Refrigerator Cable Chain Structure for Drawer Door Wire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs face issues with the flexible accommodation of electrical wires during the opening and closing of drawer-type doors, leading to potential damage and malfunction due to irregular wire paths and exposure to peripheral components.
Innovation Solution
A cable chain system with a slider and chain units that rotate relative to each other, guided by a curve guide portion, allowing flexible movement while maintaining a protective shield for the electrical wire, and a buffer system to prevent finger injuries during door closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical wire is exposed during door sliding, then the wire can flexibly accommodate movement, but the wire is vulnerable to damage from peripheral components and irregular paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cable chain structure that acts as a flexible protective shell around the electrical wire. The cable chain includes multiple articulated segments that allow flexible movement while maintaining continuous protection of the wire throughout the door's sliding range, preventing contact with peripheral components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain is divided into multiple discrete chain units linked together. This segmentation allows each unit to rotate relative to others, enabling the cable chain to bend and follow irregular paths during door movement while continuously shielding the wire from damage.
2Ease of operation
If the cable chain is made flexible to accommodate driving unit movement, then the door can slide smoothly, but the wire may follow irregular paths causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain serves as a flexible protective conduit that guides the wire along a controlled path. While allowing necessary movement for smooth door operation, the rigid structure of the cable chain prevents the wire from following harmful irregular paths that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain acts as an intermediary between the moving driving unit and the stationary wire connection. It mediates the movement by providing a protected, controlled path for the wire, isolating it from direct exposure to irregular motion and peripheral components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the chain units are allowed to rotate freely relative to each other, then the cable chain is highly flexible, but rotation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain employs dynamic rotation joints between chain units that allow free rotation during normal operation to maintain flexibility. The rotation restricting portion provides passive control by becoming engaged only when excessive rotation occurs, avoiding complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation restricting portion on each chain unit automatically engages with neighboring units to limit rotation when needed, without requiring external control systems. The structure self-regulates its own rotation through geometric constraints built into the chain unit design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator that has a slider and chain units that are coupled in a manner that allows rotation. The slider and chain units define a cable chain that covers a wire. Curve guide portions are positioned between the slider and a chain unit, and a rotation restricting portion is positioned between the chain units. The cable chain may curve in the same direction regardless of the force applied so as to reduce potential damage on the wire due to scratches by peripheral components and mis-operation of a refrigerator door. Also, a buffer may be installed at an end of a fixed rail to provide additional safety, a protection cover is installed at a driving motor to reduce potential for separation of the wire, and a door switch is installed at a rail guide to facilitate detachment of the door switch.