Refrigerator Door Front Panel Frame for Precise 3D Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for adjusting the front panel of household appliances, such as refrigerators, to match neighboring furniture are time-consuming and prone to errors, as they require provisional hanging and precise measurement for bridge attachment.

Innovation Solution

A door structure with protruding webs from the front panel clamped between the door leaf's narrow sides and a strip, using screws with recesses for secure adjustment, allowing horizontal and vertical adjustment, and a frame assembly for simplified alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the front panel is provisionally hung and bridges are mounted one after the other, then the front panel can be adjusted to match furniture, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is pre-assembled with all four bridges and angle sections connected together before being mounted to the door leaf. This preliminary assembly establishes precise geometric relationships between all components, eliminating the need for sequential mounting and repeated measurements during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate mounting operations are merged into a single frame assembly unit. The four bridges and angle sections are combined into one integrated structure that is mounted as a single component, reducing the number of assembly steps from mounting each bridge individually to mounting one frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple brackets are attached to the door leaf with different distances, then the front panel position can be adjusted, but the complexity of the mounting structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure incorporates adjustable elements that allow the frame to be positioned at different locations on the door leaf while maintaining structural integrity. The angle sections and bridges are designed to accommodate positional variations without requiring multiple different bracket configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables positional adjustment, ensures precise alignment, and simplifies assembly. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated design where the same components perform multiple roles in the mounting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the front panel is detached and reattached multiple times for bridge mounting, then precise positioning is achieved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

All positioning and alignment operations are performed during the pre-assembly of the frame structure before it is mounted to the door leaf. The geometric relationships between bridges and angle sections are established in advance, so no further detachment or repositioning is needed during final installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning functions of all four bridges are combined and executed simultaneously during frame assembly. By mounting the complete frame as one unit, the positioning operations that would otherwise require separate steps are consolidated, eliminating repeated detachment and reattachment cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2156120B1Household appliance
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2156120B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance comprising a door that is at least sectionally transparent and an interior space (1) provided with interior lighting that is accessible via the door (4), wherein the interior lighting (19) can be turned on or off when the door (4) is closed.