refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in type refrigerators with low overall height face challenges in securing space for door opening sensors and actuators due to limited space, and the installation of electric circuit components like touch buttons is difficult without compromising aesthetics or foaming agent insulation.
Innovation Solution
A door opening device is positioned on the lower portion of the cabinet, allowing it to protrude towards the rear of the door assembly, with operation modules installed on the upper portion, enabling easy maintenance and avoiding interference, while maintaining a slim door frame for enhanced aesthetics and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric circuit components are installed in the front surface of the door, then the door can be operated, but the transparent portion of the front surface is reduced, deteriorating the aesthetics of the refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
The electric circuit components (touch button, sensor) are extracted from the front surface of the door and relocated to the rear surface of the door assembly. This allows the front surface to maintain its full transparent window area for aesthetic purposes, while the rear surface accommodates the operational components without compromising either function.
2Reliability
If the door frame is thickened to secure foaming space, then thermal insulation is improved, but the window area is reduced or the door frame is exposed, deteriorating the aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The foaming space is relocated from the front surface area to the rear surface of the door assembly. The rear surface is configured with a recessed structure that provides sufficient depth for foaming agent injection and expansion, allowing the door frame to maintain a slim profile from the front while securing adequate insulation space at the rear.
3Length of stationary object
If the overall height of the refrigerator is reduced for built-in type, then the refrigerator fits better in kitchen islands, but space for installing sensor and actuator is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening device transitions from a horizontal actuator configuration to a vertical push rod mechanism. The push rod extends vertically from the lower portion of the cabinet toward the door assembly, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate the actuator and sensor components within the reduced overall height, thereby maintaining automatic door opening functionality without increasing the refrigerator's footprint.
4Extent of automation
If operation modules are installed in the door frame, then door opening control is enabled, but maintenance of electric circuit components becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional layers: the front surface with transparent window, the middle door frame structure, and the rear surface with recessed component mounting area. The operation modules are installed in the rear surface recess, which is accessible from the outside without disassembling the door, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining automated door opening control.
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 allows for easy door opening, improved maintenance accessibility, and enhanced aesthetics by maintaining a slim door frame and wide window area, reducing manufacturing time and cost, and ensuring effective insulation and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerator door in which a foaming agent such as polyurethane is filled for thermal insulation performance
Implementation Method 2
A door opening device is positioned on the lower portion of the cabinet, allowing it to protrude towards the rear of the door assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A refrigerator is proposed. In the refrigerator, a door frame and a perimetric surface of an insulation door panel of a panel unit are spaced apart from each other. A component receiving groove is provided between the door frame and the perimetric surface of the insulation door panel, so that an operation module is received in the component receiving groove. When the operation module is received in the component receiving groove, at least of a part of the operation module is arranged to face a front surface of the panel unit through a bezel portion constituting the front surface of the panel unit. Therefore, a space for installing the operation module such as a detection sensor or a touch sensor is provided to be sufficiently wide along an edge of a door.