Refrigerator Door Opening Device with Single-Motor Multi-Door Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators often have complex door opening mechanisms that are difficult to assemble and use, leading to increased material costs and reduced user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a door opening device that can open multiple doors using a single motor, with simplified assembly and improved user convenience through protruding switch modules for easy operation, including a switch module with a touch surface and a curved design to enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single motor is used to open multiple doors, then material costs are reduced and assembly is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor unit is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially opening different doors. The motor unit includes a motor, gear assembly, and push rods that can be configured to open the first door, second door, or both doors through a unified control mechanism, reducing the need for multiple separate motors while maintaining the ability to independently control each door.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening mechanism is segmented into independent functional modules: a motor unit, a gear assembly with selectable gear positions, and multiple push rods. The gear assembly can selectively engage different push rods based on which door needs to be opened, allowing the system to divide the door opening task into manageable segments controlled by a single motor.
2Ease of operation
If switch modules are recessed into the door side member, then the design is compact, but user convenience and operability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switch module is pre-assembled with the circuit board mounted on the case before being installed into the door side member. The protruding portion of the switch module case is designed in advance to align with the opening in the door side member, facilitating easier installation and positioning during assembly while maintaining user accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch module case acts as an intermediary component between the circuit board and the door side member. The case provides a mounting structure with a protruding portion that interfaces with the opening in the door side member, simplifying the assembly process by providing a pre-fabricated interface rather than requiring direct attachment of the circuit board to the door structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a main body including a storage compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the storage compartment; and a door opening device provided in the main body and including a drive motor, the door opening device being configured to open the door, wherein the door includes: a door front member forming a front surface of the door; a door side member forming a side surface of the door and having an opening; a side cap coupled to an inner surface of the door side member and including a handle that is recessed and a switch mounting space; and a switch module mounted in the switch mounting space through the opening and configured to receive an input for operating the door opening device.