Household refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliances lack a safe and efficient mechanism to assist in opening and closing doors and drawers, potentially leading to energy loss due to doors being left open inadvertently.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration appliance equipped with a self-closing hinge and an electronic opening aid device featuring a plunger actuated by an electric motor, which automatically opens the door or drawer to a limited angle, allowing manual operation and ensuring automatic closure if not held open, thus preventing energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a self-closing hinge is used to automatically close the door, then energy loss is prevented, but the door cannot be held open at larger angles for loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The door closing function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: a self-closing hinge for automatic closure at small angles (up to 45°) and a separate opening aid device for controlled opening at larger angles. This segmentation allows each mechanism to operate independently within its optimal range, preventing energy loss while enabling full door opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening aid device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the self-closing hinge. It provides the initial force to overcome the self-closing hinge's resistance and open the door to a sufficient angle, after which the user can manually hold or secure the door. The intermediary device temporarily assists the user without requiring continuous power.
2Ease of operation
If an opening aid device is added to assist door opening, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening aid device is designed to be self-activating through a simple trigger mechanism. When activated, it automatically extends to assist door opening and then retracts without requiring manual operation or external power control. This self-service capability minimizes control system complexity while providing effective assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening aid device uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as a spring-loaded plunger or pneumatic cylinder with basic trigger activation. These components are designed for reliability rather than longevity, providing sufficient service life for the application while keeping costs low and complexity minimal.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger extends far to open the door fully, then door opening capability is improved, but the self-closing hinge cannot close the door automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The opening aid device performs partial action by extending only enough to overcome the self-closing hinge's resistance and allow the door to be opened to a practical angle for loading/unloading. It does not attempt to open the door to a full 180° angle, which would be excessive and render the self-closing hinge ineffective. The partial extension (sufficient but not excessive) maintains compatibility with the automatic closing function.
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 provides a safer and more energy-efficient operation by ensuring doors and drawers are closed automatically if not manually opened further, maintaining the cold environment and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The opening aid device (11) comprises a plunger (12), which can be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position at least indirectly by means of an actuator, in particular an electric motor (13)
Implementation Method 2
Self-closing hinges include a spring that automatically moves the door panel from an open position to a closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration appliance (1), which comprises a heat-insulated inner container (3) which delimits a coolable interior (4) for storing foodstuffs, a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior (4), a door leaf (5) mounted relative to the inner container (3) in an articulated manner in relation to an axis by means of hinges for opening and closing the coolable interior (4) and an opening aid device (11). At least one of the hinges is configured as a self-closing hinge (10) capable of automatically closing the door leaf (5) to a first opening angle (α). The opening aid device (11) comprises an actuator (13) and a tappet (12) that can be moved at least indirectly back and forth by means of the actuator (13) between a first position and a second position. The opening aid device (11) is configured to enable the door leaf (5) to be closed if the tappet (12) is in the first position thereof, to move the tappet (12) from the first position thereof to the second position thereof in order to push open the closed door leaf (5) by means of the tappet (12) up to a second opening angle (β), which is smaller than the first opening angle (α), and to automatically move the tappet (12) into the first position thereof immediately or in a time-delayed manner after the second position has been reached.