Refrigerator Door Auto-Closing Device with Offset Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator door auto-closing devices require significant space due to their parallel alignment with the door's rotational center, limiting installation flexibility and compatibility with varying door thicknesses, leading to difficulties in maintaining the door in a closed state without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
An auto-closing device is positioned offset from the door's rotational center, utilizing a lever and elastic member to automatically close the door by accumulating elastic force, allowing for operation regardless of door thickness and reducing the force required for closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the restoration device is disposed in a direction parallel to the rotational center of the door, then the door can be automatically closed, but a large space is required in the door and installation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension of the restoring device from parallel to the rotational center line to perpendicular to the rotational center line. This dimensional change allows the device to be installed in a different spatial orientation, reducing the required space within the door while maintaining the automatic closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoring device is installed within the hinge bracket structure, nesting the automatic closing mechanism inside the existing hinge assembly. This nesting approach minimizes the additional space required in the door while integrating the automatic closing function into the door's existing structural framework.
2Ease of operation
If the restoration device is disposed in a direction parallel to the rotational center of the door, then the door can be automatically closed, but installation becomes impossible when door thickness is thin
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the installation direction from parallel to perpendicular relative to the rotational center line, the patent enables the restoring device to be accommodated within the door thickness dimension rather than requiring space parallel to the rotational center. This makes the device compatible with doors of various thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge bracket design incorporates the restoring device in a manner that allows it to function across different door thickness specifications. The perpendicular arrangement and integration within the hinge structure create a universal solution that adapts to various door configurations without requiring modification.
3Ease of operation
If a door storage portion is provided in the door, then food storage convenience is improved, but a lot of force is required to close the door
Solution Approach 1:
The restoring device accumulates elastic energy as the door opens and automatically applies closing force when the door reaches a predetermined angle. This preliminary accumulation of energy and automatic activation reduces the manual force needed by the user to complete the closing action, especially when the door storage portion is heavily loaded.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge bracket with the restoring device provides automatic door closing functionality without requiring continuous user intervention. The system serves itself by using the door's own opening motion to charge the elastic element, which then automatically provides the closing force, reducing the burden on the user.
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
Enables easy door closure with minimal user effort, prevents the door from remaining open, and accommodates varying door thicknesses by providing consistent closing force through the elastic mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member connected to the lever... in a state in which the elastic member accumulates elastic force while the door is opened
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet which has a storage space; a hinge bracket which is coupled to the cabinet; a door which is rotatably coupled to a shaft provided in the hinge bracket and opens/closes the storage space; and an automatic closing device which is provided in the door at a position spaced apart from the rotational center line of the door, and during closing of the door, is operated to automatically close the door in cooperation with the hinge bracket, wherein the automatic closing device comprises: a lever which rotates about a rotational center line spaced apart from the rotational center line of the door; an elastic member which is connected to the lever; a body which is provided in the door to rotatably support the lever; and a locking member which, during opening of the door, restricts the rotation of the lever with respect to the body while the elastic member accumulates an elastic force.