refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator door panel mounting structures expose coupling portions externally, leading to productivity issues, inaccurate mounting, and a compromised outer appearance, especially when handles and glass panels are involved.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator door panel assembly mounting structure where one end of the panel is supported by an upper or lower cap decor, and the other end is restricted by a restriction member passing through the cap decor or handle, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brackets are mounted on the outside to attach the panel, then the panel can be securely mounted, but productivity deteriorates and accurate mounting position cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling groove, and the coupling member is nested within the door body structure. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external brackets while maintaining secure panel attachment, thereby improving productivity without compromising mounting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling member acts as an intermediary element between the door body and the panel. The coupling protrusion and coupling groove provide precise positioning and secure connection, enabling accurate mounting without requiring external brackets or complex assembly procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple brackets are used to mount the panel, then mounting security is improved, but the outer appearance deteriorates due to exposed brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is extracted from the external space and integrated into the door body structure. The coupling protrusion and groove are formed within the door body, completely hiding the coupling mechanism from external view while maintaining secure panel attachment, thus eliminating the appearance deterioration caused by exposed brackets.
3Ease of operation
If a handle is provided on the top surface of the door, then user convenience is improved, but coupling configuration cannot be arranged and coupling at the upper end becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling groove is positioned at a specific location that does not interfere with the handle arrangement on the top surface. The coupling protrusion is designed to engage with this localized coupling groove, providing strong upper end coupling while maintaining the handle's usability. The local coupling structure is optimized for both strength and compatibility with the handle configuration.
4Reliability
If multiple grooves and installation portions are used to mount a heavy glass panel, then mounting security is improved, but assembly and disassembly operations become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into a coupling protrusion on the door body and a corresponding coupling groove on the panel bracket. This segmentation allows the heavy glass panel to be securely supported by the bracket while enabling simple assembly and disassembly operations. The protrusion-groove interface provides stable mounting without requiring complex multiple groove structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define a storage space and a door configured to open and close the storage space. The door includes a door body including a door liner configured to define a rear surface of the door, a front plate disposed to be spaced forward from the door liner, a cap decor which is connected to the door liner and the front plate to define a circumferential surface of the door and in which a recessed handle is defined, and a door body including an insulator filled between the door liner, the front plate, and the cap decor and a panel assembly detachably mounted on a front surface of the door body and configured to define a front surface of the door. The panel assembly includes a panel configured to define an outer appearance of the front surface of the door and an insertion protrusion configured to protrude backward from the panel and inserted into a front surface of the cap decor when the panel is mounted so as to restrict the panel assembly. The insertion protrusion extends from the outside of a recessed space of the handle in a direction crossing the recessed space.