Refrigerator Door-Container Hinges for Cold-Air Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with auxiliary doors and multiple gaskets experience increased cold air loss and power consumption due to dew formation and the need for independent door operation, which complicates stable fixing and user access to storage compartments.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a single gasket for the door, a unique hinge system allowing independent rotation of the container and door, and a fixing device that stabilizes the container to the cabinet when the door is rotated, reducing cold air loss and enhancing user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an auxiliary door is installed between the cabinet and the door, then user access to storage compartments is improved, but cold air loss increases due to multiple gaskets
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into a door body and a container that can rotate independently. The container acts as an auxiliary access point, allowing users to access frequently used items without opening the main door, thereby reducing cold air loss while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is nested within the door structure, with the container rotatably coupled to the door. This nested configuration allows the container to function as an auxiliary door within the main door, providing additional access points without requiring a separate auxiliary door that would add another gasket.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container and door are rotatably coupled, then user access flexibility is improved, but the container may rotate unintentionally when the door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the door and container is made dynamic through a fixing device that can selectively transition between a fixed state (when the door is stationary) and a movable state (when the door rotates). This allows the container to remain stable during normal use while enabling flexible access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is configured to automatically engage and fix the container's position when the door begins to rotate, preventing unintentional container rotation. This preliminary action occurs before the container can be displaced, ensuring stability during door operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixing device is added to prevent container rotation, then container stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the door's position and movement, without requiring external control mechanisms. The device self-activates when the door rotates, fixing the container in place, and self-releases when the door is stationary, thereby maintaining stability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and container, mediating their relative motion. It provides a simple mechanical coupling that allows controlled rotation while preventing unwanted movement, adding minimal complexity while effectively solving the stability problem.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet with a first storage region sealable by a gasket of a door. A first hinge, outside a sealing region, allows the door to rotate relative to the cabinet. A second hinge, inside the sealing region, allows the door to rotate relative to a container having a second storage region that can be accommodated inside the first storage region. Rotating shafts of the first and second hinges are non-collinear, and a coupling between the container and the second hinge is drawn forward when the door rotates independent of the container. A guide unit protrudes into the first storage region and is selectively coupled to a fixing device at the container. The fixing device includes a push unit pushable by the door and a holder that fixes the guide unit as a rotation axis of the container, and releases the push unit from a pushed state.