Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with drawer doors positioned at the lower region require users to turn their back to access contents, leading to inconvenience and safety risks due to exposed electrical components and potential damage from improper door operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a drawer door that elevates when withdrawn, accompanied by a door restriction mechanism that prevents the upper door from opening when the lower door is elevated, ensuring user safety and preventing damage through mechanical means without the need for electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is simplified and space is efficiently utilized, but the user has to turn their back to take out baskets or foods which causes inconvenience and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by enabling the lower drawer door to move vertically (elevation) in addition to horizontal withdrawal. This adds a new degree of freedom to the door movement, allowing the door to rise to a convenient height for the user while maintaining the space-efficient lower positioning. The elevation mechanism includes a support member with a support surface that can be raised to bring items within easy reach, eliminating the need for users to turn their backs completely.
2Ease of operation
If electrical devices and structures for elevation are exposed to enable the drawer door to be elevated, then user convenience is improved, but safety problems occur due to exposed components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the electrical devices and elevation structures inside the drawer door assembly rather than exposing them externally. The support member and elevation mechanism are nested within the door structure, with only the necessary support surface exposed for user interaction. This nested arrangement protects electrical components from exposure while maintaining the elevation functionality for user convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper door is allowed to open when the lower door is elevated, then door operation flexibility is maintained, but damage due to impact may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a door restriction mechanism that prevents the upper door from opening when the lower door is in the elevated position. The restriction device detects the elevation state of the lower door and automatically restricts upper door operation accordingly. This preliminary preventive measure eliminates the risk of impact damage before it can occur, while still allowing normal door operations when the lower door is not elevated.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a door restriction device is implemented to prevent upper door opening during lower door elevation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex electronic control systems with a purely mechanical door restriction device. The restriction mechanism uses mechanical linkages, levers, and positional sensors that directly interact with the door and drawer assemblies. This mechanical approach achieves the safety function of preventing upper door opening during lower door elevation without requiring sophisticated electronics, microcontrollers, or complex control algorithms, thereby minimizing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; 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 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 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 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.