Refrigerator Drawer Door Rack Gear for Longer Auto Withdrawal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with automatic drawer doors face issues such as increased weight due to motor placement within the drawer, potential inclining of the refrigerator, and limited withdrawal distance due to fixed rack length, which restricts storage space utilization and affects the exterior appearance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a motor assembly located within the storage chamber and a rack gear assembly with an extendable rack gear system that adjusts length based on drawer position, allowing for increased automatic withdrawal and insertion of the drawer door without exposing the motor or rack gear externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the driving motor is provided in the drawer, then the drawer can be automatically withdrawn, but the drawer weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving motor is extracted from the drawer and relocated to the cabinet body. The motor assembly is now provided in the cabinet body rather than in the drawer, which reduces the drawer weight while maintaining the automatic withdrawal function through the rack gear mechanism.
2Length of moving object
If the rack length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the drawer withdrawal distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure is made dynamic and adjustable. The rack gear assembly includes an extendable rack that can change its effective length based on the drawer position. The rack has a first portion and a second portion that can be selectively engaged or disengaged, allowing the drawer to be withdrawn beyond the initial rack length while maintaining structural integrity.
3Extent of automation
If the driving motor is provided in the drawer, then automatic withdrawal is enabled, but the motor is exposed to the outside when drawer is withdrawn
Solution Approach 1:
The driving motor is extracted from the drawer and positioned in the cabinet body. This relocation ensures that when the drawer is withdrawn, the motor remains hidden inside the cabinet, preserving the clean exterior appearance while still enabling automatic withdrawal functionality through the rack gear mechanism.
4Productivity
If the rack gear assembly is fixed length, then manufacturing is simple, but storage space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rack gear assembly is designed with adjustable length capability. It includes a first rack portion and a second rack portion that can be selectively engaged. When the drawer needs to be withdrawn further to improve storage space utilization, the second rack portion is engaged to extend the effective rack length. This provides manufacturing simplicity while enabling flexible adaptation to different storage needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances user convenience by increasing the automatic withdrawal distance of the drawer door, improving storage space utilization, and maintaining a clean exterior appearance by keeping the motor and rack gear components hidden.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and including a motor and a pinion gear that is rotated by the motor, the motor assembly being configured to provide a driving force that moves the drawer door into and out of the storage chamber; and a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack that is configured to be coupled to the pinion gear
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and configured to provide a driving force that moves the drawer door relative to the storage chamber, and a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack gear. The rack gear includes a fixed rack fixed to the drawer door and a moving rack slidably coupled to the fixed rack. The drawer door includes a drawer part that defines an upwardly open storage space, and a door part that is configured to, based on the drawer door being inserted into the storage chamber, close the storage chamber.