Powered Tilt Drawer Front with Electronic Latch for Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pull-out drawer mechanisms in refrigerators can cause damage to the front portion and freezer door when the shallow-depth drawer is tilted and retracted, and the operation of the tilt mechanism can be difficult and tedious.
Innovation Solution
A drawer assembly with a rotatable drawer front that includes an electronic input to transmit a signal for engaging a latch with a catch bar, allowing for automated control of the drawer's opening and preventing damage by ensuring it is closed during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer front is tilted downward and the drawer is retracted inward, then the user can remove items without opening the drawer to maximum withdrawal, but damage may occur to the front portion and/or freezer door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical tilt operation with an automated electronic control system. A sensor detects when the drawer front is tilted to the downward position, and an electronic controller automatically engages a latch mechanism to lock the drawer front in place. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually coordinate tilting and retraction, preventing damage while maintaining ease of item removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer assembly performs self-protection through automated sensing and latching. The sensor and controller system automatically monitors the drawer front position and engages the latch without user intervention, allowing the system to protect itself from damage while the user simply tilts the drawer front for item access.
2Ease of operation
If a tilt mechanism is provided for the front portion, then the drawer can be tilted for easier access, but physical operation of the tilt mechanism may be difficult or tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual tilt mechanisms with a simpler system where the drawer front is hinged for easy tilting, and the complexity is shifted to an electronic sensing and control system. The sensor detects the tilted position and triggers an electronic controller to engage a latch, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tilt-locking mechanisms while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the tilting function from the locking function. The drawer front can be easily tilted by the user, and the locking is handled separately by an automated latch mechanism engaged by the electronic controller. This segmentation allows simple manual tilting while automated locking prevents damage, reducing overall operational complexity.
3Reliability
If an electronic control system is added to automate drawer front opening, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic sensing and control to replace complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms. A sensor detects drawer front position, and an electronic controller manages latch engagement, providing reliable damage prevention through electronic control rather than complex mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the latch mechanism. It receives signals from the sensor about drawer front position and automatically controls latch engagement, simplifying the overall system by using electronic mediation rather than direct mechanical coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer assembly for an appliance includes a drawer front for providing selective access to the drawer recess, the drawer front being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, a slide operably coupling the drawer front to the cabinet, the slide including a catch bar, an electronic input provided on the drawer front, the electronic input configured to transmit an input signal, and a latch provided in the drawer front, the latch being operably coupled with the electronic input and selectively engaged with the catch bar based on the input signal.