Refrigerator Drawer Divider Sealing for Independent Temperature Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack the ability to independently control the temperature of multiple compartments within a drawer, which limits user flexibility in storing food items requiring different temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a drawer with a movable divider and seal system, including rollers and resilient members, that allows for independent temperature control of separate compartments by guiding the divider's movement and maintaining airtight isolation between spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable divider is provided in the drawer to partition the storage space, then the storage space can be divided into multiple compartments, but the temperature of each compartment cannot be independently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The storage space is segmented into multiple compartments by a movable divider that can be positioned at different locations. Each compartment can be independently sealed, allowing for separate temperature control zones within the same drawer without requiring complex multi-zone cooling systems throughout the entire refrigerator.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to dynamically adjust the compartment sizes and positions based on storage needs. The movable divider includes sealing elements that maintain airtight separation between compartments during movement, enabling flexible space allocation while preserving temperature isolation.
2Reliability
If a seal is provided on the divider to isolate the first and second spaces, then temperature control is improved, but the movement of the divider may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is constructed using flexible sealing members that can deform and adapt as the divider moves. These flexible seals maintain continuous contact with the drawer walls to ensure airtight isolation between compartments while accommodating the divider's movement along guide surfaces, thus preserving both sealing performance and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the divider and the guide surfaces. These rollers facilitate smooth movement of the divider while the flexible seals work in conjunction with them to maintain sealing effectiveness throughout the range of motion, reducing friction and preventing binding.
3Ease of operation
If rollers are provided on the seal to guide the movement of the divider, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the movement of the divider along the desired path, reduce friction during operation, and support the flexible sealing members to maintain consistent contact pressure with the drawer walls. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex guiding and sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members and guiding elements are integrated into a unified structure where the rollers are attached to or form part of the seal assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate guiding rails and sealing systems, simplifying the overall device while maintaining both movement ease and sealing effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator (10) may include a cabinet (11) configured to form a storage compartment; a rear panel (60) configured to form a rear wall of the storage compartment and have a cooling air outlet hole (55) for discharging cooling air toward the storage compartment; a fan housing (70) configured to couple to the rear panel (60) and install a fan (80) for generating a circulation of the cooling air therein; an outlet port (72) configured to be formed in the fan housing (70) and discharging the cooling air supplied by the drive of the fan (80); and a drawer (100) configured to be withdrawn forward from an inside of the storage compartment. The drawer (100) may include a drawer main body (110) configured to form a storage space (111); a divider (200) provided movably in the interior of the drawer main body (110) and partitioning the storage space (111) into a first space part (111 a) and a second space part (111 b); and a sealer device (250, 260, 270) configured to be provided on at least one side of the divider (200) and sealing the first and second space parts (111 a, 111 b) each other.