Refrigerator Door Locking Assembly for Pressure-Induced Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with side-by-side doors experience refrigeration leakage due to poor stopping effects, causing one door to open when air pressure increases during closure of the other door.
Innovation Solution
A door locking assembly featuring a pivoting shaft, rotating member, elastic member, stopping member, and positioning member that locks the door onto the cabinet when closed, preventing sudden opening and refrigeration leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is allowed to move freely for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but refrigeration leakage occurs when air pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses a dynamic rotating member that can move between locked and unlocked positions. During normal operation, the door moves freely. When closing is detected, the rotating member rotates to engage the locking protrusion, dynamically transitioning from free movement to locked position only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly applies preliminary anti-action by engaging the locking surfaces before air pressure can cause the door to open. The elastic component continuously applies force to maintain the locked position, counteracting the harmful effect of pressure differential before it can overcome the seal.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent door opening, then refrigeration leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing door closing mechanism. The rotating member is integrated into the door structure, and the locking engagement occurs automatically as part of the closing motion, eliminating the need for separate locking actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is self-service in that it automatically engages when the door is closed. The elastic component self-regulates the force applied to the rotating member, and the mechanical engagement of the locking protrusion and groove occurs without external control, reducing system complexity.
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 door locking assembly ensures the door remains tightly locked on the cabinet, even with sudden air pressure changes, effectively preventing refrigeration leakage and enhancing the reliability of the refrigerator's sealing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member defining a first end fixed on the door and a second end connected with the rotating member so as to apply a force on the rotating member
Data Source
AI summary
A door locking assembly for a refrigerator includes a pivoting shaft (20) mounted on the door (80) of a refrigerator along a vertical direction. A rotating member (30) defines a first end (31) pivotably connected with the pivoting shaft (20) and a second end (32). The elastic member (40) defines a first end (41) fixed on the door (80) and a second end (42) connected with the rotating member (30) so as to apply a force on the rotating member (30). A stopping member (10) is disposed on the door (80) and configured to stop the rotating member (30) at a predetermined position. The positioning member (50) is disposed on the cabinet (90) of the refrigerator and configured to engage with the second end (32) of the rotating member (30) so as to lock the door (80) onto the cabinet (90) when the door (80) is closed.