Refrigerator Door Gap Adjusting Device with Detachable Height Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators have complex gap adjusting devices that are difficult to use, making it hard for users to intuitively adjust the door step height, leading to unintentional changes during door operation due to friction or user error.
Innovation Solution
A simple gap adjusting device with a detachable adjusting member that includes multiple height settings, allowing users to visually identify and adjust the step height by rotating the member to align with corresponding support parts, ensuring stable mounting and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional gap adjusting device is used, then the door step can be adjusted, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gap adjusting device is divided into separate functional components: a support part fixed to the door, an adjusting member with multiple height-adjustable contact surfaces, and a constraint mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting member is designed to be rotatable relative to the support part, allowing dynamic adjustment of the contact surface height. The constraint structure locks the adjusting member at selected positions, providing both adjustability and stability. This dynamic design replaces complex fixed structures with a simpler movable-and-lockable mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gap adjusting device is mounted on the door, then height adjustment is enabled, but the coupling structure becomes not concise and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a support part (mounted on door) and an adjusting member (separately attachable), allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. The support part can be pre-installed on the door during door assembly, while the adjusting member can be separately prepared and then coupled, simplifying the overall assembly process and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support part is prepared and mounted on the door in advance, creating a pre-assembled base structure. This preliminary action allows the adjusting member to be coupled to an already-positioned component, reducing assembly complexity and improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If rotational manipulation is used for adjustment, then the gap can be adjusted, but the adjustment state changes unintentionally due to friction or user carelessness
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint structure provides mechanical feedback by engaging with the adjusting member at specific locked positions. When the adjusting member is rotated to a desired height, the constraint structure automatically engages to lock it in place, providing tactile feedback to the user and preventing unintentional movement. This feedback mechanism ensures the adjustment state remains stable without requiring continuous user attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint structure is designed to preemptively counteract the harmful effect of friction and user carelessness by providing a positive locking mechanism. Before the adjusting member can move unintentionally, the constraint structure's engagement prevents such movement, effectively applying a counter-action to maintain the adjusted state.
4Ease of manufacture
If the adjusting member is detachably mounted, then easy assembly is achieved, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable mounting is achieved through segmentation into a support part with a mounting interface and an adjusting member with a corresponding coupling interface. This segmentation allows simple attachment and detachment operations while the interfaces are designed to be self-aligning and easy to engage, reducing the perceived complexity despite the detachable nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is designed with universal coupling features that can accommodate the adjusting member in multiple positions and orientations. The support part's mounting interface serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling detachable coupling, and facilitating alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex mounting mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, a door configured to open and close the storage space, and a gap adjusting device configured to be provided between the cabinet and the door and to adjust a gap between the cabinet and the door, in which the gap adjusting device includes a seating part formed on the door, and an adjusting member which is detachably mounted on the seating part and is in contact with the cabinet in a state where the door is closed, a plurality of adjusting parts having different heights are formed on the adjusting member, and a gap between the cabinet and the door is adjusted according to a combination of a contact surface between the seating part and the adjusting part selected when the adjusting member is mounted.