Refrigerator Door Opening Unit With Plug-In Replaceable Ejector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening devices for refrigerators are not easily replaceable for service or repair, as they require disconnecting and reconnecting of wiring, and occupy valuable installation space, making them inconvenient for retrofitting and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A two-part opening device design with a mounting base and functional unit that contacts each other for power supply, allowing tool-free replacement without re-routing cables, utilizing existing door hinge fastening devices and minimizing space usage, featuring a compact ejection element with a guide curve for effective door opening and silent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the opening device is mounted on the front face of the insulating body using door hinge fastening devices, then the installation space is efficiently utilized and retrofitting is facilitated, but the replacement of the opening device requires disconnecting and reconnecting wiring which complicates service and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The opening device is divided into two separate parts: a mounting base that remains permanently installed on the insulating body, and a functional unit that can be easily removed and replaced. The mounting base contains the electrical connections and mounting structures, while the functional unit contains the ejection mechanism. This segmentation allows the functional unit to be replaced without disturbing the wiring or mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting base acts as an intermediary between the permanent installation structure and the replaceable functional unit. It provides electrical connections via contacts that interface with counter-contacts on the functional unit, and mechanical mounting via fastening devices. This intermediary structure enables easy replacement of the functional unit while maintaining stable electrical and mechanical connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the opening device is mounted on top of the cooling device, then the design flexibility is improved, but the storage space on top is reduced and installation in furniture bodies is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting location is changed from the vertical dimension (top of the cooling device) to the horizontal dimension (front face in the door hinge installation space). This dimensional change allows the opening device to be positioned in an area that does not compete with storage space while still providing effective door opening functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the ejection element is designed to act on the door arrangement outside the seal area, then the door opening effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection element is extracted from the main housing and designed as a separate, movable component that can be extended only when needed. The ejection element is guided by a guide curve that ensures it acts on the door at the optimal location outside the seal area, providing effective door opening without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
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
Enables easy replacement of the functional unit by unskilled technicians, maintains the refrigerator's insulation integrity, and conserves space, ensuring efficient and silent operation while allowing for easy retrofitting and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The opening device has a coil in which an armature is slidably mounted. The armature is held in a rest position by a spring element and disengages when the coil is energized.
Implementation Method 2
The armature is held in a rest position by a spring element and disengages when the coil is energized.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to an opening device (10) for a cooling device (1) comprising a door assembly, having a mounting base (20), which can be mounted on provided securing units (11) for a door hinge (9) of the cooling device (1), and a functional unit (30) having an ejection element (32), which can be moved out in an electrically controlled manner. The opening device (10) is characterised in that the mounting base (20) has contacts (22) and the functional unit (30) has counter contacts (311), wherein the contacts (22) and the counter contacts (311) contact one another when the functional unit (30) is secured on the mounting base (20) in order to supply the functional unit with current.