Refrigerator Dispenser Frame With Adjustable Inner Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for built-in refrigerators with dispenser openings face challenges in aligning decor plate openings with the dispenser, requiring adjustable suspension and resulting in material wastage and potential damage to frame pieces during fitting, especially when dealing with varying decor plate thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
A frame piece composed of a cover piece and an inner sleeve, where the inner sleeve can be adjusted in length to fit decor plates of different thicknesses, allowing the frame piece to be used without modification in most cases, with optional inner sleeve supply to save material and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a frame piece with a fixed-length sleeve is used to fit into the opening of the decor plate, then the alignment between the opening and dispenser opening can be achieved, but the frame piece cannot be used with decor plates of varying thickness without modification
Solution Approach 1:
The frame piece is divided into two separate components: a cover piece and an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve can be selectively inserted into the cover piece to match different decor plate thicknesses. This segmentation allows the same cover piece to work with multiple sleeve lengths, providing adaptability without requiring multiple complete frame pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover piece is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different inner sleeve lengths. By making the cover piece multi-functional to work with various sleeve configurations, the system achieves versatility across different decor plate thicknesses while minimizing the number of unique parts required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sleeve with predetermined breaking point is provided to shorten it for thinner decor plates, then adaptability to different thicknesses is achieved, but material wastage occurs and the frame piece may be damaged during shortening
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring on-site shortening of the sleeve, the patent provides multiple pre-manufactured inner sleeves of different lengths. The appropriate sleeve length is selected in advance based on the decor plate thickness, eliminating the need for breaking or shortening operations that cause material wastage and potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes the parameter of sleeve length from a single fixed value to multiple discrete values. By manufacturing sleeves with different predetermined lengths rather than requiring modification of a single sleeve, the system achieves adaptability without material loss or damage risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable suspension mounting is provided for the decor plate, then the position can be aligned with adjacent units, but precise alignment of the opening with the dispenser opening becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The frame piece is divided into a cover piece and an inner sleeve that can be independently positioned. The inner sleeve extends into the decor plate opening while the cover piece provides the external mounting interface. This segmentation allows the opening position to be precisely determined by the inner sleeve while the cover piece can be adjusted for alignment with adjacent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the decor plate opening and the cover piece. It precisely defines the opening position relative to the dispenser while the cover piece serves as the adjustable interface for alignment with surrounding units, resolving the conflict between precise positioning and adjustable alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A built-in refrigerator having a housing formed with a front dispenser opening therein, the refrigerator including a frame member for surrounding an opening in a decor plate covering at least a portion of a front side of the housing and disposed in front of the dispenser opening, wherein the frame member is formed as a cover piece overlapping the edges of the opening, and an inner sleeve arranged between the cover piece and the front side of the housing.