Built-In Refrigerator Door Damping for Quiet Panel Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Built-in refrigerators generate undesirable noise during the closing movement due to the force applied by users, causing the door to be pressed against the frame, leading to unwanted noise.

Innovation Solution

A damping device is introduced between the refrigerator door and the furniture front panel, operatively connected to both, utilizing relative movement to dampen the closing action, with configurations such as a damping cylinder, self-closing device, or radial damper to absorb and dampen forces, ensuring a smooth closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the household appliance door is attached directly to the furniture front panel, then the door can be opened and closed together with the furniture front panel, but the door is pressed with great force against the frame during closing movement, generating undesirable noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening and closing operationVSAvoidnoise during closing movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping device is introduced as an intermediary element between the household appliance door and the furniture front panel. This damping device absorbs and reduces the impact forces during closing movement, thereby eliminating the noise problem while preserving the direct attachment and operation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a swivel joint is equipped on the household appliance door and furniture front panel, then the door can move relative to the furniture front panel during opening and closing, but the closing movement generates great force against the frame, resulting in noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative movement capabilityVSAvoidnoise during closing movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device serves as a mediator between the swivel joint mechanism and the door assembly. It allows the relative movement functionality to be maintained while absorbing the harmful impact forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the frame and generate noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping device is pre-installed in the closing path of the door assembly. Before the door makes contact with the frame during closing movement, the damping device is already in position to absorb and cushion the impact forces, preventing noise generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no damping device is provided, then the construction remains simple, but the closing movement of the door generates great force and undesirable noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment system complexityVSAvoidnoise during closing movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A relatively simple damping device is introduced as an intermediary component. This adds minimal complexity to the attachment system while effectively solving the noise problem by absorbing impact forces during door closing movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 damping device effectively reduces noise by damping the closing movement, ensuring a quiet and smooth operation of the refrigerator door and furniture front panel, enhancing the overall user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The damping device arranged in this way uses the relative movement of the household appliance door and furniture front panel to one another effectively for damping the closing movement of the household appliance door and the furniture front panel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a damping device is provided between the household appliance door and the furniture front panel, which is operatively connected to the household appliance door and the furniture front panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2536986B1Domestic appliance

Publication Date: 2014.12.03 HETTICH ONI

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1), in particular a refrigerator, which can be fitted into a furniture body (2), comprising a front furniture panel (4) which lies on the front face of the domestic appliance door (3) and which is provided with at least one pivot joint (5). The front panel is connected to the front face of the domestic appliance door (3), and a damping device (7, 20) is provided between the domestic appliance door (3) and the front furniture panel (4), said damping device being operatively connected to the domestic appliance door (3) and the furniture front panel (4).