refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with drawer-type doors often require users to turn their back to access contents, leading to inconvenience and safety risks, especially when handling heavy items, and lack effective mechanisms to prevent upper door damage or user injury during lower door operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a drawer door that elevates when withdrawn, incorporating a door restriction device to prevent upper door opening when the lower door is elevated, utilizing a mechanical system without electronic components to ensure safety and operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drawer door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is compact and space-efficient, but the user has to turn their back to take out items which causes inconvenience and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer door is elevated vertically when opened, moving items from a low position to a higher accessible position. This vertical dimension change allows users to access items without bending over or turning their back, resolving the contradiction between compact lower-door placement and user convenience
2Ease of operation
If the drawer door is elevated when opened, then user convenience is improved, but connection portions and electrical devices become exposed causing safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portions and electrical devices are nested within the drawer door structure itself, rather than being external attachments. The support member is integrated into the door, and electrical components are housed within the door's internal space, preventing exposure while maintaining the elevation function
Solution Approach 2:
A cover structure acts as an intermediary element that shields the connection portions and electrical devices from exposure. The cover moves with the drawer door during elevation, maintaining protection while allowing the door to perform its lifting function
3Ease of operation
If the upper door is opened when the lower door is elevated, then user access is provided, but damage due to impact may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system prevents the harmful action of opening the upper door when the lower door is elevated. The door restriction device detects the elevated state and proactively blocks the upper door from opening, preventing the potential impact damage before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The door restriction device uses feedback from the lower door's position to control the upper door's operation. When the lower door is detected in an elevated position, the system receives this information and automatically restricts the upper door, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism
4Reliability
If a door restriction device is added to prevent upper door opening, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door restriction device is self-actuating and does not require external electronic control systems. It automatically detects the lower door's elevated state through mechanical means and autonomously restricts the upper door, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors, controllers, and wiring while maintaining safety functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a cabinet (10); an upper door; a lower door that is a drawer type door; a draw-out rail that connects the lower door to a storage space in the cabinet and that guides insertion and withdrawal of the lower door in a front-rear direction; an elevation assembly (40) that is located in the lower door, that elevates an object stored in the lower door in a state in which the lower door is withdrawn, and that elevates the object relative to the lower door; and a door restriction device (70) configured to selectively restrict an opening movement of the upper door based on whether the lower door is opened or closed. The door restriction device (70) is configured to restrict the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being opened, and to allow the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being closed.