Refrigerator Door Linkage for Low-Force Sealed Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large refrigerators require significant force to open due to magnetic and negative pressure sealing, making it difficult for the elderly and children to operate the doors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A door opening and closing device that uses a rotating shaft connected to a connecting rod, driven by an electromagnet and motor, allowing for automatic operation and manual override, ensuring the door can be opened and closed with reduced effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic door sealing strips are used to seal the door to the refrigerator body, then the sealing and heat preservation performance is improved, but the force required to open the door increases to 40-70N
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting rod is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element between the door handle and the rotating shaft. The connecting rod transforms the user's input force into rotational motion, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the direct force needed to overcome the magnetic sealing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual door opening mechanism is replaced with an automated drive system comprising a motor, reduction mechanism, and control unit. The motor-driven rotating shaft automatically opens and closes the door, eliminating the need for users to manually overcome the magnetic sealing force.
2Reliability
If the door is sealed with a long contact surface between the door sealing strip and refrigerator body, then the heat preservation performance is improved, but the negative pressure inside the refrigerator increases making door opening more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The manual door opening system is replaced with an automated motor-driven system. The motor provides sufficient torque to overcome both the magnetic sealing force and the negative pressure differential, automatically opening the door without requiring user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit activates the motor before the user attempts to open the door, allowing the rotating shaft to pre-position the door or reduce the pressure differential, thereby easing the subsequent opening operation.
3Ease of operation
If an automated door opening and closing device is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional drive means and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft serves multiple functions: it transmits motor torque to open and close the door, and it can also be manually operated when the automated system is not functioning. The connecting rod similarly serves both as a mechanical linkage in automated mode and as a manual operation interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is configured to automatically detect when door operation is needed and activate the motor accordingly, eliminating the need for separate control interfaces or complex user interactions. The system serves itself by automatically managing the door opening and closing cycles.
4Extent of automation
If the connecting rod is permanently connected to the rotating shaft, then the automated door opening function is improved, but the ability to manually open the door when powered off is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the connecting rod and rotating shaft is made dynamic rather than fixed. The connecting rod can engage with the rotating shaft during automated operation and disengage when needed, allowing the system to switch between automated and manual modes. This dynamic connection enables the rotating shaft to be manually rotated when the motor is not powered.
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 device facilitates easy operation of refrigerator doors by automating the opening and closing process while allowing manual operation when powered off or in case of device failure, enhancing usability for all users, especially the elderly and children.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, wherein after the second end of the connecting rod is inserted into the shaft hole, the elastic member is compressed, so that the elastic member can drive the connecting rod to move away from the shaft hole
Implementation Method 2
doors and refrigerator bodies are generally sealed by using soft door sealing strips with magnetic strips, wherein the door sealing strips are installed on the doors and are integral with the doors, the doors are magnetically attracted to the refrigerator bodies by the door sealing strips
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a door opening and closing device, and a refrigerator. A door of the refrigerator is rotatably connected to a refrigerator body by means of a rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the door, the door opening and closing device includes a connecting rod, a first drive means, a second drive means and an elastic member. The connecting rod is arranged on the door, and the connecting rod includes a first end and a second end that matches a shaft hole. The first drive means is connected to the connecting rod and is configured to drive the connecting rod to rotate. The second drive means is configured to drive the connecting rod to move towards the shaft hole, and cause the second end of the connecting rod to be inserted into the shaft hole.