Refrigerator Door Blender Assembly for Countertop Space Saving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances lack an integrated solution for conveniently preparing blended foods and drinks, as standalone blenders occupy countertop space and create clutter.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with an integrated multi-speed blender is designed, featuring a recess in the door for a blender assembly, including a motor, mixer shaft, and control switches, allowing for different speed operations and water dispensing, eliminating the need for a separate blender.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standalone blender is used for preparing blended foods and drinks, then blending functionality is provided, but kitchen countertop space is occupied and clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blender assembly with the refrigerator door by providing a recess in the door that receives the blender assembly. The motor housing includes a front surface that engages with the recess, and the blade assembly is positioned to extend into the recess. This merging of the blender into the refrigerator door eliminates the need for a separate countertop blender while maintaining full blending functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If a recess is provided in the refrigerator door for the blender assembly, then countertop space is freed, but the door structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator door is segmented by providing a recess that is integrated into the door structure. The recess is defined by spaced apart first and second surfaces that extend from the front surface of the door toward the interior, creating a dedicated space for the blender assembly without compromising the overall door integrity or functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the blender assembly is integrated into the refrigerator door, then space efficiency is improved, but the blender components must be compactly arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is nested within the motor housing, with the blade assembly including a container that receives the motor housing. The mixer shaft extends from the motor housing through an opening in the container, allowing the motor and blade components to be compactly arranged within the limited space of the recess while maintaining operational 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
This solution provides a space-efficient way to prepare blended foods and drinks directly from the refrigerator, reducing clutter and enhancing kitchen convenience by integrating blending functionality into the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
a motor disposed atop the support bracket. A mixer shaft is in operational communication with the motor and extends through the support bracket into the recess opening
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of spaced apart blades is disposed on a distal end of the mixer shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator with an integrated multi-speed blender including a stand alone kitchen refrigerator having a recess in a front door thereof and a continuous opening therein. A housing body, on the upper side of the recess, stores components of a motorized blender assembly adjacent to a water dispenser within the recess. The blender assembly includes a mixer shaft operationally communicating with the motor and extending into the recess opening, with blades on a distal end thereof, first and second control switches proximal and operationally controlling the motor, first and second pressure control buttons on a forward side of the housing body, which when pushed along with an activation switch, activate the motor and operate the motor at a first speed and at a faster second speed, respectively. An activation button movable between an initial lower position to a second upper position activates the activation switch in the second upper position.