Domestic refrigeration device having a door-closing fitting part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household refrigeration appliances face challenges in achieving a stable and low overall height for the door-closing fitting, which can lead to undesirable pivotal movements and inaccurate positioning due to the use of single screws for attachment.

Innovation Solution

The door-closing fitting features a fastening section with depressions on both sides, allowing for form-fitting insertion of a connecting piece that secures it to the door leaf, preventing twisting and ensuring precise positioning, and can be used for both right-hand and left-hand hinges, thus maintaining a low overall height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single screw is used to attach the locking mechanism to the door panel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking mechanism may have undesirable pivotal movement and inaccurate positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment structureVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure is segmented into multiple components: a fastening block with receiving slots on the door panel, and a fastening section with corresponding protrusions on the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows for precise form-fitting connection while maintaining simple assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving slots are designed with asymmetric dimensions (different lengths and widths) that correspond to specific protrusions on the fastening section. This asymmetric design prevents pivotal movement and ensures accurate positioning of the locking mechanism relative to the door panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If the fastening block height is significantly greater than the locking mechanism thickness, then the receiving slot can be formed, but the overall height of the door-closing fitting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving slot formationVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the height dimension of the fastening block, the solution moves to the planar dimension by creating multiple receiving slots (first, second, third slots) with different orientations and positions on the fastening block face. This allows the locking mechanism to be securely attached without increasing the overall height of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening section of the locking mechanism nests into the receiving slots of the fastening block, with protrusions fitting precisely into corresponding slots. This nested arrangement provides secure attachment while maintaining a compact overall height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If a form-fitting connection with multiple receiving slots is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidfastening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening block is designed with multiple receiving slots that can accommodate different protrusion configurations on the locking mechanism. This universal design allows the same fastening structure to work with various locking mechanism orientations and positions, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design results in a stable, precisely positioned door-closing fitting with a very low overall height, allowing it to be used in narrow gaps and ensuring accurate interaction with the locking cam, enhancing the door's functionality without the need for increased door spacing or additional hardware.

Implementation Method 1

a spring section which is designed to move the door leaf into the closing closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2984423B1Domestic refrigeration device having a door-closing fitting part
Publication Date: 2018.01.17 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2984423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2984423B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2984423B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device (1), comprising at least one door leaf (2, 3), which is supported by means of at least one door hinge (5a, 5b, 5c) in such a way that the at least one door leaf can be pivoted between a closed position in which a storage chamber of the domestic refrigeration device (1) is closed and an open position in which said storage chamber is opened, wherein the door hinge (5a, 5b, 5c) is designed to support the door leaf (2, 3) with the door leaf hinged on the right in a first mounting position and with the door leaf hinged on the left in a second mounting position, and comprising a door-closing fitting part (6, 7), which has a fastening section (13), which is designed both for the right-hinged and for the left-hinged mounting of the door-closing fitting part (6, 7) on at least one end wall (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the door leaf (2, 3), and which has a spring section (14), which is designed to move the door leaf (2, 3) into the closing closed position, wherein the fastening section (13) of the door-closing fitting part (6, 7) has a recess (15) on each of two opposite sides, and a separate connecting piece (17) is inserted in a form-closed manner by means of a partial segment (17a) of the height of the connecting piece either into the one recess (15) or the other recess (15) in dependence on the mounting position of the door-closing fitting part (6, 7), and a partial segment (17b) of the connecting piece (17) protruding from the recess (15) engages in a form-closed manner in a particular opening (16) in the end wall (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of the door leaf (2, 3), said opening corresponding to the mounting position.