Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator doors with increased weight due to additional features or materials cause difficulty in opening and closing, leading to noise, impact, and exposure of damping structures, requiring additional space for damper disposition.
Innovation Solution
A door damping structure with a detection device and damping device integrated inside the door, using a magnet and oil damper system to minimize external exposure and provide soft closing, reducing manufacturing costs and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a damping device is disposed externally to reduce door closing speed, then the door closing speed is reduced, but the damping device is exposed to the outside and additional disposition space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is nested inside the door structure, specifically utilizing the door dike space. The rod penetrates through the door thickness and contacts the detection device on the cabinet side, while the main damping mechanism (cylinder, piston, spring) is concealed within the door's internal cavity, hiding it from external view while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The damping device transitions from an external lateral disposition to an internal disposition utilizing the door's thickness dimension. The rod extends through the door in the thickness direction, allowing the damping action to occur within the door's internal volume rather than requiring external space
2Shape
If heavy materials such as glass or metal are used to enhance the outer appearance of the refrigerator door, then the outer appearance is improved, but the weight of the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping force parameters are adjusted to accommodate the increased door weight. The spring constant and orifice dimensions are designed to provide appropriate damping characteristics for heavier doors, ensuring controlled closing speed despite the weight increase from aesthetic materials
3Shape
If the damping device is disposed inside the door, then the outer appearance is improved, but the disposition space inside the door is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is nested within the door dike structure, utilizing the space between the door liner and the door outer shell. This nested arrangement conceals the damping mechanism within the door's existing structural voids without requiring additional external space
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 solution improves the refrigerator's outer appearance by hiding the damping device, reduces noise and shaking, and optimizes spatial disposition without additional installation space, enhancing productivity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The damping device may include a magnet, and the detection device may include a detection sensor which detects the magnet
Implementation Method 2
a damping device which is provided on the door and reduces the closing speed of the door
Implementation Method 3
a spring which is accommodated in the compressed space and providing elastic force to the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet which has a storage space; a door which opens and closes the storage space; a detection device which is provided in the cabinet and detects the closing of the door; and a damping device which is provided on the door and reduces the closing speed of the door, in which the damping device is disposed at a position corresponding to the detection device and is in contact with the detection device when the door is closed.