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 integrated into furniture cabinets, due to limited thickness reduction while maintaining storage capacity and visibility of the storage compartment.
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 for visibility, with a basket system and insulating panels to maintain space efficiency and prevent door liner separation from the frame under load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the refrigerating compartment door thickness is reduced to prevent protrusion from furniture cabinet, then space utilization and aesthetics are improved, but the structural strength and stability of the door deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly combines multiple materials including transparent plastic or glass panel assembly, insulating panels, door liner, and frame structure to achieve both thin profile and structural strength. The composite structure allows the door to maintain adequate strength while reducing overall thickness to prevent cabinet protrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is divided into multiple functional components: panel assembly (front visible portion), insulating panels (thermal insulation layer), door liner (inner structural layer), and frame (support structure). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively achieving the thin-profile requirement.
2Device complexity
If a single door is used to open and close the storage compartment, then device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of maintaining structural integrity under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single door is segmented into multiple components (panel assembly, insulating panels, door liner, frame) that work together to maintain structural integrity. The segmentation allows the door to remain structurally sound under load while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple materials and structural layers are combined in the single door assembly to ensure reliability and structural integrity while keeping the overall design simple and functional.
3Ease of manufacture
If the door liner and frame are separated to allow independent assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of preventing separation under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Connection structures such as ribs and extension portions are pre-formed during manufacturing to ensure proper alignment and connection between door liner and frame. This preliminary preparation facilitates easy assembly while ensuring reliable connection under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is segmented into separable components (door liner, frame, insulating panels) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. Connection features like ribs and extension portions are designed to ensure reliable joining while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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.