Home appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator door panels are difficult to attach and detach, leading to issues with appearance change, gaps, deformation due to impacts, and material-specific component sharing, which affects aesthetics, rigidity, and durability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a buffer member and adhesive system that allows easy attachment and detachment of door panels, minimizing gaps and preventing deformation, while using a unified decor structure for various materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional panel structure is used to define the outer appearance of the door, then the appearance can be customized, but it is not easy to attach and detach the glass panel
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into separate components: a door body and a detachable panel. The panel can be independently attached to or removed from the door body, allowing for easy appearance customization without requiring complex fastening mechanisms. This segmentation enables the panel to be freely replaced while maintaining a simple attachment structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a glass panel is mounted on the door body, then the outer appearance can be customized, but a gap occurs between the glass panel and the door body
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary component between the panel and the door body. This buffer member fills the gap that would otherwise exist between these two components, providing a transition zone that eliminates the visual discontinuity while allowing the panel to remain easily detachable. The buffer member serves as a mediator that resolves the spacing issue without compromising the simplicity of the attachment mechanism.
3Reliability
If insulation filling is performed for the door, then thermal insulation is improved, but the panel is bent due to impact from the insulation filling or external impact
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is positioned between the panel and the door body beforehand, creating a protective cushioning layer. This buffer member absorbs and distributes impact forces from both the insulation filling process and external impacts, preventing these forces from being transmitted directly to the panel. By providing beforehand cushioning, the panel is protected from deformation while maintaining effective thermal insulation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the panel structure is changed according to different materials or types, then the appearance can be optimized, but the components cannot be shared
Solution Approach 1:
The door body is designed with a universal attachment structure that can accommodate different types of panels (glass, metal, plastic, etc.). The attachment mechanism and buffer member configuration remain the same regardless of the panel material or design, allowing a single set of components to serve multiple panel types. This universality enables appearance optimization through panel selection while avoiding the need for different door body components for each panel type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A home appliance comprising: a door (20, 200) including a door body (40, 400) and a door panel (30, 300) coupled to the door body (40, 400); and a buffer member (301, 3010) provided between the door body (40, 400) and the door panel (30, 300), wherein an adhesive member (460) is provided at a front surface part (452, 4520) of the door body (40, 400) between the door body (40, 400) and the door panel (30, 300) to thereby couple the door panel (30, 300) to the door body (40, 400).