Refrigerator Door Front Fastening Around an Ice/Water Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in refrigerators with ice and water dispensers are limited to specific door designs, making it impossible to seamlessly integrate them into existing kitchen furniture decor, as existing fastening solutions do not accommodate the dispenser's protrusion.
Innovation Solution
A fastening arrangement for a furniture front to a built-in refrigerator door with an ice/water dispenser, using conventional retaining fittings and adjustable elements to secure the front while allowing for alignment with adjacent furniture, ensuring the dispenser protrudes through a recess and utilizing a double-threaded bolt for precise adjustment without impairing the appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a recess is created in the furniture front for the ice water dispenser, then the dispenser can protrude through the furniture front, but the furniture front is weakened by the recess
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining fitting is introduced as an intermediary element between the furniture front and the ice water dispenser. The retaining fitting is fastened directly adjacent to the recess in the furniture front, providing structural reinforcement to the weakened area while enabling the dispenser to protrude through the furniture front without compromising the overall strength of the front panel.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional retaining fittings are used, then the fitter already knows the type of attachment and no differentiation is necessary, but the furniture front cannot be adjusted to align with adjacent furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining fitting is equipped with adjusting elements that enable dynamic adjustment of the furniture front position. These adjusting elements allow the furniture front to be moved and aligned with adjacent built-in furniture during or after assembly, transforming a static attachment system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different installation scenarios while maintaining the simplicity of using conventional retaining fittings.
3Ease of operation
If adjustment openings are added to the furniture front for adjusting the retaining fitting, then the position can be adjusted, but the appearance of the furniture front is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the furniture front serves multiple functions: it allows the ice water dispenser to protrude through the furniture front and simultaneously provides access to the adjusting elements on the retaining fitting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment openings, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the furniture front while enabling easy adjustment of the furniture front position to align with adjacent furniture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for fastening a furniture front to a door of a built-in refrigerator. Said system comprises at least two retaining fittings interposed between the back of the furniture front and the front of the door of the built-in refrigerator. According to the invention, an ice/water dispenser is provided on the door of the built-in refrigerator, said dispenser being actuatable through a recess in the furniture front, one of the retaining fittings being arranged directly next to the dispenser between the door and the furniture front.