Refrigerator Door Opening Device Curved Push Rod Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs make it difficult to increase the opening angle of a door when both hands are occupied, as the gap between the doors is insufficient, limiting the user's ability to open the door using their elbow or foot.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a door opening device that includes a motor, push rod, and gear system, where the push rod moves to position the rear surface of one door in front of the other, allowing for a larger opening angle, even when hands are not free, by engaging with a rack gear and maintaining contact with the cabinet's front surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional door opening mechanism is used, then the door can be opened, but the gap between doors is insufficient and the opening angle cannot be easily increased when hands are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The push rod is designed with a curved path of motion rather than a straight line, allowing the door to achieve a larger opening angle. The curved trajectory enables the push rod to push the door at an optimal angle throughout the opening process, maximizing the gap between doors while maintaining a compact mechanism structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a simple linear push to a two-dimensional curved motion path. By adding the dimensional aspect of curved motion, the system achieves both a larger opening angle and sufficient gap between doors without proportionally increasing the complexity of the mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the push rod is positioned away from the hinge shaft, then the mechanism is simpler, but the opening angle cannot be sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning the push rod adjacent to the hinge shaft and giving it a curved motion path allows the mechanism to achieve a larger opening angle. The curved trajectory compensates for the reduced lever arm distance, maintaining mechanical advantage while enabling the door to open to a greater angle and create sufficient gap between doors.
3Reliability
If the rack gear is straight, then the mechanism is simpler, but the push rod cannot maintain contact with the cabinet surface throughout the opening motion
Solution Approach 1:
The rack gear is designed with a curved shape that matches the arc of the push rod's motion. This curvature ensures continuous contact between the push rod and the cabinet surface throughout the opening sequence, maintaining reliable force transmission. The curved rack gear works in conjunction with the curved push rod path to ensure smooth, contact-free operation.
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
Enables the user to easily increase the opening angle of the door using their elbow or foot, providing a larger gap for manual adjustment, even when hands are occupied, while maintaining the door's stability and reducing the risk of damage to the push rod and gears.
Implementation Method 1
a motor for generating a driving force
Implementation Method 2
a gear for transferring the driving force of the motor to the push rod
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an aspect includes a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a first refrigerator door which is capable of opening and closing the storage compartment; a second refrigerator door which is disposed along with the first refrigerator door in a lateral direction; and a door opening device which is capable of operating in order to open and close at least one of the first refrigerator door and the second refrigerator door, wherein the door opening device includes a motor for generating a driving force; a push rod which operates by receiving the driving force generating from the motor; a gear for transferring the driving force of the motor to the push rod, wherein the push rod moves from an initial position to the door opening position, in a case where the motor operates for opening of the one refrigerator door of the first refrigerator door and the second refrigerator door, and wherein at least a portion of the rear surface of the one refrigerator door is positioned on the front side of the front surface of the other refrigerator door of first refrigerator door and the second refrigerator door, in a state where the push rod is moved to the door opening position.