Motor-Driven Freezer Drawer Opening With Standby Power Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
In bottom freezer type refrigerators, users face increased effort when opening the freezing chamber door due to its lower position, requiring bending and more force compared to opening the refrigerating chamber door, which is typically located above.
Innovation Solution
An automatic opening mechanism or motor-driven system that allows the freezing chamber door to be moved forward by sensing user movement and providing a driving force to draw the door out or in, along with a slide assembly and driving motor to facilitate smooth movement and reduce user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the freezing chamber door is positioned at the lower side of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is optimized for space utilization, but user effort to open the door increases due to bending requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic opening mechanism performs preliminary action by detecting user approach and automatically drawing the drawer outward before the user needs to manually open it, thereby eliminating the bending effort while maintaining the lower-positioned freezing chamber structure
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer opening system serves itself by using sensors to detect user presence and automatically activating the motor to draw the drawer out, making the system self-activating without requiring manual intervention to overcome the gravitational disadvantage of the lower position
2Volume of moving object
If the freezing chamber door is positioned at the lower side of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is optimized for space utilization, but the force required to open the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical system of pulling the door against gravity is replaced with an automated motor-driven system that uses a winch mechanism to draw the drawer out automatically, substituting human muscular force with electrical motor force
Solution Approach 2:
The winch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor and the drawer, translating rotational motor motion into linear drawing force that pulls the drawer outward, thereby reducing the direct force requirement on the user
3Ease of operation
If a motor-driven automatic opening mechanism is added, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as the driving force for the winch mechanism, provides the drawing force for opening the drawer, and can potentially serve as part of the closing mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity through functional consolidation
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system, motor assembly, and winch mechanism are merged into an integrated automatic opening system that functions as a unified module, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture
4Ease of operation
If the drawer is automatically drawn out and in, then user effort is reduced, but power consumption increases due to standby power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates periodically only when needed - activating automatically when a user is detected approaching and deactivating when the drawer is closed or no user presence is detected, thereby avoiding continuous standby power consumption while maintaining automatic opening functionality
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
Enhances user convenience by reducing the effort required to open the freezing chamber door and minimizing power consumption by cutting off standby power when the door is closed, improving overall operation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a driving motor for providing driving force to move the drawer
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a drawer having a door and a receiving box attached thereto. The drawer may be automatically moved in forward and backward directions. A supply of standby voltage may be intercepted by a drawer driving mechanism when the door is closed so as to reduce power consumption and improve response time to drawer opening and closing commands.