Refrigerator with a container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration devices require laborious manual operation to open and close containers, which can be inconvenient and pose safety risks, especially when dealing with perishable goods like butter.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic drive device is integrated into the refrigeration device, utilizing a spring element and gear mechanism to open and close the container door, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring safety by only supporting the opening movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to open and close the container door, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device enables the door to open and close automatically without manual intervention. The spring element stores energy and the trigger element activates the mechanism, allowing the door to perform its own opening/closing action based on user input through the trigger, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded with potential energy before activation. When the trigger element is actuated, this stored energy is released to automatically move the door, eliminating the need for continuous manual force and enabling automatic door operation with minimal user input
2Ease of operation
If a drive device is added to automate door opening, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is extracted as a separate, modular assembly from the container structure. It consists of distinct functional components (spring element, trigger element, gear rack, gear wheel) that can be independently analyzed and maintained, managing complexity through functional separation while providing automated door operation
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device transforms the static door structure into a dynamic system capable of automatic movement. The spring element provides dynamic energy storage and release, the gear mechanism provides dynamic motion transformation, and the trigger element provides dynamic activation, collectively enabling automated door operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drive device supports both opening and closing movements, then functionality improves, but safety risks increase due to potential trapping of extremities
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is designed with preliminary anti-action by only enabling the opening movement through the spring element and trigger mechanism. The closing movement is deliberately excluded from automation, preventing the possibility of user extremities being trapped by an automated closing action while maintaining sufficient functionality for container access
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of automated closing into benefit by intentionally limiting automation to opening only. This restriction, while reducing versatility, eliminates safety risks entirely and provides a beneficial compromise between automation and user safety
4Reliability
If a spring element is used in the drive device, then reliability improves through simple structure, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a compact integrated drive device assembly. The spring element, trigger element, gear rack, and gear wheel are combined in a space-efficient configuration that provides reliable automated door opening while minimizing the volume occupied by the mechanism
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 solution simplifies the operation of opening and closing container doors, reducing manual labor and ensuring safety by automating the opening process while maintaining a compact and reliable design.
Implementation Method 1
The drive device has a spring element which is operatively connected to the door in order to effect the displacement of the door
Implementation Method 2
the spring element is in operative connection with a gear that meshes with a rack that is connected to the door in a force-transmitting manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator (100) comprising at least one container (104) arranged in the interior (102) of the refrigerator (100) for receiving products to be refrigerated. The container (104) has a main part (200) and a door (106, 108) which is movably mounted on the main part (200) and by means of which the container (104) can be opened or closed by moving the door (106, 108). According to the invention, a drive device (316) is operatively connected to the door (106, 108) in order to move the door (106, 108). The invention further relates to a container (104) for arranging in an interior (102) of a refrigerator (100), wherein the container (104) has a main part (200) and a door (106, 108) which is movably mounted on the main part (200) and by means of which the container (104) can be opened or closed by moving the door (106, 108), and a drive device (316) is operatively connected to the door (106, 108) in order to move the door (106, 108).