Refrigerator Double-Door Latch for Synchronized Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with double doors face inconvenience and potential damage when the first and second doors are opened together, as they tend to separate, affecting usability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A latch unit is integrated into the door system, connecting and fixing the second door to the first door when the first door opens, and releasing the connection when it closes, using a torsion member and push portion to ensure synchronized operation without additional covers, thus maintaining appearance quality and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second door is provided in the first door to access the door pocket, then the variety of food storage is improved and the effect of preserving the cold air is obtained, but the first door and the second door are separated when opened together causing inconvenience and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a first door and a second door that can operate independently. The second door is provided within the first door to access the door pocket, allowing separate access to different storage areas. This segmentation enables improved food storage versatility while maintaining the ability to preserve cold air in the main compartment when only the second door is opened.
Solution Approach 2:
A latch unit is provided that automatically engages to connect the first door and the second door before they are opened together. This preliminary action of latching prevents the doors from separating during the opening process, thereby avoiding inconvenience and potential damage while maintaining the benefits of the double door configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the first door and the second door are opened together, then access to the storage compartment is improved, but the doors separate causing inconvenience and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The latch unit is configured to automatically engage and connect the first door and the second door before they are opened together. This preliminary latching action ensures that the doors remain connected during the opening process, preventing separation and the associated harm such as inconvenience and potential damage to the doors or stored food.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch unit acts as a protective mechanism that is activated in advance to prevent the harmful effect of door separation. By providing this latching connection beforehand, the system cushions against the potential damage and inconvenience that would otherwise occur when the doors are opened together.
3Reliability
If a latch unit is provided to fix the doors together, then door separation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch unit is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the relative positions of the first door and the second door. When the doors are in the closed position, the latch unit self-activates to connect them. When the doors are separated, the latch unit self-releases. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for additional control systems or manual operation, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable door connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch unit serves as a simple intermediary mechanism between the first door and the second door. It provides a straightforward mechanical connection that prevents door separation without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or multiple components. The latch unit mediates the interaction between the two doors in a simple and reliable manner.
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 prevents separation of the doors when opened together, enhancing user safety and convenience while maintaining a simple configuration and reducing material costs by maximizing space and appearance quality.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion member configured to apply a torque to the latch lever so that the latch lever rotates in a direction to which the latch lever is connected to the second door
Implementation Method 2
an auto close lever having one end portion fixed to the first door and having elasticity, and a roller rotatably installed in the other end portion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body provided with a storage compartment, a door unit provided with a first door provided with an opening and rotatably coupled to the body, and a second door configured to open or close the opening and provided in front of the first door, a latch unit provided in the door unit and configured to selectively fix the second door to the first door each other, and a first hinge unit provided in the body to support a rotation of the first door and provided with a push portion configured to selectively operate the latch unit according to the rotation of the first door.