Refrigerator Door Opening Device with Rib-Guided Head Cover Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door opening devices for refrigerators face issues with horizontal alignment of the head cover due to assembling steps and sensing deviations of the rack bar, leading to misalignment and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a pair of protruding ribs on the door opening device that align the head cover horizontally by contacting the rear surface, ensuring proper alignment and compensating for sensing deviations using a hall sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing of the gasket is increased to reduce cold air leakage, then the sealing performance is improved, but a strong power is required when opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening force is segmented into two phases: initial high force to overcome strong gasket sealing, and subsequent lower force for door movement. The motor operates in high-torque mode initially, then switches to normal operation mode, dividing the force requirement into manageable stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening device uses dynamic force adjustment through motor control. The motor torque is dynamically adjusted based on door position and resistance, providing high initial force when needed and reducing force during normal operation, adapting to the changing mechanical conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the head cover is horizontally aligned using a separate case cover structure, then the alignment is improved, but an additional assembling step occurs between the case cover and door opening device
Solution Approach 1:
The case cover and door opening device are merged into a single integrated assembly. The support protrusion is formed on the door opening device housing itself rather than on a separate case cover, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components while maintaining the alignment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing of the door opening device serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the motor and mechanical components, and includes the support protrusion for head cover alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
3Productivity
If the rack bar returns to its initial position after door opening, then the door opening function is completed, but the front surface of the head cover becomes misaligned and needs realignment
Solution Approach 1:
The support protrusion is positioned in advance on the housing to guide the head cover into proper horizontal alignment as the rack bar returns. This preliminary alignment structure ensures the head cover is correctly positioned before the next door opening operation, preventing misalignment accumulation.
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 improves the reliability of the door opening device assembly by ensuring the head cover is horizontally aligned, correcting sensing deviations, and enhancing the operational efficiency of the door opening mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
compensating for sensing deviations using a hall sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A door opening device (30) for opening a door assembly (20), comprising: a housing (31);a rack bar (37) accommodated in the housing (31) and configured to move to extract from the housing (31) or to retract into the housing (31);a head cover (374) connected to one end of the rack bar (37) and configured to push a surface of the door assembly (20); and a pair of protruding ribs (353) protruding from the housing (31) to correspond the head cover (374).