Recessed Refrigerator Door End Strip for a Seamless Front Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration appliance doors have design limitations due to visible door end strips, which are prone to dirt accumulation and complicate cleaning, hindering a homogeneous and transition-free front surface.
Innovation Solution
The door end strip is integrated into the door panel with a rib that engages in a groove, allowing the strip to be positioned behind the panel, creating a seamless front face that is easy to clean and minimizing dirt accumulation, while also enhancing the door's structural integrity with additional ribs and a recessed grip for improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the door end strip protrudes forwards beyond the door panel to accommodate the panel with a groove, then the door panel can be securely held, but the front surface becomes non-homogeneous and difficult to clean due to visible transitions and dirt accumulation on the door end strip
Solution Approach 1:
The door end strip is inverted from its conventional position by being recessed behind the door panel instead of protruding forward. The strip is positioned such that its front surface is flush with or recessed behind the door panel front surface, eliminating visible transitions and making the front face homogeneous and easy to clean while maintaining secure panel holding through the groove engagement
2Shape
If the door end strip is positioned at the front facing away from the cold room, then a continuous front face can be achieved, but the door panel must be encompassed by the door end strip which complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The door end strip is nested behind the door panel, with the strip positioned in a recessed area. The groove in the door panel encompasses the door end strip, creating a nested configuration where the strip is held securely behind the panel rather than requiring the panel to be encompassed by a protruding strip, thus achieving a continuous front face with simpler structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration device door (1) for closing a cooling chamber (30) of a refrigeration device, which door comprises a door panel (2) and at least one door end strip (6), arranged at the edge of the door panel (2), that extends along the door end strip, the door end strip (6) having a first rib (7) extending along the door end strip with which rib the door end strip engages in a groove (3) in the door panel (2).