Refrigerator Door Hinge Wire Routing to Reduce Shaft Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
As refrigerators become larger and more multifunctional, the increased number of electrical components on the door leads to a protrusion of the hinge shaft, causing interference with neighboring walls and furniture during door rotation, and requires separate wire arrangements to prevent interference when the door is opened.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design where all electrical wires connected to multiple electrical components inside the door are guided through a hinge shaft, reducing the number of wires by sharing them on a single PCB, which includes a capacitance sensor and a vibration detection sensor, and using a PCB cover to shield the PCB, allowing the wires to pass through without increasing the hinge shaft diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical wires are connected to multiple electrical components inside the door, then the functionality of the refrigerator is improved, but the hinge shaft diameter increases causing door corners to protrude and interfere with neighboring walls and furniture
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate electrical wires are merged into a single bundled wire arrangement that passes through the hinge shaft. The wires are routed together through a common path and secured with tie wraps, allowing multiple electrical connections while maintaining the original hinge shaft dimensions and preventing door corner protrusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electrical wires are used for multiple electrical components, then each component can be independently connected, but a separate electrical wire arrangement structure is required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A single wire arrangement structure serves multiple functions by accommodating and routing all electrical wires for different components (capacitance sensor, vibration detection sensor, PCB) through the hinge shaft. This universal wiring approach eliminates the need for separate arrangement structures for each wire, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining full electrical connectivity.
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
This design prevents door corner interference, enhances assembly workability, and improves productivity by reducing the number of wires and simplifying the installation of manipulation detection devices, while maintaining the hinge shaft diameter.
Implementation Method 1
The first manipulation detection device may be a capacitance sensor that may detect the proximity of a user's body.
Implementation Method 2
The second manipulation detection device may be a vibration detection sensor that detects the user's knocking manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and a hinge connecting the door and the cabinet. The door includes: a front panel forming a front surface of the door and allowing light to pass through; a door liner provided at a rear of the front panel and forming a rear surface of the door; an upper cap forming an upper surface of the door and to which the hinge is axially coupled; a first manipulation detection device provided inside the door and detecting the proximity of a user; and a second manipulation detection device provided inside the door and detecting the operation of a user. A PCB on which both the first manipulation detection device and the second manipulation detection device are mounted is provided inside the door, and an electrical wire connected to the PCB is guided to the outside of the door through the hinge.