Refrigerator Door Transfer Guide for Hidden Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances, such as refrigerators, face issues with transfer elements like cables or pipes getting damaged due to door closure and being accessible to incompetent users, which affects their operation and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A guiding device is used to manage the transfer element between the appliance body and door without requiring a hinge, featuring a series of bridge elements and pin housings that allow 180-degree pivotal movement, minimizing fatigue and ensuring the transfer element remains hidden and protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transfer element like a pipe or cable remains between the body and the door during opening and closing, then fluid or power transfer is enabled, but the door closure is prevented and the transfer element may be physically damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guiding device movable rather than fixed. The guiding device includes a first section attached to the body, a second section attached to the door, and a movable section that moves relative to both sections during door opening and closing. This dynamic configuration allows the transfer element to be guided through the motion arc without obstruction, enabling both reliable transfer element protection and smooth door closure operation.
2Ease of repair
If the transfer element is easily accessible, then maintenance and replacement are simplified, but the transfer element can be damaged by incompetent persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the transfer element inside a protective guiding device structure. The guiding device has a housing or channel that encloses the transfer element during normal operation, making it inaccessible to unauthorized persons. The design allows the transfer element to be nested within the guiding device's protective structure while still enabling authorized access for maintenance when needed.
3Ease of operation
If a hinge is used to connect the door to the body, then door pivoting is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the hinge function and transfer element guidance into a single integrated guiding device. The guiding device performs dual functions: it acts as the pivot mechanism enabling door rotation while simultaneously guiding and protecting the transfer element. This integration eliminates the need for a separate traditional hinge structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining door pivoting capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A home appliance, e.g., a refrigerator, includes a body; a door connected to the body with a hinge; a transfer element provided between the body and the door; and a guiding device guiding the transfer element between the body and the door. The guiding device includes a body element fixed to the body; a door element fixed to the door; and at least one bridge element pivotally connected to the body element and the door element as compatible with the movement of the hinge and guiding the transfer element between the body element and the door element.