Refrigerator Door with Intermediate Frame for Bidirectional Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers typically require complex assembly and hinge changes to allow door opening from both sides, limiting flexibility and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring an intermediate frame pivotally attached to the body with a first hinge and an outer door pivotally attached to the intermediate frame with a second hinge, where the pivot axes are arranged on opposite sides, allowing the door to be opened from either side without hinge changes, using locking mechanisms to secure the intermediate frame when closed and enabling it to pivot relative to the body when unlocked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the door hinge is changed to allow opening from both sides, then door opening flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into three main parts: the intermediate frame (which can pivot), the outer door (which remains fixed to the intermediate frame), and the body. This segmentation allows the intermediate frame to pivot independently about a first pivot axis while the outer door opens about a second pivot axis, enabling bidirectional opening without requiring the entire door assembly to be reconfigured.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate frame acts as an intermediary element between the body and the outer door. It provides a pivot connection to the body while maintaining a fixed connection to the outer door, thereby mediating the motion between these components and enabling the outer door to open in both directions without requiring the outer door itself to be pivotally connected to the body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the door hinge is changed to allow opening from both sides, then door opening flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the door into an intermediate frame and an outer door, the design allows for standardized production of each component. The intermediate frame can be manufactured as a separate module with its pivot connection to the body, while the outer door is manufactured separately and then assembled to the intermediate frame, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate frame serves multiple functions: it provides the pivot connection to the body, supports the outer door, and enables bidirectional opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while achieving the desired versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the intermediate frame is made completely empty for complete access, then accessibility to cooled interior is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate frame is designed with local quality variations: it is completely empty (open) in the regions where maximum accessibility is needed, while maintaining sufficient structural strength in the pivot connection areas and along its perimeter to ensure overall structural integrity. This localized design allows complete access to the cooled interior while preserving necessary strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a body in which there is a refrigerated interior and with a door through which the refrigerated interior can be closed, the door having an intermediate frame which is pivotably attached to the body about a first pivot axis and wherein the door has an outer door attached to the intermediate frame such that it can pivot about a second pivot axis, wherein the first and second pivot axes do not coincide and wherein locking means are provided which, in the locked state, fix the intermediate frame to the body so that it cannot be pivoted relative to the body, and which, in the unlocked state, allow the intermediate frame to pivot relative to the body.