Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with protruding refrigerating compartment doors occupy kitchen space, increase collision risks, and compromise aesthetics when installed in furniture cabinets, due to limited thickness reduction while maintaining storage space.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a single door that rotates to open and close the storage compartment, incorporating a panel assembly made of glass or transparent plastic, with a basket system and insulating panels to maintain space efficiency and prevent door liner separation from the frame under food load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the refrigerating compartment door thickness is reduced to prevent protrusion from the furniture cabinet, then the door can fit within the cabinet space, but the structural strength and stability of the door are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door employs a composite structure combining a door frame, door liner, and insulator. The door frame provides structural strength while the door liner and insulator are positioned within the reduced thickness, achieving both space efficiency and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The door is divided into multiple components (door frame, door liner, insulator) that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows the overall door thickness to be reduced while maintaining the structural function of each component
2Volume of moving object
If the door structure is simplified to reduce thickness, then space utilization improves, but the ability to maintain storage space visibility and functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly serves multiple functions: the door frame provides structural support, the door liner maintains insulation, and the insulator provides thermal protection. This multi-functionality is achieved within a reduced thickness configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The door components are arranged in a layered configuration along the thickness dimension, with the door frame, door liner, and insulator positioned at different depths, maximizing functional density within limited space
3Ease of operation
If a basket is installed on the door liner to accommodate foods, then storage convenience improves, but the door liner may separate from the door frame under the weight of foods
Solution Approach 1:
The door liner includes a specifically designed connection portion with enhanced structural properties at the critical connection point, providing localized strength to prevent separation under the weight of the basket and its contents
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portion features a curved or reinforced geometry that distributes the load from the basket more effectively, preventing stress concentration and potential separation between the door liner and door frame
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage space and a door configured to open and close the storage space. The door includes comprises: a panel assembly comprising a front panel, a door frame connected to the panel assembly, a door liner defining, with the door frame, an insulating space that accommodates an insulator, and a basket installed on the door liner. The door liner includes: an outer body, a liner extension portion extending from the outer body in a direction crossing the outer body, and a plurality of ribs that are disposed at the outer body and that are spaced apart from the liner extension portion. The door frame comprises a frame extension portion that is disposed between the plurality of ribs and the liner extension portion.