Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator door designs with a latch accommodation part in the center of the main-door part are not hygienic due to potential entry of foreign substances and aesthetically unpleasing as the latch is visible, affecting the outer appearance and refrigeration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The latch accommodation part is relocated to the lower end of the main-door part, with space-maintaining members at the upper ends of the main and sub-door parts, using magnets to maintain a minimal gap and enhance the door's appearance and refrigeration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the latch accommodation part is located in the center of the main-door part, then gap deviation between the main-door part and sub-door part is prevented, but foreign substances can enter the latch accommodation part and it is visible to users affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The latch accommodation part is relocated from the center position (two-dimensional plane consideration) to the lower end position (introducing vertical dimension consideration), changing the spatial arrangement to simultaneously achieve gap prevention and hygiene requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If the latch accommodation part is located in the center of the main-door part, then gap deviation is prevented, but the latch is visible affecting outer appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The latch accommodation part is repositioned from the central horizontal alignment to the lower vertical position, utilizing dimensional reconfiguration to hide the latch mechanism while preserving its functional gap-prevention capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the latch accommodation part is relocated to the lower end of the main-door part, then hygiene and outer appearance are improved, but gap deviation between doors may increase
Solution Approach 1:
A space-maintaining member is introduced as an intermediary component between the main-door part and sub-door part to compensate for the gap deviation that may result from relocating the latch accommodation part to the lower end position
4Shape
If the latch accommodation part is relocated to the lower end of the main-door part, then outer appearance is improved, but gap deviation between doors may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The space-maintaining member serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the relocated latch accommodation part and the sub-door part, ensuring consistent spacing and preventing deviation while allowing the aesthetic benefits of lower positioning
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 design improves hygiene by preventing foreign substance entry and minimizes gap deviation, enhancing the outer appearance and refrigeration efficiency by using magnetic forces to maintain a stable door alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The first space-maintaining member and the second space-maintaining member may be magnets forming a mutual attractive force
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. According to one embodiment, the refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space; and a door rotatably connected to the cabinet, in which the door includes a main-door part rotatably coupled to the cabinet; a sub-door part rotatably coupled to the main-door part; a latch accommodation part provided at a lower end part of the main-door part; a latch member provided at a lower end part of the sub-door part and detachably engaged to the latch accommodation part; a first space-maintaining member provided on an upper end part of the main-door part; and a second space-maintaining member provided on an upper end part of the sub-door part and disposed facing the first space-maintaining member.