Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator doors require significant force to open due to pressure differences caused by cooling air, and existing solutions often necessitate additional switches that increase material costs and degrade design sensibility.
Innovation Solution
A door opening apparatus that automatically opens the door by detecting the push movement of the user and using a motor-driven push lever, eliminating the need for an additional switch and enhancing user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door opening apparatus is provided with an additional switch, then the door can be opened automatically, but the material cost increases and design sensibility quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switch component from the door opening apparatus, eliminating the need for additional switches while maintaining automatic door opening functionality. The detection module directly senses door push movement without requiring a separate switch mechanism, thereby reducing material cost and preserving design quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection module serves multiple functions: it detects both the presence of a push action and the magnitude of the push movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate switches while enabling automatic door opening based on push detection, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If the door is made heavy and the storage compartment is made large-capacity, then the storage capability is improved, but a stronger force is needed to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening apparatus performs preliminary action by detecting the user's push intent and automatically initiating the door opening process. This eliminates the need for the user to manually overcome the pressure difference and heavy door weight, as the apparatus assists in opening the door immediately upon detection of push movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user's push action and the door opening process. It detects the push movement and activates the push module to assist in opening the heavy door, thereby reducing the force the user needs to apply while maintaining large storage capacity.
3Reliability
If the detection module detects small displacement accurately, then the push pressure can be distinguished from external impact, but the detection precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the linear displacement detection problem into rotational displacement detection through the amplifying gear mechanism. The detection lever's linear movement is converted into rotational movement of the detection gear, which is then detected by the hall element. This dimensional transformation amplifies the displacement signal, making it easier to detect push pressure accurately while distinguishing it from external impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical displacement detection with a magnetic field-based detection system. The hall element detects changes in magnetic field caused by the rotating detection gear, substituting mechanical contact detection with magnetic field sensing. This substitution enables accurate detection of small displacements while reducing mechanical wear and improving reliability.
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 apparatus reduces the force required to open the door and prevents material cost and design quality issues by automating the door opening process without additional switches, improving user convenience and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a hall element provided to detect a displacement of the detection lever
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a door opening apparatus capable of preventing degradation of appearance quality of a door because an additional switch is not provided, and a refrigerator including the same. The refrigerator may include a main body including a storage compartment, a door provided to open or close the storage compartment, and a door opening apparatus provided to detect a moving amount of the door and open the door when the door is pushed.