Refrigerator Door Coupling for Selective Compartment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack a mechanism to selectively access main and auxiliary storage compartments without opening the door, leading to inefficiencies in user convenience and cold air preservation.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a coupler and clasp system that allows for the selective coupling and release of components, utilizing a hook with an elastic member and sloped surfaces to facilitate rotation and secure attachment, enabling the user to choose between accessing compartments individually or together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door is opened to access the auxiliary storage compartment, then the user can access stored items, but cold air is lost and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator door system is segmented into a main door and a separate auxiliary storage compartment with independent access. The auxiliary compartment can be opened independently from the main door, allowing users to access frequently used items without exposing the entire refrigerator interior to ambient air, thereby reducing cold air loss and energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If a fixing device allows easy release of coupling, then user convenience is improved, but coupling reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device employs a dynamic coupling mechanism where the coupler can be easily released by applying force in a specific direction, causing the hooked shape to disengage from the clasp. The elastic member provides dynamic support that allows the coupler to move between engaged and disengaged states, enabling convenient operation while maintaining secure coupling during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed with a hooked shape that curves around the clasp, creating a mechanical interlock through its curved geometry. This curved design allows the coupler to snap into place securely while still permitting easy release when force is applied, combining reliability with ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the hook is positioned close to the rotation center, then structural compactness is improved, but the ability to rotate and release coupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact point between the coupler and clasp is positioned at a distance from the rotation center, creating a lever arm that extends in a direction perpendicular to the main body of the coupler. This dimensional extension provides sufficient torque for easy rotation and release while keeping the overall coupler size compact, as the lever arm utilizes space efficiently rather than increasing the coupler's main dimensions.
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
Enhances user convenience by allowing easy selection of compartment access and maintaining cold air preservation by preventing unnecessary door openings, while ensuring secure coupling and release of components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to elastically support the hook such that the hook is rotated toward the clasp
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a fixing device and a refrigerator having the same. The fixing device includes a clasp (400) installed to a first member (12), the clasp having a contact portion (402, 404) defining a plane, and a coupler (500) installed to a second member (100), the coupler serving to fix the second member to the first member to enable selective coupling or release of the second member and the first member. The coupler includes a hook (510) having a protruding tip portion (511) configured to come into contact with the contact portions (402, 404) so as to be caught by the contact portion (404), the hook being rotatable, and an elastic member (52,0) configured to elastically support the hook such that the hook is rotated toward the clasp. A contact position of the protruding tip portion and the contact portion is spaced apart from a rotation center of the hook by a predetermined distance (d).