refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with auto-opening doors face challenges in increasing the opening angle per unit length of the push member without compromising aesthetics or causing damage to the push rods and gears, especially when external forces are applied.
Innovation Solution
A door opening device with a push member that includes a rack gear and a rack cover, where the rack cover contacts the cabinet or door, allowing for increased opening angle while preventing damage by using a magnetic field generation device and reed switch assembly to detect external forces and control the push member's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the push rod is disposed adjacent to the boundary of two doors to receive power from the driving motor, then the door can be opened smoothly, but the opening angle of the door per unit length of the push rod is low
Solution Approach 1:
The push rod is repositioned from the boundary area to the hinge-proximal area, utilizing the spatial dimension near the rotation axis to achieve greater angular displacement per unit length of the push rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The push rod is pre-positioned close to the hinge before door opening operation, allowing it to leverage the rotational motion from the start of the opening process and maximize the opening angle achieved per unit length.
2Length of moving object
If the push rod length is increased to increase the opening angle of the door, then the opening angle increases, but the exposed portion of the push rod is lengthened causing deterioration of aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The solution shifts from increasing push rod length in the linear dimension to achieving greater opening angle through repositioning near the hinge, utilizing the rotational dimension for more efficient angle generation per unit length.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the push rod is changed from boundary-adjacent to hinge-proximal, which fundamentally alters the relationship between push rod length and opening angle, allowing shorter rods to achieve the same or greater opening angles.
3Length of moving object
If the push rod advances to move to the set position before door closing, then the door can be opened to a large angle, but impact from emergency return damages the push rod and gears
Solution Approach 1:
A detection member is introduced to monitor the push rod's position and provide feedback to the control unit, which then controls the driving motor to stop at appropriate positions and prevents emergency return operations that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses position detection to anticipate and prevent emergency return scenarios by stopping the push rod at safe positions before door closing occurs, cushioning against potential impact damage to the mechanical components.
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 enhances the opening angle of the door per unit length of the push member, reduces the risk of damage to the push member and gears, and allows for secure operation without altering the existing cabinet structure.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field generation device and a reed switch assembly configured to operate by the magnetic field generation device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a cabinet having a storage chamber; a door for exposing/covering the storage chamber, the door being rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge; and a door opening device for opening the door. The door opening device comprises a driving motor and a push member which receives power from the driving motor and accordingly moves in the forward/backward direction. The push member comprises a first end portion positioned close to the front surface of the cabinet and a second end portion positioned on the opposite side of the first end portion. The cabinet comprises a cabinet side wall positioned close to the hinge. The door comprises a door side wall positioned close to the hinge. The refrigerator according to the present invention is characterized in that, when the door is closed, the horizontal distance between the first end portion and the cabinet side wall or the door side wall is smaller than the horizontal distance between the second end portion and the cabinet side wall or the door side wall.