Glass Refrigerator Door With Flush Display Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator doors with display assemblies protruding from the front plate create an inconsistent external appearance and introduce foreign materials, leading to potential issues with moisture and dust permeation, making them difficult to clean and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator door design featuring a single transparent front plate with a display accommodating portion that integrates the display portion seamlessly, using a stepwise seating surface and elastic ribs for secure positioning, and a method of manufacturing that simplifies assembly by using a single transparent plate for the front decoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a display assembly is separately manufactured and installed on the front plate, then the display function is achieved, but the external appearance integrity is compromised and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display assembly with the front plate by integrating the display portion into a recessed area of the front plate, making them appear as a single unified component rather than separate parts that need to be assembled together
Solution Approach 2:
The display portion is nested within a recessed area of the front plate, allowing it to be housed inside the front plate structure itself, creating a compact integrated design where one component is contained within another
2Ease of operation
If the display assembly protrudes from the front plate, then the display section is accessible, but foreign materials are introduced and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of protruding display assemblies (which create gaps for foreign material entry) into a benefit by using a recessed design that eliminates these gaps, turning the front plate structure into a protective barrier that prevents contamination while maintaining display accessibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for the front decoration including separate display assembly and front plate, then the display function is achieved, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the front plate and display assembly into what appears to be a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes for multiple parts, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a front of a door is made of a glass plate and a display portion for showing and controlling a condition of the refrigerator is positioned on the rear of the glass plate not to protrude outward. The present invention comprises a door main body including: an outer door 50 defining a front of the door and having a display accommodating portion 54 defined by depression, a door liner 56 installed on the rear of the outer door 50, and upper, lower, left and right decorations for coupling them. In addition, the display accommodating portion 54 in the front of the door main body is mounted with a display portion 70 for showing and controlling a condition of the refrigerator. Also, a front glass plate 80 is installed on the front of the door main body and display portion 70. At this time, in order to stably arrange and secure the display portion 70 into the display accommodating portion 54, the display accommodating portion 54 may be stepwise formed, an elastic rib 262 may be provided, or a support plate 437 may be formed to extend. Further, in order to reduce the number of parts, the refrigerator door can be assembled by directly applying foam liquid to a front decoration 590 without the outer door 50.