Refrigerator Door Basket Hinge and Locking for Easy Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in efficiently utilizing storage space due to interference between basket assemblies and the need for users to manually pivot heavy baskets, which can lead to finger injury and difficulty in accessing items.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring pivotably mounted basket assemblies with multi-articulated hinges and locking/release devices that allow baskets to be selectively coupled or separated from doors, enabling independent pivoting and easy access without applying load to the door, and incorporating a concave part for secure basket positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the basket assembly is pivotably mounted at the door, then the storage space utilization is improved, but the door structure is subjected to excessive load and potential deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly is extracted from the door structure and repositioned to be pivotably mounted at the inside wall of the storage compartment. This separation removes the load-bearing responsibility from the door, allowing the door to focus on its primary function of sealing and access, while the basket assembly independently pivots within the storage space.
2Reliability
If the basket assembly is fixed to the door, then the basket remains stable, but the user cannot easily access items without manually pivoting the entire heavy basket
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly is segmented into a stationary mounting structure at the inside wall and a movable basket portion that can pivot independently. This segmentation allows the mounting structure to provide stable support while the basket portion can be easily accessed and manipulated by users without moving the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The basket assembly transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one with selective pivotability. The hinge mechanism allows the basket to pivot between a stored position (parallel to the door) and an accessible position (perpendicular to the door), providing both stability when needed and ease of access when required.
3Strength
If the basket assembly is mounted at the inside wall with hinge, then the door load is eliminated, but the basket assembly may interfere with other components in the storage compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly utilizes the depth dimension of the storage compartment by pivoting within the internal space. When pivoted, the basket extends toward the door opening without protruding beyond the door plane, and when stored, it remains parallel to the door, effectively using the third dimension to avoid interference with other components.
4Device complexity
If the locking device is only accessible from inside the door, then the structure is simple, but users cannot release the basket when the door is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can be operated from both the inside and outside of the door. This is achieved by providing release mechanisms at both locations, allowing users to lock or unlock the basket assembly regardless of door position or user location, enhancing versatility without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is discussed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet that includes a storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first door hinged on a first edge of the cabinet and configured to open and close a first portion of the storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first basket assembly supported by a first hinge mounted at a first inner wall of the storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first locking device configured to selectively couple the first basket assembly to the first door. The refrigerator further includes a first release device configured to release the first locking device and accessible from a first inner surface of the door and a first outer surface of the door.