, second position for open cover, third position for intermediate cover position), allowing precise moisture control through segmented position control rather than continuous adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operating element transitions from a static binary open/close state to a dynamic multi-position system with three lockable states, enabling adaptive moisture control based on different storage needs while maintaining mechanical simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a multi-position locking mechanism is implemented, then the precision of moisture level control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture level controlVSAvoidcover actuation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating element incorporates self-locking functionality where each of the three positions automatically locks into place through the locking element engaging with the guide track, eliminating the need for external locking mechanisms or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide track is designed with curved sections that guide the locking element through three distinct positions, using the geometry of the curved path to naturally guide and lock the operating element in each position without additional mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Measurement precision

If an electronic control system is used for moisture regulation, then the precision of moisture control is improved, but the reliability of the system deteriorates due to potential malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture level controlVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical operating element that uses physical locking positions to control cover opening degrees, eliminating electronics while maintaining precise moisture control through mechanical position sensing and actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a continuous adjustment mechanism is used for the cover position, then the adaptability to different moisture needs is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture level adjustment rangeVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous adjustment range is segmented into three practical positions that cover the essential moisture control needs (closed for high moisture, intermediate for medium moisture, open for low moisture), making the system as easy to operate as a simple switch while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the operating element's rotation path correspond to different moisture control needs, with each locking position optimized for specific storage scenarios, allowing users to select the appropriate local setting without managing continuous complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3077739B1Household refrigerator comprising an operating element which is lockable in three different positions for displacing a cover of a keep-fresh container

Publication Date: 2018.03.21 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic cooling appliance comprising a food-receiving inner chamber (4, 5) that is delimited by walls of an inner container (3), a crisper drawer (8) for food, said drawer being arranged in said inner chamber (4, 5) and can be closed with a cover (9), a mounting device (12) with which said cover (9) is mounted in the inner chamber (4, 5) such that it can be raised and lowered for the purpose of opening and closing said crisper drawer (8), and a control element (13) with which the cover (9) can be actuated, said control element (13) can be actuated on an actuation path in order to actuate the cover (9) and can be stopped in at least three different positions along said actuation path such that, depending on a position of the control element (13), said cover (9) can be positioned in a first closed position, a second fully-opened position or an intermediate position between the end positions.