Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack an efficient and user-friendly mechanism for adjusting the height of doors, which can affect the external appearance and usability.
Innovation Solution
A height adjusting device is integrated into the refrigerator door, comprising a lever operable from the outside, a power transmission member, and a support member that adjusts the door height through a rotating mechanism, allowing the door to be raised or lowered without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a height adjusting device is added to the refrigerator door, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjusting device is integrated into the door structure by coupling the support member to the hinge, merging the adjustment function with the existing door assembly rather than adding a separate standalone mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is provided to be operable from the outside of the door, allowing users to directly manipulate the height adjustment mechanism without requiring tools or specialized knowledge, making the system self-serviceable
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power transmission member is made movable to enable height adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission member is designed to be movable along the support member, allowing dynamic adjustment of door height while maintaining stable support at each selected position through the constrained linear movement path
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the movable power transmission member and the door, guiding the power transmission member's movement and translating it into controlled door height adjustment while maintaining structural stability
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
Enables easy and tool-free adjustment of door height, maintaining a neat external appearance and minimizing gaps between doors, while requiring minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
a lever provided to be operable from an outside of the door; a power transmission member provided to be movable as the lever rotates
Implementation Method 2
The support member may include a support inclined portion configured to support the power transmission member such that the height of the door is adjusted in response to the power transmission member being moved in the first direction or the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator including a main body configured to form a storage chamber, a door configured to open and close the storage chamber, a hinge configured to rotatably support the door, and a height adjusting device configured to be coupled to the hinge and located inside the door, wherein the height adjusting device includes a lever provided to be operable from an outside of the door, a power transmission member provided to be movable as the lever rotates, and a support member configured to guide the power transmission member in a first direction as the lever rotates to move the power transmission member so that a height of the door is increased, and guide the power transmission member in a second direction, different from the first direction, as the lever rotates to move the power transmission member so that the height of the door is decreased.