Flipper Mullion Leaf Spring Assembly to Replace Magnet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator mullion assemblies relying on magnets for positioning are costly and difficult to incorporate, necessitating a more economical solution for maintaining a seal between doors and the cabinet.
Innovation Solution
A mullion assembly with a rotatably movable mullion portion attached to a door via a hinge assembly, utilizing a leaf spring and cam structure to hold the mullion in position, eliminating the need for magnets by using a leaf spring's bias to maintain the mullion in closed or open positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets are used to pull the mullion assembly between opened and closed positions, then the sealing function is improved, but the cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the magnet component from the mullion assembly, replacing it with a spring-based mechanism. This eliminates the expensive and difficult-to-incorporate magnets while maintaining the sealing function through mechanical means alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive magnets with inexpensive spring elements and cam structures that are easier to manufacture and replace. The spring-cam mechanism provides a cost-effective alternative to magnetic components while achieving the same functional outcome.
2Reliability
If magnets are used to pull the mullion assembly, then the sealing function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the magnet component entirely, the patent simplifies the device structure. The replacement spring-cam mechanism uses simpler, more straightforward mechanical elements that reduce overall device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using magnetic attraction to hold the mullion in position, the patent inverts the approach by using mechanical cam structures with recesses that physically guide and position the spring, creating a passive mechanical positioning system rather than an active magnetic one.
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 solution effectively reduces the reliance on expensive magnets, providing a reliable and cost-effective mechanism for sealing between the refrigerator doors and cabinet while ensuring smooth operation between closed and open positions.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring and cam structure. The cam structure comprises a first recess for receiving the leaf spring when the mullion portion is in the first position. The cam structure further comprises a second recess for receiving the leaf spring when the mullion portion is in the second position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator assembly includes a cabinet having one or more compartments and a door configured to provide access to the one or more compartments. The refrigerator assembly further includes a mullion portion movably attached with respect the door and a hinge assembly attaching the mullion portion to the door such that the mullion portion is rotatably movable with respect to the door about a rotational axis between a first position and a second position. The refrigerator assembly further includes a leaf spring and a cam structure. The cam structure includes a first recess for receiving the leaf spring when the mullion portion is in the first position. The cam structure further includes a second recess for receiving the leaf spring when the mullion portion is in the second position.