Refrigerator Drawer Sealing Mechanism for Easy Humidity-Preserving Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in maintaining optimal humidity and temperature for vegetable storage, leading to premature drying of vegetables and fruits, and the sealed state maintaining device can be difficult to operate due to exposed components.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a drawer that can be easily accommodated and withdrawn, featuring a sealed state maintaining device with a locking portion and fixed arm, a manipulation switch, and a water supply system that includes an ozone water generator to maintain humidity and prevent drying, along with a humidity adjustable element and modified atmosphere film to control gas transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a sealing member is provided at the contact region between the case and the drawer to seal inside and outside of the drawer, then the storage period of vegetables and fruits is extended by maintaining humidity, but the operation of the drawer becomes difficult because the sealing member interferes with the accommodation and withdrawal of the drawer
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the drawer structure by using a separate sealing member that can be independently positioned. The sealing member is provided on the case rather than integrated into the drawer, allowing the drawer to be operated independently while the sealing member remains stationary and does not interfere with drawer movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is extracted from the drawer body and placed on the case instead. This extraction allows the drawer to move freely for accommodation and withdrawal operations while the sealing member remains fixed on the case to maintain the sealed state when the drawer is in position.
2Ease of operation
If components of the sealed state maintaining device are mounted outside the drawer for easy access, then the operation of the device is simplified, but foreign materials can be inserted into the components restricting their operation
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation switch is nested within the drawer structure, specifically disposed in the drawer in a spaced manner from the handle. This nesting protects the switch from foreign material contamination while still allowing users to operate it by accessing it through the drawer front or side, maintaining reliability without completely sacrificing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer front or side panel acts as a protective shell that encloses the manipulation switch. This thin film or panel structure protects the switch from foreign materials while allowing the switch to be operated through the panel or by accessing it through a protected opening, maintaining both reliability and operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If the manipulation switch is disposed close to the handle for easy operation, then the user can easily control the sealing function, but the switch is exposed to foreign materials and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation switch is nested within the drawer structure rather than being exposed on the external surface. This nesting positions the switch inside the protected space of the drawer, shielding it from foreign materials and physical damage while keeping it accessible to users through the drawer's opening or front panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the handle - specifically disposed in the drawer in a spaced manner from the handle, likely on an internal surface or panel rather than directly adjacent to the external handle. This dimensional repositioning provides protection while maintaining operational accessibility.
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
The design allows for easy operation of the drawer, prolongs the storage time of vegetables and fruits by maintaining optimal humidity and preventing drying, while ensuring reliable operation of the sealed state maintaining device.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member provided at a contact region between the case and the drawer, and configured to seal inside and outside of the drawer
Implementation Method 2
a fixed arm disposed in the drawer, the fixed arm rotatable to a sealing position for sealing the drawer by compressing the sealing member by being coupled to the locking portion
Implementation Method 3
a water supply system that includes an ozone water generator to maintain humidity and prevent drying
Implementation Method 4
a humidity adjustable element and modified atmosphere film to control gas transmittance
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber; a case provided in the cooling chamber; a drawer having a handle, and accommodated in the case in a withdrawable manner; a sealing member provided at a contact region between the case and the drawer; a sealed state maintaining device having a locking portion provided at the case, and having a fixed arm disposed in the drawer, the fixed arm rotatable to a sealing position for sealing the drawer by compressing the sealing member by being coupled to the locking portion when the drawer is accommodated in the case, and a releasing position for releasing the sealed state by being separated from the locking portion; and a manipulation switch provided at the drawer, and configured to manipulate the fixed arm to move between the sealing position and the releasing position.